Any trade-offs with larger memory setup?

[Smalltimer]

I'm in the process of researching a Core i7 workstation and I was wondering if there were any drawbacks to going with 32 or 64GB of RAM in terms of performance and stability. ie. would it still be feasible to expect to overclock a system with 32GB or more of memory?

[Gunslinger]

I ran a 3960X at 4.6GHz for months using 32GB (4x8GB) of TridentX 2400MHz RAM in a RIVE with no issues whatsoever.

[AMDforME]

The higher the RAM quantity the more likely that your system will be somewhat limited when overclocking. If you have an actual need for 32 or 64 GB. RAM then that should be more important than whatever minor reduction in overclocking is created by the added RAM. If your O/S and programs can't use 32-64 GB. of RAM then it's just wasted money. It's useful to keep the number of DIMMs to a minimum as more DIMMs mean more access time required for the IMC and thus can limit the overclockability of a system.

[Smalltimer]

I ran a 3960X at 4.6GHz for months using 32GB (4x8GB) of TridentX 2400MHz RAM in a RIVE with no issues whatsoever.

Thanks Gunslinger, that's very encouraging information.

The higher the RAM quantity the more likely that your system will be somewhat limited when overclocking. If you have an actual need for 32 or 64 GB. RAM then that should be more important than whatever minor reduction in overclocking is created by the added RAM. If your O/S and programs can't use 32-64 GB. of RAM then it's just wasted money. It's useful to keep the number of DIMMs to a minimum as more DIMMs mean more access time required for the IMC and thus can limit the overclockability of a system.

I've read a number similar comments along the way. Though I suppose I was hoping for improvements. Specifically where unlocked processors are concerned along with memory performance/tolerances improvements etc.

Needless to say, I guess they'll only be one real way to find out.

Thanks for the responses btw.

[zanzabar]

I've read a number similar comments along the way. Though I suppose I was hoping for improvements. Specifically where unlocked processors are concerned along with memory performance/tolerances improvements etc.

Needless to say, I guess they'll only be one real way to find out.

Thanks for the responses btw.

socket 2011 gives you 4 fast sticks since it has a quad channel memory controller. while the 2011 is slower at the same core count than the 1155 it dose do 2x as much ram so i guess that is what you are looking for since you could do 32GB in 4x8GB.