4x8GB vs 2x16GB: 2x16GB is faster and cleaner for most builds

2x16GB is the better choice for new builds — it avoids the latency and frequency issues that come with four sticks on daisy-chain motherboards. 4x8GB can be 5% slower and may struggle with XMP speeds, but most people won’t notice in gaming or daily use. If you already have 4x8GB, keep them; if building fresh, go 2x16GB for future upgrade room.