You want "fastest" memory?
Then 3x 8GB DDR 3 NON ECC 1333MHz CL9 is the fastest you can do. (Total 24GB)
ECC RAM will be tiny bit slower, but I personally prefer ECC more than that tiny bit extra speed.
4x4 will be slower than 3x8, not because of total capacity, but because the CPU is triple channel. The 4th stick will slow down the system in benchmarks (but I don't think anyone can tell the difference in real world.
To make your "whole system" fastest (not just the memory fastest). 3x16 + 8 should be the way to go. The Even though you may only need 16GB, but the system will use the remaining 40GB as cache to speed up to entire system. So, academically, that should be the fastest.
However, if you prefer install RAM in matched size, or only use single brand, size, speed, spec... etc to avoid possible compatibility issue. Then 3x16GB is the "optimum" choice.
Anyway, the above is simply to answer your question. Not my recommendation.
In your case, my recommendation will be 3x8GB 1333MHz CL9 2Rx4 ECC RAM server pulled DIMMs from eBay (or any place / web store that available to you). They are cheap, and rarely have any issue. 3x8GB should be at or below $70, pretty cheap IMO.