16 gigabytes versus 32 gigabytes of RAM paired with a Ryzen 5800X processor
16 gigabytes versus 32 gigabytes of RAM paired with a Ryzen 5800X processor
Hi, I made a new build and currently have 16 gigs of 3600mhz ram for my Ryzen 5800x. I noticed windows uses around 5 or 6 gigs of ram, I heard there isn't much of a difference in performance if you're just using it for gaming (which I am) but I also heard the 5800x is extremely sensitive to memory and can't find anything on youtube covering RAM with new gen ryzens. Will I gain any benefit to gaming if I upgrade to 32 gigs?
For purely gaming purposes, Ryzen focuses more on memory speed than capacity. If you're mainly gaming and keep things simple—avoiding many open tabs or background apps—16GB works well. However, choosing 32GB provides flexibility with memory usage, which is why I have that amount installed.
Gamers Nexus noted that Zen 3 benefits from using four RAM slots instead of two, emphasizing that it wasn't the quantity that affected performance but rather the number of PCI lanes utilized. However, the testing setup used a 5600X, leaving uncertainty about whether results would match with a 5800X.
You're focusing solely on gaming and not using other programs. Many people think this means they can handle anything without issues, but it's important to consider your memory usage. I prefer using tabs because I keep them open while gaming and don’t close them when I take a break. This can push me past the 16GB limit. My upcoming setup will have 32GB, which should be enough for heavy gaming if you run many apps at once. For those in the US, buying used RAM on eBay is a budget-friendly option.