32GB RAM at 2666MHz compared to 16GB at 3200MHz—what's the performance difference?
32GB RAM at 2666MHz compared to 16GB at 3200MHz—what's the performance difference?
I’m considering an upgrade for my Ryzen 5 3600 setup on a MSI B450m Mortar Max. I currently have 16GB of 2666MHz memory from HyperX, and I’m thinking about getting a T Force Delta 16GB 3200MHz module. There are two main points I want to evaluate. First, I’d like to utilize all the memory available, but research suggests my HyperX RAM will limit me to around 2666MHz. The benefit here is gaining double the capacity—expanding from 16GB to 32GB. The alternative would be swapping out the two 2666MHz sticks for just the 3200MHz T Force module, which would free up space but reduce total memory. Which option do you think is better?
I currently lack tasks that fully utilize all 16GB of RAM. However, some benchmarks suggest increasing the clock from 2666MHz to 3200MHz can boost performance noticeably, especially in games. Since I don’t play high-end AAA titles due to my weaker GPU (1050 mini), but mainly enjoy Valorant, I’m curious—will upgrading to a 3200MHz kit bring meaningful gains?
It seems you're wondering if higher frame rates are necessary and whether your display can handle them.
That's a helpful observation. It made me think about upgrading to a 144Hz monitor around $150. Thanks for the guidance!
It doesn't make sense to aim for higher FPS or better performance if your screen can't show the numbers you're getting.
You can boost your monitor's speed, though I've mainly worked with settings between 60 and 75Hz. It's unclear what 75Hz could reach—perhaps up to 90 or 85Hz. You could also overclock your RAM to 3200MHz, provided the IC and RAM have sufficient power, potentially reaching around 3600MHz.
I own a 60 Hz monitor capable of up to 85 Hz, so performance varies by screen. Combining 3200 MHz with 2666 MHz would likely keep it at 2666 MHz unless you manually boost it. The CPU memory controller operates at one speed at a time, choosing the slowest component in the setup. Therefore, sticking with just 3200 MHz seems safer unless you really require 32 GB of RAM.
He actually says his dad's crate can go up to 85 hertz, but the picture turns out very blurry and odd. So I went with 75 hertz instead, since going higher causes strange blurring effects.