A thought for my fellow 3rd gen Ryzen enthusiasts...
A thought for my fellow 3rd gen Ryzen enthusiasts...
For reference, I typically use an R5 2600X with Corsair Vengeance LPX 1 x 16 GB @ 3200 MHz (clocked down to 2133 MHz or similar). I never managed to push the RAM beyond that speed without running into POST problems because it was dual rank. With your setup in mind, specifically for those who have an R9 3950X, if you were to get dual rank memory and try XMP or manually adjust the clock speed (from 2133 to 3200), would you encounter any difficulties? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I understand what you're aiming for.
The Ryzen 3rd generation typically uses a default memory speed of 3200 MHz, which means you should be fine unless your processor is faulty. Many users report around 3600 MHz being achievable, with about 90% experiencing that. I’m among the less fortunate, as my 3900X struggles to maintain stability at 3600 MHz—its FCLK sits at 1800 MHz and its RAM doesn’t hold up at that speed. I adjusted it down to 1766MHz FCLK with 3533 MHz RAM, and it performed surprisingly well when we fine-tuned the settings. In short, even a failed lottery win wouldn’t stop you from running 3600 MHz RAM smoothly.
I hadn't realized the memory controllers weren't ideal, which helps explain some of my problems. While I didn't fully address your question, I value that small note. Let me try to explain it a bit more. I'd appreciate it if you could provide the booklet that came with your 2600X so I could demonstrate it for you. Regarding the 2000 series, there was a variation in RAM clock rates based on whether the chips were single-rank or dual-rank. As for your main query—whether single-rank and dual-rank memory still differ in performance on Ryzen 3rd generation chips—I'm looking to clarify this further. I apologize if my initial wording confused things, and I hope rephrasing helps pinpoint the answer more clearly.
I often mix up rank and channel. I haven’t had direct experience, but from reading others’ stories, understanding dual versus single rank became important when testing RAM ICs at their full limits. When focusing on reaching maximum OC speeds rather than absolute limits, the difference between single and dual rank shouldn’t matter much. In this scenario, running 3200 MHz RAM doesn’t require tuning the memory controller, so it makes sense to prioritize single over dual rank.
I believe rank and dual rank don’t relate to the number of 'sides' in the RAM chips on the PCB. There’s one 16-chip RAM module, but it uses both sides of the board; it remains a single-rank setup. On the other hand, I think the memory capabilities are determined by the motherboard instead of the CPU. AMD only mentioned the suggested memory limits, but thanks to their Infinity Fabric they’re quite adaptable and can accommodate any RAM speed above what they specified. Regarding QVL (Qualified Vendor List) X470 Taichi Ultimate, it does support Dual Rank RAM up to 3200MHz, though only two sticks are compatible and certain RAM models are listed. For Gigabyte, their Aorus X470 Gaming 7 features allow Single Rank RAM up to 3600MHz and Dual Rank RAM up to 3333MHz for the Pinnacle Ridge CPU, as per their QVL. Both boards have varying supported speeds due to PCB routing constraints, which can affect performance. If you share your motherboard model, checking its manual or QVL page will clarify its limits. *According to the specs, the board supports up to 2933MHz Dual Rank RAM for Pinnacle Ridge CPUs.*
3200 MHz is the highest memory speed supported by the third generation Ryzen. At this rate you maintain your original performance. The issue lies with your 2600X not handling the stick at 2933 MHz, even though you mentioned it can't exceed 2133 MHz. If your voltage was properly configured for XMP standards, it's likely the hardware is faulty because 2933 MHz matches the stock spec for that model. Although first and second generation Ryzen memory controllers had limitations, they should function at their intended speed of 2933 MHz.