Amount of storage needed to generate content
Amount of storage needed to generate content
Hey there, for my very first major upgrade in seven years, I went all-in and ordered an R9 3950X, Asus Crosshair VIII Formula RAM, and what I thought was a 64 GB 3600 DDR4 setup (plus some extras, but those aren’t the focus here). When the components arrived, I noticed the label on the website for the RAM was confusing—I thought it was two 16 GB sticks, but in reality it was two 8 GB sticks totaling 16 GB. With just two of these kits, I ended up with only 32 GB instead of the expected 64 GB.
The shipping took a while too—G.Skill Royal sticks are tough to find here. If I return them and order new ones, I’ll not only add about 220 euros to my budget, but I might also face a month-long wait (though I understand other RAM options work just fine). My current tasks include gaming, streaming, and video production (1080p and 4K loads are common). I know 32 GB is more than enough for gaming, but my other activities raise some concerns.
Specifically, can 32 GB of 3600 MHz RAM handle streaming with OBS at 1080p (6000 kbps) while running games? Will it suffice for 4K work in Premiere Pro and even more demanding projects like After Effects? If I upgrade to 8K later (the CPU should handle it and I’m planning an RTX 3090), will 32 GB still be sufficient? I’d really prefer not to wait for a new memory card because I’m eager to get this build going.
Thanks in advance!
Edit: I should have noted that this matters for app performance—mostly I create content for YouTube and Twitch (live only), so codecs will likely be H264.
I also have 32 gbs of RAM and rarely push it to its limits, which resolves the issue for number one. From what I understand, 32gb should suffice for 4K, but I’d recommend 64gb for 8K. This really depends on background tasks and the length of videos you’re creating.
You might need to pay an additional 220€ because of the return policy and the limited availability of compatible parts. The 32gb storage should work, but finding suitable RAM sticks is unlikely since they’re rare and often overpriced compared to regular options. It’s okay if you don’t get a good scratch disk or NVMe drive either. The 8k model is still far away, so focus on staying prepared for future upgrades without even higher price jumps.
Running 64 GB of RAM usually means adjusting clock speeds or memory timings for stability. 32 GB provides a solid base for most creative work, while the faster option will help boost performance on this system.
It's accurate that the 32 kits are significantly more expensive, costing around 118 each compared to the 32 kits I previously assumed. This difference brings my confidence closer to normal. Regarding future upgrades, it seems they may become pricier, but given my channel growth projections, I anticipate a Threadripper upgrade in 2023-2024 with DDR5 support, which should cover the need for 32GB until then. I wasn't aware of the stability concerns at higher RAM levels. Much appreciated for your clear explanations! Overall, thank you all for your prompt replies—they've eased my concerns and reassured me about maintaining my current setup.
Sure, once you move beyond dual channels into quad channels per channel, the memory controller faces more stress. Stability might be achievable at rated XMP speeds, but it usually depends on whether the motherboard supports the memory type. This explains why load RAM sticks are often smaller for server and workstation setups that handle bigger amounts of RAM.