Are there still any issues with choosing between 2 sticks or 4 sticks for DDR5?
Are there still any issues with choosing between 2 sticks or 4 sticks for DDR5?
Hi everyone! Is there still an issue with using 4 DDR5 modules versus 2? I remember it was a big discussion a few years back. When building a new system, I noticed most G.Skill memory kits only offer 2 sticks, not 4. The ROG CROSSHAIR X870E EXTREME board and the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB are examples. Would it be okay to have 4 sticks just for looks? Thanks!
It remains an issue since hardware limitations prevent automatic adjustments. The memory controller can't simply be optimized to support 4 sticks running quickly. While some users with 4 sticks have achieved EXPO speeds, this places a heavy demand on the controller and isn't reliable, which could lead to problems even if it manages to start up properly.
I'm among those who complete four 16GB DDR5 6000CL36 kits. My setup runs smoothly at EXPO since the second kit was installed. I wouldn't choose this path if starting fresh now, though I added another unit a year later with a Microcenter bundle. The CL30 versus CL36 difference likely matters too.
Other brands often produce fake sticks, offering just the outer shell and color options specifically for this purpose.
i don't see an amy option for ram fillers besides corsair. it seems to be limited to a single argument and only supports non-rgb slots without alternatives. there are no visible slot covers, but you might try a 3d printed cover as a temporary solution. it’s possible some rams come with dummy slots, or the pcbs are sourced separately. there are mb models with just two slots and a few kits that include two fake rams. i’m not sure if there’s a dedicated ram to m.2 yet, but a 3d printed cooler could work as a placeholder. also, look into fans for cooling—some models fit 120mm units. edited september 21, 2025 by thrasher_565