Consider enhancing your memory with an upgrade or purchasing a new one at 32.
Consider enhancing your memory with an upgrade or purchasing a new one at 32.
I've been considering increasing my system's RAM to 32GB. Initially, I thought I wouldn't need that amount. However, when I run Android emulators (like Bluestacks) and virtual machines (Virtualbox), I often run out of memory. My current setup has a Corsair Vengeance LED with 16GB (two 8GB) DDR4 2666MHz modules. Since my motherboard supports dual memory, should I purchase two 16GB modules or combine two 8GB modules? I also learned that Ryzen CPUs benefit from faster RAM speeds. With a Ryzen 5 3600, what's the best approach? Also, if I upgrade to higher-speed RAM, would it make a noticeable difference? Updated March 29, 2020 by TheawesomeMCB
Higher ram speeds improve the performance of Ryzen chips on multiple cores. Some motherboards struggle with 4 dimms, making a 2x16GB DDR4 3000 or 3200 setup ideal for optimal upgrades.
Ryzen prefers quick RAM, though the gap might not ruin your existing units. The typical upgrade would be adding two more 8 GB sticks at 2666 MHz. That should work just fine. If you really needed higher speeds, two 16 GB sticks at 3200 MHz are a solid choice, but they’ll cost twice as much as the 8 GB option—something I’d suggest against.
Without a RAM OC support, running 4 DIMMS should work fine. Having 4 2666 sticks shouldn’t cause problems. The problem might actually lie more with the CPU’s memory controller rather than the motherboard. That’s why high-speed RAM and multiple sticks can sometimes lead to issues. But 2666 should be okay.
I highlighted the faster memory because it relates to how the motherboard organizes its memory connections. The daisy chain setup is simpler and more cost-effective, while the T-topology offers superior performance for multiple high-speed channels. This type is commonly found in premium ASRock models.
I believe problems might appear after 3600 or 4000 milliseconds. I don’t see 4 sticks of 2666 causing an issue... The performance gap between 2666 and 3000 shouldn’t be significant. It’s not worth paying twice the price for 32 GB just to get new RAM all at once.