Consider your Ryzen 5900x and choose between 4GB+8GB or 2GB+16GB RAM based on your needs. Thank you for your guidance!
Consider your Ryzen 5900x and choose between 4GB+8GB or 2GB+16GB RAM based on your needs. Thank you for your guidance!
Hi everyone, I just acquired the MSI 3080 Ti from Newegg for $1769 plus tax. I primarily use my computer for 3D modeling (SoftwareWorks, Rhino) and rendering (KeyShot, Blender). I’ve wrapped up my latest purchase, but I have a question. A friend is recommending two options:
1. Four 8GB RAM sticks from Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3600 CL16
2. Two 16GB RAM sticks from G. Skill Trident Z NEO DDR4-3600 CL18
My concern is whether the Crucial sticks are single-channel with 16GB, which would require me to sacrifice future updates for two dual-channel sticks. Another suggested Trident Z as an alternative.
At the moment, the price difference is minimal—around $10—but I’m leaning toward getting four sticks for better stability, especially since they offer over 15% more consistent performance. I’m okay with the price gap if it means a steadier build.
Additionally, I understand AMD won’t release a newer CPU for the AM4 socket anytime soon; DDR5 is on the horizon, and 12th Gen Intel is once again outperforming AMD.
Someone claiming performance drops with more sticks isn't understanding the topic. To be honest, it's mainly about rankings, not the number of sticks. Still, having four sticks ensures at least two ranks, and four single-rank sticks often outperform two single-rank sticks on today's processors.
Yep, but not a dumb ass. Had it right the first time. 2 sticks OC better than 4 in most cases, so there's more performance to be had. I'd do the two by sixteen as well. This kit would be the one I'd get. F4-3600C16D-32GTZN Be sure the kit does NOT have a "C" at the end of the above part number.
Your F4-3600C18D-32GTZR should feel similar between cl16 and cl18, yes. If you skip overhauling, it should perform well as is.
It's about the die quality and scaling you need. The CL 18 kit likely won't reach its rated frequency. Keep in mind the CPU memory controller supports only 3200mt/s, so investing in a higher-end kit would be smarter. The B-Die set you mentioned is very fast—16-16-16-36—and would be measurable. It’s more likely to run its rated frequency in your system. @freeagent might have some tips on fine-tuning as well.
The ideal quantity of DIMMs matches the channel count, making two sticks more stable. Performance improves with four total ranks, though this can be reached using either dual-rank or single-rank configurations. While two sticks let you add two more later for upgrades, this isn't usually the optimal path. It's smarter to swap your current setup on the used market and purchase a new two-stick kit with higher capacity. Compatibility problems may arise even with identical kits later, since manufacturers frequently alter dies over time—assuming you can still locate the same kit for upgrades. In short, it shouldn't influence your choice. The 5900X is highly sensitive to memory, thanks to its multi-CCD architecture and demanding tasks. For casual gaming, you won't need the extra CPU. Aim for 3600MHz CL16 and push it to 3800MHz or higher if possible. Anything below that sacrifices performance significantly.
I just received it from the one you sent. Thanks for your help!