Get guidance on improving your RAM performance.
Get guidance on improving your RAM performance.
Hello everyone. I'm considering increasing my desktop's RAM from 16GB to 32GB. My system runs an i7-5820k on an Asus X-99A board, which supports quad-channel DDR4. When it was built around 2015, the 16GB consisted of four 4GB Corsair Vengeance 3000MHz units. I'm unsure if I need to buy another set of four identical 4GB sticks to keep the quad channel setup intact or if adding two 8GB sticks would work fine. I found an eBay seller offering two sets of a matching 2x4GB kit, which should preserve the configuration. My local used electronics shop also has two 8GB sticks (Vengeance 3000MHz) with a warranty, priced slightly lower. If keeping all four 4GB units doesn't offer extra benefits, saving a bit on costs might be better. I'm planning to upgrade to a high-end laptop soon—something like an i9-13900H with 32GB RAM—to replace both my old desktop and a less powerful convertible. A 14-inch Asus model would be ideal. Upgrading could save me money on electricity bills, especially since even a top-tier laptop uses less power than my current machine. Given I've been keeping it for years, replacing it now seems reasonable. If the cost of doubling the RAM to around £35 (about $43 USD) is worth it, it might improve performance during multitasking and video editing. It could also make the old desktop more appealing when I sell it. Thanks for your advice!
Offer your items for sale. Purchase new 4x8GB or 2x16GB storage.
You're looking for a 4x8 configuration instead of 2x16GB. Don't hesitate to sell your current setup—opting for the 4x8 is a smart move.
Thanks for the advice, I wasn't considering selling my 4x 4GB stick and using that money for an upgrade to 4x 8GB. The issue is that I can't locate any sellers offering 4x 8GB of the same type. There are plenty of listings for 2x 8GB, but combining two kits from different sellers still leaves me without a complete set. Purchasing a brand new 4x 8GB kit would cost about five times more. I think manufacturers aren't focused on keeping prices low for less common RAM types. Maybe I should explore other brands or models of 4x 8GB DDR4, especially if I'm replacing the existing sticks—Corsair Vengeance 3000MHz might not be necessary. Honestly, I’m leaning toward buying the 4x 4GB sticks from the eBay listing I saw. Or perhaps I’ll just skip it and wait for a new machine with 32GB next year.