Mismatching RAM
Mismatching RAM
I’m considering a RAM upgrade with two 8GB modules and a 16GB stick. The listings you found are for 16GB DDR4 sticks, but your system uses a Ryzen 7 3800X with dual-channel support and an ASRock Z370 chipset. Using three sticks should work well, though ensure the motherboard supports dual-channel configuration. It’s unlikely to notice a performance drop since your CPU is optimized for dual-channel memory.
Occasionally it seems feasible as you describe, but it's usually not advisable. Differences in voltages, speeds, and compatibility can lead to unstable performance or even a non-functional system. You might have seen a video about this on YouTube a few years back—worth checking out. In short, it’s not a good idea.
You confirmed the voltage, speed, and clock latency were consistent across both units. However, you're concerned about the differing stick sizes—2x8GB versus 1x16GB—and whether adding more sticks might affect dual-channel performance, especially since Ryzen supports it.
You confirmed the voltage, speed, and clock latency were consistent across both units. Your concerns about the varying stick sizes—2x8GB versus 1x16GB—and whether adding more sticks might affect dual-channel performance are valid. It’s worth checking if the motherboard supports dual-channel with multiple drives.
AMD offers flexible mode allowing two sticks to operate in dual-channel while the third stays single. In flexible mode, the system typically prioritizes dual-channel memory usage and switches to single-channel when capacity is reached.
3200 c16 offers a flexible enclosure allowing the use of various RAM modules. Not all RAM types work well together; sometimes you can't meet the minimum frequency, or they might not boot at all. It's wiser to purchase a pair of 2x16 kits and trade in your 2x8 kit to prevent compatibility issues altogether.