Question about Ram, seems like it might be discussed earlier.
Question about Ram, seems like it might be discussed earlier.
You're considering increasing your RAM from two sticks to four. The system specs are: CPU - Ryzen 5 3600X, Motherboard - Gigabyte X570 AORUS Master, GPU - RX 6750 XT 12GB. You're weighing whether to purchase two 16GB modules or a single 8GB pack to add to the existing setup. You intend to keep the same exact RAM configuration if you decide to expand.
Choosing 2x16GB is a better option for upgrading, as RAM quality varies and matching the model isn't guaranteed.
Unless you need essential components, trade in your current sticks for a 2x16 kit. Matching specifications still yield different ICs unless you purchase from a brand linked to an IC manufacturer like the mentioned crucial or Klevv. Buying 3200C16 ballistix ensures you receive a micron revision D9WFL or 3600C18 Klevv bolt (XR). You’ll consistently get a Hynix DRAM. If you add another 3600C18 Tridentz, expect a different RAM model which can lead to XMP instability or complete failure due to compatibility issues. Some ICs simply clash with others. The only case for 4x8 would be performance gains from dual-rank RAM over single-rank, unless you’re experienced with overclocking or buying RAM yourself.
I share the other opinions here—2x16 offers more safety, yet I upgraded my system with extra RAM years later without any problems. If you're aiming to double capacity, the 4x8 setup could be more cost-effective than purchasing another 2x8 kit. The choice really depends on how much you can profit from selling your dimmers. It's up to you! Edited April 2, 2023 by KeDoBro Removed instability misconception
Official supported speeds are fully confirmed to function but faster options don’t guarantee better results or stability if they succeed. Most Ryzen 3000 FCLK tops around 3800-4000, which is well below the actual limits set by Intel. The exact cap varies depending on the used chipset, especially with heavy workloads like BI-DIMM, which may struggle to reach those numbers due to thermal constraints. IMC can’t sustain them, so performance drops significantly. I’m curious about the sources of claims about poor performance or instability—where do they originate?
I was thinking overclocking both RAM and IMC might introduce some issues, but I wasn’t aware the controllers could go much higher than their rated speeds. Your explanation was pretty clear, and I really appreciate the guidance! I’ll adjust my response to avoid mentioning instability.
It's fine, everyone was there to learn. You should focus beyond the listed specs and notice the real speeds people achieve. Usually, you just browse other sites, Reddit, or even hardware forums to get a good sense. Channels like Buildzoid (Ahoc) show how far things really go, and sometimes advertised numbers don't match reality. I've seen with an ASRock H55M (claimed 2600+ but no one has surpassed 2200 on hardware forums), that claims can be misleading. CPU listings are pretty conservative, but technically they're not wrong because the chip will hit the advertised rate—just not as fast. In practice, I've had my old X5660 run at 2200 MHz DDR3, which is slow for DDR3, but it supports up to 1066 MHz and can even hit 1520 MHz with the right sticks in a 1x3 setup.