RAM buying advise
RAM buying advise
You're evaluating your current setup and planning a potential upgrade. The question centers on whether adopting newer RAM technologies makes sense in the coming years. Considering a 2x16GB kit could be a smart move if you plan to upgrade to a Ryzen system later, as it aligns with future standards. On the other hand, sticking with your existing 8GB could keep you within current norms until you decide to repurpose or replace it. Weighing the benefits of staying ahead versus maintaining stability is key here.
It seems you're asking why you'd need a larger storage capacity. Are you dealing with virtual machines or video editing? Most applications don’t require more than 9-10GB, including background tasks, and this demand is unlikely to grow much before DDR5 becomes standard.
We're expecting a future update to DDR5, but it'll take some time before it becomes available and will cost a lot. That's why I'm choosing the 3600 C16 kit now, particularly if it offers a solid deal.
A quick search says DDR5 has an estimated release date for 2020, so I'd assume a system upgrade in 2-4 years can take advantage of that for a decent price? I probably wouldn't mind waiting an extra year for DDR5 to get to a good price when I do want to do that system upgrade in the future. I'm also concerned if new dies will make DDR4 even better. Samsung discontinued their b dies, so I won't be able to find them for a good price. A dies have good capacity, but their performance is pretty bad right now so it's not worth considering.
The Ryzen 4000 line remains as am4. It seems AMD might roll out DDR5 on the AM5 platform around late 2021, though details are unclear. Intel's future plans are uncertain. The 4000 series looks like a solid upgrade option and could serve you well for several years.
I believe Intel overall comes across as a bit absurd, yet I hope it evolves into something more impressive in the future—though it's still quite a way off right now.