Recall of the Ryzen R9 3900X
Recall of the Ryzen R9 3900X
You're looking to upgrade your system for better performance, especially with high-resolution photo editing. The timing of your current RAM is important—it should match the speed of your motherboard (CL15 is correct). For a 32GB DDR4 16GB kit aiming for higher speeds, you might want to consider CL14 or CL16 timings to get the best stability and performance. The CL18 option is generally not recommended unless you're certain about future needs. Make sure the new kit supports RGB lighting if that's important to you.
Trident Z NEO running at 3600 mhz works well, and aim for CAS latency around 16 ms or less. Your current RAM should still perform adequately. CAS latency refers to how quickly the RAM can access data in its columns—lower values mean faster response times. If you play competitively enough that even a small delay matters, reduce it further. Just stay under 18 ms and you’ll be fine.
It depends on the budget. The timing isn't that important compared to how often you need it, so I'd go for as much capacity as possible starting at 3600MHz, then think about the slowest options. RGB can be costly if it's on a RAM stick, so keep that in mind.
You're considering RGB RAM for your PC, focusing mainly on the memory itself rather than other components like the LED strips. It sounds like you're aiming for a clean, aesthetic look without extra features. Regarding the specs, CL14 3200MHz RAM is indeed faster than CL16 3600MHz, so it's a solid upgrade if you're looking for better performance. However, since you mentioned not needing high-frequency timings, the difference might be minimal in everyday use. You're thinking about getting a four-pack to fill empty slots and enhance the appearance. As for the price, both options you looked at offer good value, especially with potential discounts. The 4x8GB Trident Z seems like it would give you a nice visual boost without much extra benefit, while still being compatible with your current setup. Just make sure your motherboard supports dual-channel configurations. Overall, the Vengeance RGB looks appealing for its style, and it could be a good investment if you enjoy the look.
I'm using a 3900X + X570 Aorus Xtreme motherboard paired with an XPG Spectrix 4x 8GB DDR4 3200CL16 RAM that has XMP enabled. It's working perfectly, and I don't think I've reached the 13GB limit—let alone 32GB. You're absolutely right about RGB; it really boosts performance as most people understand.
Sure, RGB boosts performance, that's widely understood. I mainly prefer it for the stealthy RGB effect—no need for the whole case to glow like a Christmas tree. Just want specific elements like the "Nvidia RTX" text on my 2070, the Corsair logo on my H60, and the RAM to stand out. And honestly, I often use more than 15GB of memory, especially when working with high-res photoshop—it really drains the RAM.