Seeking guidance on memory improvement.
Seeking guidance on memory improvement.
I have assembled numerous PCs, giving me experience, though I haven’t built one in several years and things have changed a lot. Right now I’m using a 1st generation Intel Core I7 Lynfield. I don’t play games, but I work where speed and ample memory are important. I was about to place parts for a new build and wondered what I was doing when it came to RAM choices. Here’s what I almost ordered yesterday, by the way—I’ve always preferred Asus and Corsair products. MB: Asus Corshair VIII Hero Wi-Fi. CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. Cooler: Crosair Hydro H116I Pro 280 mm Drive: Samsung 970 EVO Plus. Case: ASUS ROG Strix Helios GX601 PS: EVGA Supernova 850W. I’m fine with overclocking the memory, so I was thinking about 32 GB or 64 GB. I’d like either 2x16 GB for a total of 32 GB or 2x32 GB for 64 GB if I later add more. Should I choose 4x16 GB over 2x32 GB for better stability or for overclocking and long-term reliability? When I check Newegg and Amazon, I see RAM that looks good but isn’t often listed in the QVL, so I’m unsure if it’s reliable or just a limited selection. I often read that Asus boards are solid for RAM, maybe I’d have better results with a MSI model. Some of the memory I’ve seen is: CMW64GX4M2D3600C18 Corsair Vengeance 2x32 GB = 64 GB @ 3200 MHz OR CMW64GX4M2E3200C16 Vengeance 2x32 GB = 64 GB @ 3600 MHz. Neither of these options appears in Asus’s QVL, nor are Corsair Dominator modules commonly listed. I’d prefer two modules if I want flexibility later, but starting with 32 or 64 GB might mean the system would need replacement sooner. Would it be tougher to get a stable build with 64 GB than with less memory? Any advice on RAM or other parts I’m considering?
I'm not very experienced suggesting RAM, but I built a 2x8 = 16GB Corsair Vengeance kit at 3000MHz and it performed well. With Ryzen I noticed a clear speed improvement using faster RAM. I don't see much benefit from changing the size or lowering it, it really depends on what you prefer. For a stable setup I recommend 3200 c16 memory; above 3000-3200 MHz you won't notice much gain. Overclocking should be possible with XMP profiles—just enable them in the BIOS and they should work fine. Hope this helps!
I would choose the 3600MHz RAM. Faster RAM speeds are better for Ryzen processors. Others suggest 3600 is ideal, though 3200 offers solid performance too. XMP profiles don’t ensure stable overclocking.
Neither of those modules is listed in the QVL. That’s okay. Also, how stable would 2X32Gig be compared to 4X16Gig? Would a combined total of 64Gig match the stability of 32Gig? Let me know, DB.