Significant change in moving from 16 GB to 32 GB with a 32 GB PC3200
Significant change in moving from 16 GB to 32 GB with a 32 GB PC3200
I'm preparing an AM4 build for a 12-year-old on a budget, targeting older games. Chosen components include 2070 Super and Ryzen 3600. I have two 8GB Ballistic LT Sport DDR4 modules and a B450 Mobo with four 8GB sticks. I want to know if using four 8GB sticks on the B450 will make a noticeable difference compared to my current setup.
Using four sticks of RAM would put too much strain on your integrated memory controller. It's better to use two sticks instead of four. Also, a 12-year-old won't be handling 32GB of RAM as I understand it.
Update your post with complete hardware details and operating system information. Provide PSU specifications, including make, model, wattage, age, and condition (original, build, refurbished, used). List all connected peripherals. Specify whether the network is wired or wireless. Confirm if the matched RAM is approved by the motherboard’s QVL and installed according to the user manual. Review the manual thoroughly, paying attention to fine print, restrictions, and diagrams. Verify the recommended memory needs for your intended games, noting that only required amounts will be used.
Are your CPU's "In Use" RAM limits shown in the Memory section of Windows Resource Monitor a concern? Standby RAM (dark blue) gets freed when needed to expand the active memory area (green). When most memory is occupied, adding more RAM would help. If you have significant amounts of both standby and free RAM, the benefit won't be there. Another sign of low RAM capacity is an increasing number of Hard Faults per second in the most active processes. A few faults are normal, but a rise into the tens or hundreds signals the need for more memory.
You might notice a decline in performance or the system failing to start. 16GB works well for that setup. Gaming benchmarks using memory capacities.
Yes, you'll probably notice a significant change.
It's likely the post won't appear.
Ram is sold in kits for a specific reason.
A motherboard needs to handle all the RAM according to the same voltage, case, and speed specifications.
The internal design is tailored to the kit's capacity.
RAM from the same manufacturer and part number might vary in manufacturing over time.
Some motherboards, especially those with Ryzen, can be quite sensitive to these changes.
This becomes more challenging when multiple modules are added.
It's essential to match the RAM for optimal performance.
Given you have 16GB, it seems likely to be compatible initially.
Avoid purchasing a budget PSU of 500W.
Upgrading a graphics card is usually the first step for gamers, but a 500W power supply might not be suitable.
Nvidia's requirements for an RTX 2070 are 650W:
https://www.nvidia.com/content/geforce-g..._Guide.pdf
Seek options like 750W or higher with a minimum of a 7-year warranty.
The extra cost for 850W is generally minimal.
There are several factors to consider here. First, simply increasing the amount of RAM doesn't automatically improve performance. You'll notice a difference only when moving from smaller capacities like 16GBs to larger ones like 32GBs. For gaming, this usually isn't the situation, but we're approaching a point where it becomes relevant.
Second, as Lutfij mentioned, using more memory sticks compared to fewer can actually lead to worse performance. This applies only if you exceed your system's maximum capacity. It won't cause harm, but the extra effort from the memory controller does slightly affect speed. Remember, the effect of adding more than available RAM is significantly greater than the impact of changing the number of sticks.
Third, Geofelt highlighted that using mismatched RAM modules increases the risk of compatibility problems. Sticks with different frequencies, timings, or voltages may not work together, even if they fit your motherboard. In the worst case, the whole system might fail. In the best scenario, it might run without issues but default to the lowest acceptable configuration for both types of RAM. This could mean a performance drop compared to using just two sticks, though it might still be better than exceeding your maximum capacity.
Based on your setup and needs, begin with two sticks and evaluate. If you see high usage in Task Manager and suspect full memory usage, consider adding more sticks. Otherwise, any performance problems are likely due to GPU or CPU rather than RAM.
If the Thermaltake 500w PSU belongs to a TR2 or Smart series, it's best not to use it with this equipment if you care about performance. These units often have worn components and can cause significant problems, especially since they're not new and may not meet current standards. Most of these parts are low quality, leading to serious issues when used. At 500 watts, you're well below the recommended power for a 2070 Super, and combined with their poor build, it's a risky setup. What is the precise model number of that unit?
Also, could you share the model of your B450 motherboard? Ryzen processors tend to be sensitive to memory configurations, particularly when using multiple DIMMs in a single package. It’s possible the Crucial Sport kit might not fit well with your board or memory controller, depending on its design.