Storage upgrade options: 3x8GB versus 2x8GB plus 2x4GB.
Storage upgrade options: 3x8GB versus 2x8GB plus 2x4GB.
Hello! You're considering upgrading your RAM. Your current setup includes a Ryzen 5 3600, 8GB of Corsair memory, and a 1TB SSD. You're experiencing performance boosts in games like COD Warzone and notice high background usage. You're weighing between 2x4GB or 1x8GB options. Since you don't expect needing 32GB soon, it might not be urgent right now. Let me know if you need more details!
This setup involves combining two 2x4s with an existing 1x8. It's a single channel configuration. If you already own a 1x8, add another one for dual channel. Make sure both have matching latency and speeds so all sticks run at the same rate as the slowest one.
Previous experiences show mixed results. I used a configuration of 4GBx2 + 8GBx2 DDR3, which functioned properly. To optimize performance, I placed the slower RAM in the primary slot so it could utilize the correct timings. Using three 8GB modules would result in only 16GB operating in dual channel, with the rest running single channel. The decision hinges on future plans: if you plan to add another 32GB, choose one 8GB stick and ensure compatibility; otherwise, opt for two 4GB sticks and select a compatible option as closely as possible.
The IMC struggles frequently, often causing confusion that leads to running all items on a single channel.
It's interesting that 16GB isn't sufficient for gaming. Are you certain your RAM usage exceeds 90%? If not, you might want to investigate other factors causing frame drops. Sticking with 2x8 or moving to 4x8 would be better choices. The alternatives you're thinking about aren't optimal and could slow down your system overall.
Regarding paper maximum bandwidth, 2x8, 4x8 and 2x8+2x4 will perform similarly. In real scenarios, DPC/rank might begin to influence results. If single rank modules are used, the order would likely shift: 4x8 would surpass 2x8+2x4, which in turn would exceed 2x8. This variation is only noticeable in applications with very high memory demands. I haven’t found solid proof that impacts gaming performance.
I was keeping an eye on my system with Afterburner and noticed RAM usage exceeded 15.5 GB in Warzone (while Discord was running and other programs were open). This strongly suggests a memory issue. Since I only experience FPS drops after extended play sessions, I plan to check RAM usage again during longer sessions. I found another forum suggesting Warzone or Modern Warfare struggles with cache management, which could explain the delay. I intend to try 4x8GB and 2x4GB configurations to compare performance. Thanks for your suggestions—look forward to hearing your thoughts!