Stuttering mess ?
Stuttering mess ?
Recently I completely overhauled my PC, swapping out the motherboard, CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage. Here’s the current configuration:
AMD Ryzen 5 5500
MSI B450M-A PRO MAX
Corsair Vengeance RGB RS 16 Gb DDR4 3200 MHz CL16
Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 6600 8GB
Crucial P3 1Tb Gen3 NVMe
The only components I reused are the power supply unit (EVGA 600w 80+ white) and the fans.
I only have one RAM stick installed, but I was expecting two. I ordered two 8GB sticks, but it looks like I made a mistake.
The only issue is that my old PC couldn’t run Starfield or Hogwarts Legacy without stuttering. The new system still struggles, especially with Starfield—it’s the worst performance I’ve seen. The audio is often buggy, sometimes there’s no sound for a minute, frame rates drop, and it freezes briefly when I open the quick menu. The GPU and CPU usage never reach maximum, and temperatures stay around 70°C.
I considered buying another RAM stick, but I want to be sure before making a purchase. What are your thoughts?
You might consider replacing your existing PSU because it isn't of high quality, though this isn't the main concern for you. Keeping two RAM sticks is crucial for gaming as it enables dual-channel operation (provided the slots are correct), which significantly boosts memory performance. It's best to purchase a new set of two sticks that match each other, but if you can find another identical one, it should work. Additionally, activating XMP in the BIOS settings will allow your RAM to operate at its rated speed.
The wattage you have selected fits well, but the quality isn’t great. If you plan to upgrade the graphics card soon, choose a higher wattage model. Even within your current budget, there are improved options from the Thermaltake line and a Zalman that offers better performance without breaking the bank. Unless you’re only adjusting RAM, spending over $100 on a top-tier unit isn’t necessary—it would likely be around a quarter of the overall build cost.
Consider also the monitor, cable, and sync type you’re using. The graphics card should work well with a Freesync display, which is just a minor point. Prioritize getting the right RAM first, then evaluate performance.
Stuttering refers to a temporary shortage of a crucial component, in your scenario the CPU. Ryzen relies heavily on quick RAM for optimal performance. Running in single-thread mode isn’t ideal. Consider swapping your RAM for a 32GB 2 stick package that matches your CPU/motherboard setup. A 3600 speed shouldn’t cost significantly more. It looks like Hogwarts is one of the rare titles that demands over 16GB RAM to function smoothly. You absolutely require 32 GB of RAM right now. :: Hogwarts Legacy General Discussions
GPU - 2080 Super CPU - i7-9700k RAM - Before 16 GB, now 32 GB 2560 x 1440 NVIDIA DLSS - Quality When I had 16 GB of RAM, even at low settings, I experienced severe stuttering, dropping to 10-20 FPS for up to 15 seconds. In certain environments, my FPS could jump to 120...
steamcommunity.com
So you're supposed to set up Starfield on an SSD, but I accidentally installed it on an HDD. After fixing the mistake, it runs fine except for Hogwarts Legacy, which has a 32GB RAM requirement. I won't upgrade my RAM just yet since I already ordered another stick, which matches the one I have.
Good day to all, and thanks for your assistance.
Your plan "B" is to use a matched kit for the Ram if the second stick fails to function correctly with the first.