Which configuration suits you better: 2x16GB at 3600MHz or 4x8GB at 3200MHz?
Which configuration suits you better: 2x16GB at 3600MHz or 4x8GB at 3200MHz?
AMD Ryzen models compared with different RAM configurations on the R5 5600X. Earlier this week, I purchased two 16GB modules at 3600MHz CL18 (Patriot Viper) for £113. Steve suggested that using two sticks could potentially save up to 10% in CPU performance. The expense of four 8GB modules at 3600MHz CL18 seemed excessive, but a higher-end option at 4x8GB at 3200MHz CL16 for £114 might be worth considering. What are your thoughts?
Unless you're targeting very high frame rates and using a monitor with at least 240Hz, you likely won't notice any change.
If the sticks are Dual Rank chips, it's essentially swapping a 2x16 for a 4x8 setup. Don't jump into any quick decisions—wait for the next update from Gamers Nexus.
I believe Steve's comments about "leaving performance on the table" are somewhat exaggerated. While Zen 3 does show improved results with 4x8 compared to 2x8, the gain is usually under 10 fps in most scenarios. If you're already allocating 32GB of RAM for rendering or editing, the extra speed is a valuable bonus. For gaming purposes, it's better to stick with 2x8 and not worry too much about it.
They mentioned the link you shared. These are dual-ranked DIMMs. Most of the 16GB sticks will be dual-rank.
I placed an order for the Patriot Viper 2x 16 GB RAM (3600 MHz CL18) at £113. The best 3600 MHz CL16 RAM I found is the Adata XPG Spectrix RGB, priced at £100 for two 8 GB units. For a total of 32 GB plus delivery charges, it comes to around £203.50. This is nearly double the cost of what I’m currently paying.