Yes, dual channels offer various kit sizes to suit different needs.
Yes, dual channels offer various kit sizes to suit different needs.
Hey everyone! I'm facing a tricky RAM setup situation. My original build in 2017 came with a 2x4GB package, upgraded to 16GB later with another 2x4GB kit. Now I'm back to needing more memory and aiming for 32GB or higher. I'm worried this might be my last upgrade before replacing the whole system, but the board still has plenty of life left. I was considering swapping in two sticks (2x16 + 2x4) for a 40GB configuration, but I'm unsure if that would really hurt performance much. Dual channel should still work, though I'd need to check how it affects speed.
I share a comparable build on what used to be my secondary machine, now running a Ryzen 5 1600X. I’m using a 16+8GB per channel setup, totaling 48GB dual channel DDR4. Even with less than ideal choices—two different brands and speeds—I’m seeing the RAM operate at its slower rated speed, around 2666MT/s. I haven’t experienced any performance or stability issues so far. Since I’m not an overclocker or performance enthusiast, my focus is mainly on reliability. For a TrueNAS setup, it seems safe to proceed. Results might differ, but in the worst scenario you’d still have at least 32GB of RAM.
The 4GB modules aren’t very useful (ranging from 32 to 40...) and can slow things down. I’d just throw them away. It’s unclear if buying DDR4 is a smart move right now, unless you’re already running low on RAM for your tasks.
if you're not running low on RAM just let it sit and wait for an upgrade to AM5. I think the 5700X3D won't drop in price soon, and by Zen6 those AliExpress 7700s (155-165$) would be even more affordable. The 5700X3D is only comparable to the 7600 unless you're talking about games like Factorio where extra cache gives it an edge. By then, it might not matter much unless prices fall from 150$ on AliExpress in a year or so.