Yes, the same amount of RAM is needed.
Yes, the same amount of RAM is needed.
It depends on how you plan to use the laptop. If you want both sticks to match, then a 32-gig stick works. Otherwise, you can choose one stick and upgrade the other if needed.
It should function, though it won’t be perfect. I believe only about 16 gigabytes will use dual-channel (the entire 8-gig stick plus 8 gig from the 32-gig stick), or everything will operate in single-channel mode. If you need 32 gigabytes, pair two 16-gig sticks for optimal results. Before investing, monitor Task Manager—adding more RAM won’t help much if you’re not utilizing all the available memory.
Modern CPUs can manage dual-channel RAM more effectively. Typically, a 32+8 setup supports dual channels until you hit 16GB, then switches to single-channel for the remaining 24GB. While this works in theory, some applications may struggle during the transition from dual to single-channel memory. It might be better to invest in a 32GB configuration with two sticks for smoother performance.
I understand you're planning to increase your RAM from 32 gigabytes to 64 gigabytes eventually, but right now you're limited by budget. For gaming, more than 16 gigabytes isn't necessary, and for video editing it's even less critical. You might start with 16 gigabytes and see how it performs before upgrading further.
I just put in two 2 X 16 gig sticks of DDR4 3200 RAM and combined them with two 2 X 8 gig sticks of DDR4 3200 that came with the PC. That didn’t work well. The computer had trouble starting and said I needed to change my settings in the UEFI/BIOS. I checked the memory and thought I had 48 gigabytes, but instead of reaching 3200 Mhz, it was only running at 2133 Mhz. I tried overclocking in BIOS to 3200 Mhz, but it didn’t help. Removing the 8 gig sticks fixed everything and let the system boot normally at full speed. It seems my Asrock B660M motherboard doesn’t handle mixed RAM sizes well and slows down when they’re combined.
Did you set up the modules in the sequence 8-16-8-16? Are all the modules using identical XMP timings? Did you restore XMP functionality, or were you simply attempting to run DDR4-3200 RAM without adjusting the module voltage? I follow that exact setup—48GB on a Ryzen processor with a less capable memory controller than any Intel 12th or 13th generation chip—and it functions perfectly. I’ve even pushed my modules beyond their rated speeds and it performed well. It seems the problem lies in the fact that your new modules may use different memory chips or timings, requiring further manual adjustments to align correctly.
At first, I tried to set the overclock to 3200, but it didn’t work. I arranged them in every other slot as 8-16-8-16. I’m not clear on what XMP means or how to locate it in the BIOS settings. My motherboard is an Asrock B660M-C.
XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) describes a configuration saved in RAM that details timing and voltage settings. When you skip enabling XMP, the RAM uses the default JEDEC standards, which tend to be slower. The actual performance you see isn’t guaranteed at first use—it depends on BIOS settings. Setting only the speed to 3200 might fail because most XMP modules need a higher voltage than the standard 1.2V. For example, DDR4 kits often require around 1.35V, whereas the default is 1.2V. Adjusting the voltage separately can help ensure compatibility. BIOS menus usually have an easy option to activate XMP. If you’re unsure about your specific model, look for a similar layout on the front panel; most Asrock boards follow a comparable structure. However, if your RAM mixes chips from different manufacturers or models, the XMP profile might not apply correctly. Advanced BIOS settings can help select compatible profiles. Tools like CPU-Z let you inspect voltage and timing specs for each kit, showing whether both sticks share the same ratings. For optimal teamwork, choose the highest supported speed in your BIOS, set the appropriate voltages, and manually configure memory timings in the OC section. This approach can unlock full performance across DDR4-3200 configurations.
Thank you for the details, YoungBlade. I'll continue testing.