Hey everyone! It's been a while since I last built a PC, and I'm gearing up for a new one. I'm planning on using a 9950X3D for a mix of gaming, Lightroom, and occasional video encoding. I've got my eye on a motherboard (GIGABYTE X870E AORUS PRO ICE), and I'm wondering about RAM options. I've read I can use DDR5 speeds ranging from 6000 MHz to 8000 MHz. Is the difference in performance between these speeds significant? Also, I've heard that going higher than 6000 MHz can lead to stability issues since those speeds are often labeled as overclocked. I think 64GB should be sufficient for my use, but I want to make sure I get the right speed and latency (the CL number?). I'm comfortable spending around $200-250, but I don't want to fork out $400 for only a minor performance boost. What do you all suggest?
3 Answers
Check out your motherboard's QVL (Qualified Vendor List) for RAM compatibility. It’s a great way to ensure you’re picking something that’ll work smoothly. Generally, most users won’t notice a huge difference in performance, although specific applications, like Topaz Video Enhance AI, might benefit from it. If 64GB fits your budget, go for it, but if cost is an issue, 32GB is still a solid choice. Also, 48GB can be a more budget-friendly option that you might consider.
For AMD setups, the sweet spot for DDR5 is around CL30 at 6000MHz. That combo offers a great balance of stability and performance. If you’re looking at memory size, definitely aim for 64GB (2x 32GB sticks) considering your use case.
Given you have a 9950X3D, you should definitely target 32 or 64GB of RAM, with DDR5-6000 speed and a CAS latency of 30 for the best performance. Keeping it at this speed will help with stability.
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