I'm planning to upgrade my computer from a 12600K to a 9800X3D and I'm a bit concerned about RAM. With RAM prices getting higher, I'm considering purchasing a 64GB kit now as a future-proofing measure. However, I've heard that the AM5 platform might not benefit much from using four sticks of RAM, which leads me to prefer a 2x32GB configuration. Can anyone clarify the pros and cons of using four sticks versus two? Also, what are the recommended speeds and timings for the 9800X3D? Are there any brands I should steer clear of?
5 Answers
Any Hynix 6000 MHz CAS 30 kit would be a solid choice for your setup. Just remember that with four sticks, you might struggle to achieve high OC speeds, particularly with AMD.
It really depends on your goal. While you can use four sticks with the 9800X3D, getting them to run at speeds over 5200MHz can be tricky. If you mainly want capacity, four sticks might work, but if you want higher speeds, two sticks are the way to go.
If you don't do heavy tasks like video editing, you might only need 32GB. RAM prices are quite high, so it might make sense to wait until they drop and just stick with a 32GB kit for now.
For the 9800X3D, aim for RAM that runs at 6000MHz with CL30 timings. It's best to use two sticks, either 2x16GB or 2x32GB, for optimal performance on the AM5 platform.
I agree! If you're really keen on filling those slots, some brands offer dummy sticks to fill empty slots aesthetically.
Thanks for the tip!
AMD does support four sticks, but the RAM performance isn't as good as with two. If you want to fill the slots for looks, Corsair also has these RGB Enhancement Kits that look great without being actual RAM.
That's a cool idea! I'll check those out.
Yeah, but some games like Tarkov and Cities: Skylines can use up RAM pretty fast. I'm currently at 32GB and it gets fully loaded during gameplay.