I'm trying to decide whether to keep my current 4x8GB RAM setup or invest in a 2x16GB kit for $125. I'm running an RTX 3070 Ti paired with a Ryzen 7 5800X. Will upgrading to the 2x16GB make a noticeable difference in gaming performance?
4 Answers
Honestly, there's no need to change. Your current setup will perform similarly to a 2x16GB configuration under most conditions. Unless you hit stability issues or need higher speeds, just stick with what you have.
The main reason to switch would be if you wanted to run higher speeds that your four sticks can't handle. If both configurations can run at the same speed reliably, you won't see any major differences in gaming performance.
If you're using a Ryzen 7 5800X with DDR4, keeping your 4x8GB sticks should be fine. DDR4 handles four DIMMs really well, and most likely you won't see a performance gain from switching to 2x16GB unless there are specific stability issues at higher speeds.
You might find that 4x8GB can actually perform just as well as 2x16GB in some scenarios, depending on your motherboard and RAM design. A small performance hit isn't usually worth the hassle of an upgrade. Just check if your motherboard has any speed limitations with four sticks; that's the crucial factor to consider.
What specs should I look at to determine that? I haven't bought the motherboard yet since I've just got the CPU.