I'm currently upgrading my PC with a new GPU, CPU, and motherboard but just realized my old RAM is DDR4, and the new motherboard only supports DDR5. I previously had 32GB (2x16GB) of RAM, and I'm a bit shocked at the current prices for DDR5. Should I go for a cheaper 32GB of DDR5, or would 16GB be sufficient for my needs? I'm upgrading to a Ryzen 9000 CPU and a Radeon 9070 GPU. I'm not very tech-savvy; my friend built my computer for me, and I mainly need simple answers. Thanks!
6 Answers
If I were you, I'd return the 9600X and get a used Ryzen 5700X or even the 5700X3D, which you can pair nicely with your new GPU. Trust me, you'd be in a good spot performance-wise, just like with the 9600X.
Can you find a reputable vendor for the 5700X3D? All I see is the 5800XT. I'd keep the new motherboard for future upgrades instead of rolling back.
Honestly, with RAM prices being what they are, you could opt for a single 16GB stick now. You'll have to deal with single-channel speeds, but when you have the budget later, you can add another stick. Going for 2x8GB means you'll likely need to buy a full 2x16GB kit later since DDR5 doesn't perform well with four sticks at once; that's going to cost you more in the long run. Just make sure any additional stick matches in speed and timings to avoid instability.
While 16GB isn’t luxurious, it's still perfectly usable for gaming. You might run into issues if you keep a lot of demanding applications open, like multiple tabs in Chrome. Most gaming will work just fine with 16GB, but if you're running big games like Space Engineers at maximum scale, you'll exceed that limit. Manage your memory usage wisely, and you should be good to go!
For most gaming scenarios, 16GB should be completely fine. It covers 99% of games without any issues. If you're planning to do something more demanding or professional, then you'd really want more RAM, but for general gaming, 16GB suffices.
What CPU are you currently using?
I just upgraded to a Ryzen 5 9600X from a Ryzen 5 3600.
I saw a 32GB kit on sale for $261 recently. If money isn't an issue and you want the easiest route, just go with 32GB. Since you're upgrading, it's worth it; getting 16GB means you might be downgrading your setup in the long run.
I really don’t want to go through the hassle of returns. I'm just looking for advice on the best RAM options based on budget—should I start with 16GB and wait to upgrade, or just buy the 32GB now?