I've been using 4 sticks of 8GB RAM for a couple of years now, having upgraded from 2 sticks of 8GB when I added two more identical sticks. Recently, I heard that using 4 RAM sticks might not be optimal for performance if the CPU isn't compatible with running all 4 channels efficiently. I've noticed some stuttering during use, and I'm concerned if this is linked to my current setup. My system has a Ryzen 5 5600X and an Asus ROG B550 motherboard. What do you all think about keeping 4 sticks in this setup?
5 Answers
4 sticks on AM4 usually works well as long as the frequency drop isn’t drastic. I did see a slight reduction in my speeds when switching from 2x8GB to 4x8GB, but it was still able to hit the expected frequencies. If you're stable with 4 sticks, stick with it!
The Ryzen 5000 series is much more tolerant with 4 RAM sticks than the older generations. Given that you’re on a B550 board, you shouldn’t run into major issues, especially if your XMP is set at 3600 MT/s or lower. Your setup should be able to handle it without any worries!
If you haven’t fine-tuned your RAM settings from auto, you might be losing performance. Tuning the sub-timings can really help. Give it a try!
Actually, your system is running in dual-channel mode, even with 4 sticks. If those 8GB sticks are single-rank and you’re reaching the expected XMP speeds, using multiple DIMMs can help performance. If everything is running well and you're hitting your timings, there's no real need to switch to 2 sticks. Just keep an eye on those speeds!
Have you tried adjusting the timings for better stability? I came across a video where 4x8GB outperformed 2x16GB on similar CPUs. It's worth a shot!
Right, I've got a 32GB single-rank kit and noticed some latency issues because I’m into VR. It really hates on RAM latency!