I'm planning a gaming PC with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RX 9070 XT, but DDR5 memory is surprisingly expensive. I mainly want to play racing games with extensive mods, modded Cyberpunk 2077, and start experimenting with PC modding in general. Since I've mostly played on console, I'm unsure whether 16GB using 2x8GB sticks will be enough, or whether I should prioritize 32GB from the beginning.
4 Answers
16GB can still work for lighter racing-game mods and some normal games, but it leaves very little headroom. If your budget absolutely cannot stretch to 32GB, one 16GB stick now and another matching stick later is possible, although you’ll temporarily lose some memory bandwidth. With DDR5, avoid planning around four sticks if you can, since four-stick configurations can be more difficult to run reliably.
For the games and modding you described, 32GB is the better choice. Heavily modded Cyberpunk and large mod setups can push past 16GB quickly, especially with Discord, a browser, or other programs open. Ideally, buy a matched 2x16GB kit rather than starting with 2x8GB and trying to add more later.
I’d bite the bullet and get 32GB as a matched kit from the start. Buying 2x8GB now and adding another pair later can be less reliable, and mixing memory kits is never guaranteed even when the specifications look identical. Selling the original kit later can also be more hassle than simply buying the right capacity upfront.
The answer depends heavily on the game and how ambitious the mods are. Basic mods may be fine with 16GB, while a heavily customized Cyberpunk installation can run into memory limits. For an AM5 system with the 7800X3D, a 2x16GB DDR5 kit around 6000 MT/s is a sensible target if it fits the budget.
The 6000 speed isn’t a strict requirement, but it’s commonly recommended because it tends to be a good balance of performance and compatibility on this platform.