I'm building my first PC, mainly for gaming but also for some video editing. I was originally planning to buy a matched 2×16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR4 kit for about $200. A friend has offered to sell me a single 8GB PNY XLR8 RGB stick for $40, which would give me 24GB total if I combined it with 16GB of RAM. Both kits run at the same speed, and compatibility software doesn't flag any issues. Would 24GB be enough for my use, and is mixing different brands or capacities a sensible idea, or should I stick with a matched 32GB kit?
2 Answers
You can mix RAM brands if the specifications are compatible, but matching capacity, speed, timings, and voltage is safer than relying only on the advertised speed. Two separate kits can contain different memory chips even when their model names look similar. Used or discounted 2×16GB kits may be worth checking, provided the seller is trustworthy and the memory can be tested.
For gaming alone, 16–24GB is generally usable, and 32GB may not produce a dramatic difference in frame rates. For video editing, multitasking, and keeping several applications open, 32GB gives you more headroom and is the better long-term choice. Extra memory can also be used for caching, so the benefit may show up as smoother multitasking rather than higher FPS.
If you do combine the modules, run a proper memory test and verify that the system is stable with its intended memory profile enabled.