I'm looking to install 256GB of RAM since my X870e motherboard supports it, but my current CPU, the Ryzen 9900X, maxes out at 192GB. I'm curious about a couple of things: 1) Will my system even boot with the 256GB installed? If so, how much RAM will Windows actually recognize? 2) If I opt for 192GB instead, using combinations like 64GB and 32GB sticks, will that configuration work? I appreciate any insights from those who might've tried this setup!
5 Answers
Honestly, if your CPU can’t support that much RAM, it might just not boot properly. There’s a good chance it’ll just refuse to POST until you pull some sticks out. I’d stick to what your CPU can handle for peace of mind.
Nothing dramatic happens; your Ryzen 9900X will run fine with 256GB, but stick to the latest BIOS for best results. Just don't expect full capacity utilization due to CPU limitations.
The X870e does support 256GB, but keep in mind the 64GB sticks are still rare and generally slower. For reliability, I’d recommend going with 4x48GB sticks to balance out speeds and stability if you choose to go for 192GB.
I'm honestly just curious about what you're planning to do with that much RAM. For most users, it seems like overkill unless you have specific memory-heavy tasks.
Yeah, seems a bit excessive unless you need it for something niche or specific!
Using that much RAM on the Ryzen 9900X isn't ideal since it's a consumer CPU. If you REALLY need that much, you might want a server build instead. However, if you have the X870e motherboard, it should handle 256GB, assuming the latest BIOS is installed. Just don't expect to run at top speeds with all that RAM, especially with 4 sticks. Windows 11 Pro can support up to 2TB of RAM, so you'll be good there.
Yeah, there are reasons someone might want that much RAM outside of just speed. Sometimes it's about handling larger models or datasets.
If lower speeds are fine by you, then server hardware isn't necessary unless you require specific features.
That makes sense; it’s better to avoid headaches and stick close to the CPU's limits.