Hey everyone! I built my PC a couple of years ago and it came with 2x8GB RAM sticks, which worked fine until recently when I've started playing more demanding games. I want to upgrade to 32GB, but I'm not very tech-savvy. Here are my questions:
1) If I have A B A B RAM, will I be able to add 2 more 8GB sticks to have a total of 32GB?
2) I heard that using 4x8GB sticks instead of 2x16GB can put more power strain on my PC. Is that true? Which option is better?
3) If 4x8GB is okay, do I need to get the exact same model of RAM sticks I currently have, or can I mix different brands?
I'd love to hear your thoughts before I make a purchase. Thanks! ^-^
2 Answers
In terms of mixing RAM, it’s best to stick with the same model if possible. Different speeds or timings can cause stability issues. If you decide to go with 2x16GB, just double-check your motherboard specs to ensure it can handle them, or you might end up with some surprises!
I'd recommend going for 2x16GB sticks instead. It's usually better for performance, plus less power consumption with just two sticks instead of four. If you get 4 sticks, they all need to match exactly for the best results, which can be tricky if you buy different brands or models.
Just make sure your motherboard supports the new RAM speeds and sizes, or you might run into compatibility issues.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely double-check the motherboard specs before buying any new RAM.