I'm looking for advice on selecting the best RAM for my system. Currently, I have: 2x8GB Kingston RAM, an RTX 2060 graphics card, a Ryzen 5 5500 processor, and an MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX motherboard. I'm considering swapping out my current RAM for two 16GB sticks, but I want to ensure I'm making the right choice. What do you all recommend?
2 Answers
I definitely recommend moving to 16GB sticks. While 2x8GB could handle general gaming, for resource-heavy games like some modded versions of Minecraft, you’ll likely hit a wall. The key stats are RAM size and speed—3200 or 3600MHz are both solid picks, and based on my experience, I haven't seen significant fps differences in gaming. Just make sure to stick with good brands like Corsair or Crucial. And remember, if you go with mismatched kits, they won't run at their optimal speeds. Lower latency numbers (like CL16) are preferable too for overall performance.
You might want to go for 3200MHz CL16 since it's a great balance of price and performance. If you can find some affordable 3600MHz CL18, that’ll also work well, but it’s not a drastic difference for gaming. Just make sure you’re buying a matched kit of 2x16GB to avoid compatibility issues. It sounds like your build could definitely use the upgrade for heavier games or mods!
Will 3600MHz RAM be compatible with my system? I had trouble with my current RAM running at only 2666MHz with a Ryzen 5 1600.
I’m looking at the Corsair DDR4 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz Vengeance LPX Black. Is that a good choice?