I'm looking to upgrade my RAM to 32GB for my Ryzen 5 5500. I primarily use my PC for gaming, but I'm also starting to experiment with rendering. What would be the better option: going with two 16GB sticks or four 8GB sticks? I'm just trying to figure out which setup would be more beneficial in terms of performance and compatibility.
5 Answers
While adding two more sticks to what you already have can work, there's a chance of running into issues. DDR4 isn't as forgiving as people think; it's just less likely to have problems compared to DDR5. If you want to minimize risks and improve the potential for running XMP/DOCP profiles properly, I highly recommend getting a 2x16GB kit and selling off your old sticks if possible.
I ended up going with 4x8GB because I already had a 2x8GB set. I just made sure to get the same exact model because I've read that it helps with stability. So far, it's running smoothly!
Just to give you a quick summary: 2x1R DDR4-3200 offers better alternatives than 4 sticks. Your choice really depends on your specific use case and the speed of RAM you're aiming for.
If you already have 2x8GB sticks, it might be cheaper to just add another 2x8GB, but you'll want them to match the exact specs of your existing ones for the best compatibility. However, getting a 2x16GB kit means you won't have to deal with compatibility issues, although it could be pricier. You could also sell your old sticks to help with the cost. If your current 2x8GB sticks are slow, going for the faster 2x16GB option would definitely be the way to go!
I've heard that Ryzen processors typically don't handle four sticks as well as two. But they do seem to be getting better with newer models. Some users have reported success with 4 sticks, especially if they're fast enough, like with the Cezanne architecture, which is said to have a better memory controller than Vermeer. Just be cautious and ensure you have compatible sticks.
I'm also using 4x8GB Corsair Vengeance at 3600MHz CL18 and it's performing well with my 5600X and 3060.