I'm facing a memory bottleneck when working since I have numerous tabs open and I also use Adobe editing software, which tends to max out my memory. Currently, I have 2x16GB of DDR4-2400 RAM, and I'm looking to either expand my capacity or potentially replace it. I was considering buying Corsair 2x16GB DDR4-3600 sticks to just increase my total RAM. However, I've read that it's generally better to stick with two sticks instead of four. So, should I go for 2x32GB DDR4-3600 and replace my existing sticks or should I add to what I have? Also, should I look into upgrading my motherboard as well? My current specs include an MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX motherboard, AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor, Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4-2400, and a Gigabyte EAGLE OC GeForce RTX 3060 Ti. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Using four sticks can stress the memory controller, which could lead to lower speeds, so I recommend sticking with two sticks for better stability and performance. Replacing your current memory with a faster kit will make a noticeable difference in your setup.
It's definitely better to use matched pairs for better performance, especially on your motherboard. If you think you might need more than 64GB later, consider starting with 64GB (2x32GB) now and keep your current RAM as backup for later upgrades. You're correct about needing that pair in different slots for good channeling.
Got it! I'll make sure to set them up correctly. Thanks for the pointers!
Since you're using a lot of heavy applications, replacing your RAM with a 2x32GB DDR4-3600 kit is a great idea. Ryzen typically benefits from faster RAM, so speeding things up while increasing capacity is a win. Adding sticks might let you run your system, but it'll likely throttle due to the slower speeds of the older RAM. I'd say go for the upgrade!
Totally agree! Capacity is crucial for your workload. Plus, if you upgrade to 2x32GB, you'll be future-proofing your setup.
That's interesting! I assumed more sticks would just give me better capacity. So it's really about balancing speed and stability?