Hey everyone! I'm facing a potential RAM issue with my setup, which includes an i5 8600k, 32GB DDR4 (using four sticks from two different brands), a Z370-A motherboard, an RTX 3070, and a 750W PSU. I've been experiencing some blue screens, possibly due to a faulty RAM stick. I initially thought about just buying an additional 16GB of DDR4, but given that my current setup is older and the performance has been lagging, I might need to consider a full upgrade to a 32GB kit, even though the prices for that are pretty steep right now.
My PC seems to be taking longer to boot up (like a full minute!), and programs are noticeably slower, but gaming performance is still solid for the titles I enjoy, such as Caves of Qud, Halo CE, and some Final Fantasy games. I also do a bit of programming in Visual Studio and Godot, but nothing too resource-intensive.
If I decide to go for DDR5 RAM, I know I'd need to upgrade my motherboard and CPU as well, and that's an expensive route. Besides upgrading RAM, CPU, and motherboard, are there any other considerations I should keep in mind? Is my RTX 3070 compatible with new motherboards? Also, should I think about moving my Windows installation to a new SSD? Any recommendations for CPUs and motherboards would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Before you spend big on a full upgrade, try testing your current RAM sticks one by one to find any faulty ones. You could still run dual channel with 24GB if one stick is bad. It's also a good idea to check that your OS is installed on an NVME SSD for faster boot times rather than relying on a SATA SSD or HDD.
If you're upgrading to DDR5 eventually, just know you will need a new motherboard and CPU for that. As for your 3070, it should work with most modern motherboards. And definitely consider getting a new SSD for improved speed – it'll make a noticeable difference in performance.
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