I'm building a new PC and have come across a dilemma regarding RAM installation. I have two 32GB sticks of DDR5 6400 and two 48GB sticks of DDR5 6000. My initial thought was to put the 32GB sticks in slots A1 and A2, and the 48GB sticks in slots B1 and B2. However, I've been reading that the proper way is actually to place the RAM in A1 and B1 as well as A2 and B2. This seems counterintuitive to me, and I want some clarity on the best practice for maximizing performance. My motherboard is the Gigabyte X870E AORUS ELITE - WiFi 7.
2 Answers
Mixing different RAM is generally not a great idea. Each set may have different speeds and timings, which can lead to instability. Stick with one set if possible; it’s just easier to manage. If you must mix, install the 32GB sticks in A2 and B2 and the 48GB sticks in A1 and B1, but expect some performance compromises.
Honestly, just follow your motherboard manual. It may not be intuitive, but that’s often the best way to ensure compatibility. Most configurations nowadays should work with either arrangement, but going by the manual is key. For best performance, I’d recommend sticking with one set of RAM to avoid issues.
Thanks for the tip! I'll keep that in mind.