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RAM: higher capacity vs higher speed (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I am going to upgrade my 8gb desktop pc. I have 2 free slots and 2 slots with 2x4gb 2400Mhz. I will buy 2x8gb with 3600 MHz. Should I put them together and have 24gb at 2400Mhz or should I remove the 2x4 in favor of the 3600Mhz.

I'm asking because I read that when you have 2 different ram speeds it will default to the lower one.

Edit: it's for gaming and I have a Ryzen 3 1200 with a b350m as a motherboard

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

For my applications, quantity is better. Since I do CAD work in addition to 3D scanning with only occasional gaming, I need the capacity.

While I am 3D scanning, I can use in upwards of 30GB of RAM (or more) in one session. CAD work may be just as intensive in the first stages of processing those files. However, I wouldn't consider that "typical" use for someone.

For what you describe, I doubt you will see much of a performance hit unless you are benchmarking and being super picky about the scores. My immediate answer for you is quantity over speed, but you need to test and work with both configurations yourself.

I don't think I saw anyone mention that under-clocked RAM may be unstable, in some circumstances. After you get the new setup booting with additional RAM, do some stress tests with Memtest86 and Prime95. If those are unstable, play with the memory clocks and timings a bit to find a stable zone. (Toying with memory speeds and timings can get complicated quick, btw. Learn what timings mean first before you adjust them as clock speed isn't everything.)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Get the Corsair Vengeance 2× 8GB 3600 kit everyone gets, set the BIOS XMP to Auto so it uses top speeds, and done. More than enough for upper tier gaming.

Spend the rest on a new CPU.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

The vast majority of games work just fine with 16gb RAM. I recommend running your higher speed modules as dual-channel and selling/repurposing your previous hardware.

Unless they are the same brand and specification, patchwork RAM tends to have compatibility issues leading to software hanging and potential crashes. YMMV.

ETA: Honestly you're more bottlenecked by your CPU. I'd recommend finding a used Zen2 chip if you can, such as the Ryzen 5 3600. I have a 3600x in my home desktop with a basic Coolermaster dry tower. I've never gone over 70°F/~21°C on fairly high settings of TW:3K. That should speak enough of Zen2's performance.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Capacity > Speed any time. RAM speed is one of those things that only affects performance in benchmark charts. In reality, capacity is much more important.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

“Any time” is quite absolute and is not always true.

If all you’re doing is playing an esports games like CS:GO, you’ll have no benefit between 16GB and 32GB.

Ryzen’s infinity fabric scales with memory frequency, so there is CPU performance that can be left on the table in that case. Those in pursuit of high and stable framerates (like in esports) will have better results with high speed, low latency memory.

In the end, context is key and use case absolutely matters.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

My point is, even if there is a performance improvement with faster RAM, it usually is in the single digits and usually not worth considering over just getting more RAM.