Is it better to have 2 16gb or 4 8gb ram. That Cpu is capable of some pretty high memory speeds.

Is it better to have 2 16gb or 4 8gb ram which better for me ? buy 2 more 8gb ram or sell mine ram and buy 2* 16gb btw my cpu is i5 12400f Mar 18, 2016 · I want to run 32GB (for VR experiments) on my Z170 motherboard. Less ranks and or dimms means you can theoretically clock them higher but with modern cpus preference of 1:1 ratio extra ram clockspeed is worthless for many users. I have my ram in a 4 x 4 config and the system sees 16 Gb of RAM. Jul 1, 2025 · DDR4 is pretty efficient, and you won't notice a huge difference unless you're pushing your system hard. Rams to look into : Gskill trindenz neo ( neo better than rgb version ) Crucial ballistix ( best price for amazong quality ) And lately im watchinf team force (t-force) there is an amazing deal for 4000mhz and 18 cl they are Because of rgb I prefer the look slightly more of the 4 8gb sticks vs 2 16gb sticks. Additionally, it's easier on the memory controller to handle 2 sticks relative to 4, so you may be able to get 2 sticks to slightly higher speeds than you would be able to with all 4 slots filled. Oct 26, 2018 · A better option for my pc is 16gb ram 3000MHz or 8gb ram 3200MHz. My mobo has 4 RAM slots. Jan 29, 2019 · My PC currently has 2x4GB Patriot 2400Mhz DDR4 modules. To have the same timing the 16GB module requires more voltage than the 8GB and you can only go so far in voltage before the life span of the RAM is impacted. Apr 4, 2024 · For example, if you have 8GB and 16GB RAM modules, the system will operate at 8GB capacity. 2x16GB will provide better performance overall as opposed to 4x8GB. But 16GB of Fast RAM is going to be better than 64GB of slow RAM. I am not planning on upgrading to 64gb. Each DIMM slot has 2 channels, which means that 2 modules using 4 channels is going to be faster than one module using 2 channels. but would that be good? The single 8GB stick would be of the same frequency and CL of the 4GB one. Oct 22, 2024 · When it comes to choosing the right RAM configuration for your computer, there are several factors to consider. Jul 29, 2024 · 4 Sticks of RAM vs 2: Discover which configuration is better for your PC. Can you combine RAMs with different capacities? They have the same frequencies but differ in capacities. Aug 11, 2021 · Modern 8GB modules are all single rank. From my understanding the four sticks will run in quad channel up to 32gb, and the remaining 16gb of ram in the two 16gb sticks will run in Aug 18, 2023 · Discover the performance differences between single stick & dual stick RAM configurations. That Cpu is capable of some pretty high memory speeds. Learn about performance, cost, and upgrade options. Two sticks is also better if you need to trouble shoot an issue at some point. Oct 15, 2007 · For my up coming build I want a total of 32GB of memory (B550, 5800X or 5800X3D and DDR4 3600). Performance gains is based on how dependent the program is on RAM speed. com In practice, 4×8 GB RAM has the same performance as 2×16 GB RAM. May 17, 2024 · When it comes to upgrading or purchasing new RAM for your computer, the choice between using one RAM stick or two can be a confusing decision. So having 2x8s is the general best practice, better performance than an single 1x16. If you have a computer with 16GB of RAM but only use it for basic tasks, you’re likely not going to see any significant performance gains compared to a computer with 8GB of RAM. Please answer. Room ambient Its been getting close to having my system for a year and im looking for an upgrade because right now i have 8gb but would like to upgrade to 16gb and I have been looking for answers, but the most people have been saying is "2 sticks are easier on the memory controller" or "having 4 sticks does have an impact on performance, but its negligible" Like is there any affect on overclocking RAM or Apr 4, 2025 · Wondering if you can use 16GB and 8GB RAM together? Discover the pros, cons, performance impact, and expert tips for mixing RAM sizes in one detailed guide. Currently I have 2x8gb 2666MHz ram. While it might be a bit pricier, it's a solid investment for better longevity. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each option and help you make an informed decision. Sep 29, 2021 · I have a PC with two 8GB 3200Mghz (ADATA D30) sticks plugged to a Ryzen 3600 on a Gigabyte B550 Gaming X Motherboard. On a quad channel platform, 4 X 8GB will support 4-channel interleave for improved bandwidth, but in most cases this configuration will not support rank interleave as most 8GB DIMM's are single rank. Oct 14, 2021 · Solution 1: 4 by 8gb ram from Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3600 CL16. However, I wanted 32GB and I went with 2 x 16GB because if I wanted to upgrade in the future (I don't know why I would need 64GB, lol) or if I wanted to finally have 4 dimms, I could just buy the exact set I bought and have 64GB. My laptop has 8gb of RAM already installed and I'm planning to buy a 16gb RAM as an upgrade, totaling to 24gb. Should I fill in the other 2 slots with another 8gb ram sticks. Should I just go for 2 sticks of 16gb alone or should/cloud I combine de 4 sticks together? Dec 9, 2024 · Got a question. Hi. Test detailsTested at 1080p resolution. 2x16GB is better, it gives you the ability to slap in an extra 2 sticks if you have a need for it down the line. Jul 25, 2025 · Imagine your computer as a bustling city, where RAM serves as the highways and streets guiding the flow of data traffic. A complete guide to the pros & cons of using 16GB or 32GB of RAM, including specific breakdowns for gaming, working, & other uses. 9 Ive got a laptop that currently has 4gb of ram installed, looking through the activity monitor i can see that its always almost full, so im going to upgrade it. Ram - Teamgroup T-Force CPU - intel i5 12600k MoBo - MSi mag B760 tomahawk wifi ddr4 It's easier to hit XMP on 2 sticks, this is true. I am wondering if it would be better to fill all 4 slots with 8GB of ram each or just buy 2 16GB sticks? I have read that the i7 6700k CPU memory controller can be negatively affected using all 4 slots. Jun 2, 2023 · Installing 2 x 8GB modules is much better than 1 x 16GB module because it allows the memory to run in dual channel. There have been plenty of post by people wondering why they can run fine with 2, but not 4. Upgrade path options are clearly better with 2 sticks if you want to expand later. Apr 22, 2019 · RAM prices have been trending down lately due to falling demand and slower device sales. Generally, AFAIK, ram runs better when operated in dual channel mode which requires sticks of equal size. Should you buy an 8GB or 16GB MacBook? Jun 1, 2020 · 1 I got a laptop with 8GB ram (ddr4) and a free slot. Option 1 I have 2 stick 16GB corsair vengeance rgb pro 3200MHz cl16, and im going to buy 2 more sticks of the same ram off a friend. Solution 2: 2 by 16gb rams from G. So, how much RAM do you need for gaming? The short answer: it depends. More ranks can help with getting more useful effective performance out of ram. One of the programs (Autodesk Inventor) I need the pc to run for my work recommends 64 gb of RAM so my question is, which is superior 4x16gb RAM or 2x32gb RAM? CPU: AMD Both 2 X 16GB and 4 X 8GB will support 2-channel interleave and rank interleave on each channel of a dual channel memory controller. However, if you’re using your computer for more demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, or software development, 16GB of DDR3 may be a better option. Apr 21, 2024 · Jan 4, 2016 33,253 5,028 131,640 Apr 21, 2024 #3 Lvl99Toaster said: i was wondering if I should: 1. Is It Better to Have 2 RAM Cards or 1? Mar 11, 2025 · Is more RAM always better? While more RAM generally leads to better performance, it doesn’t necessarily mean that more is always better. The power consumption is similar to a Pi or even less in idle mode! Is having more RAM better than having matching RAM sticks? My laptop only has one ram stick of 4GB and it would be cheaper to buy one single 8GB stick too. With 8GB of RAM, you might find yourself exploring through a quaint town, where everyday tasks like browsing the web or streaming videos unfold smoothly. The long answer? Keep reading to find out. Capacity: The primary difference between 8 GB RAM DDR 4 and 16GB RAM DDR3 is their capacity. And although installing 4 RAM sticks doesn’t make your RAMs quad channel, it certainly is better than having 2 RAM sticks. Find out which memory upgrade is right for you in this concise comparison. maybe dual channel doesn't work when there is RAM with two different sizes? Hi there, I have a MSI S1151 ATX Z370-A-PRO DDR4 motherboard and 2 x 8GB DDR4 (1x8G) Crucial 2400MHz ram modules. Is it better to have a single 16 GB module of RAM or two 8 GB modules of RAM? Both options would cost me the same Build Upgrade I'm looking to upgrade my PC'S (4 RAM slots) or Ram and my motherboard only supports dual channel so I'm wondering if I should populate the empty slots with additional 8 GB of RAM sticks or just replace the two 8 GB RAM sticks I currently have installed with two 16 GB RAM sticks 0 Add a Comment Sort by: I have 3 8GB ram sticks, you will see them in my partspicker below. Jan 22, 2025 · RAM size is, as the name suggests, the overall capacity of the memory you’re buying. I have been facing memory bottleneck, and want to add more RAM to my current setup. No experience of 32GB modules but I'd assume they're still dual rank. I want 32GB of DDR4 3200 memory, but am wondering whether there's any advantage to 4 sticks of 8GB each vs. 16GB sticks can be both single rank with higher density ICs or dual rank with lower density ICs. Aug 14, 2021 · It depends. Mar 21, 2023 · That's the odds (in my experience at least, though I do go through a fair bit of RAM) for any two random memory ICs, start getting to the area of 3 or 4 like you would have to be to get 4x8GB setups depending on if you buy 3 single sticks or two pairs (a kit of RAM is guaranteed to be the same) and the odds of it not working multiply. Swap one 8 GB stick, add a 32 GB kit to have a total of 40 The amount of memory needed in a laptop varies from person to person, making one-size-fits-all advice unhelpful. If swap is your focus, then with mathematical certainty the 16gb computer will perform better. 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB are the most common sizes right now. That applies system-wide; more cores in your CPU can only be a good thing, right? So, how does that apply to the number of RAM sticks you use? Should you use two or four sticks of RAM for the best performance? Why Does Your Motherboard Have Four RAM Slots? Most consumer-grade motherboards come with four RAM slots; the main goal of Sep 17, 2024 · Ans: If your motherboard supports quad-channel mode, 4 sticks of 8GB RAM is better than 2 sticks of 16GB RAM. That's not actually true because ddr5 uses 4x32 channels instead of 2x64 channels But it's still only 2 sticks of ram, so functionally you Jan 16, 2023 · G'day all, Quick question here: When I built my PC 3 years ago I went with 2x8 (16GB) DDR4 3200MHZ Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro sticks as I was on a budget. Some will tell you the performance is better with four DIMMs versus two, but it's really not. Build Help I'm buying two sticks of 16GB of RAM, at the moment i have 2 sticks of 8GB, should i use only the new 2 sticks of 16GB each or can i add the old 2 sticks of 8GB, to get 48GB (2x16+2x8)? The rams are the same model, same frequency, the only difference is the capacity. higher speed ram in all 4 slots is a headache waiting to happen from my experience. For example, if I have 32GB of ram, 4 x 8GB might be a little better than 2 x 16GB. i have 2 x 16 gb with my 3700x and no issues at 3200 speed. While some argue that using a single stick is more cost-effective, others claim that dual-channel memory offers better performance and efficiency. The more sticks the harder it is for cpu memory controller to run, especially at higher speeds which 6000MHz are. It's better to go 2x16 for a couple of reasons - more stable XMP timings and future upgradeability. Jan 26, 2025 · 8GB and 16GB RAM are sizes of computer memory. Disadvantages: Extremely high cost: 32GB of RAM is typically much more expensive than 8GB or 16GB, which can be a disadvantage for many users. And Which is better 4 8GB RAM or 2 16GB RAM? 4x 8GB works best for a quad channel motherboard, for the usual PC build, 2x 16GB is preferred. Do 4 memory sticks is better than 2 sticks for gaming , tested with ryzen 3600 - 2 sticks vs 4 sticks RAM. Is this true? What is best Jun 24, 2025 · When it comes to upgrading your computer or purchasing a new device, one of the most crucial decisions you’ll face is how much RAM (Random Access Memory) you need. May 8, 2016 · Since Ryzen supports only dual channel , there is no reason to go for 4 sticks. It's also harder to guarantee you'll be dual rank before you buy the ram, however, which can benefit gaming. When comparing 16GB RAM to 8GB RAM, the main difference lies in the amount of memory available for running multiple applications and tasks simultaneously. Jun 15, 2014 · I have this motherboard with two sticks of 8gb ram and I want to upgrade to 32gb. Just depends Reply reply HackerFrosch • Also you can easily add more modules Hi everyone! So, I'm new on PC building and I'm choosing the parts for my first PC, I'm thinking about a 16GB RAM, but I don't know if I should pick a 16GB stick or two 8GB sticks. Dec 12, 2024 · The advantage of 1 x 16GB is that if you want to upgrade your computer to 32GB of RAM, all you have to do is buy another 16GB module. Is 2 sticks of 16gb ram better than 4 sticks of 8? All I want is 32 gb 11 comments Top Add a Comment psimwork I ️ undervolting • 5 yr. And if your OS starts getting into north of 3gb of swap, you are in trouble and will likely see slow down in performance. So I am under the impression that 4 8gb sticks or 2 16gb ones will deliver same porfomance. 2 sticks. Now, I am speaking in general terms because RAM can be Read the manual, specs of your hardware. 󰤧 󱎖 Discussion about the better option between 4x 8gb ram stick or 2x 16gb ram sticks for gaming and performance 󱙈 Cody Kirk 2 are better than 4 5 mos 8 Mike Hansen-Sedor Cody Kirk especially with women 🙄 5 mos 1 Ramyar Salah you only need 2x8 not 2x16 and yes the 2 is better because it have less load on the memory controller 5 mos Aug 14, 2023 · I have a gigabyte b550m ds3h motherboard with 2 sticks of 8gb ram, and I'm looking for an upgrade. So, what should I go for? Jan 19, 2014 · So I'm thinking on going towards 16GB RAM sticks instead of 8GB for future-proofing. But 8GB RAM sticks are 100% single rank, but because you use 4 of them, they are in total dual rank, because you have 2 ranks per channel. So this leaves me favouring the 2*16gb sticks as they wouldn't come as a performance cost, but wold imply have slots for the future (on top of that it seems to be cheaper to!) Should I be wrong or be Jul 16, 2025 · Comparing 8GB RAM vs 16GB RAM laptops for real-life use—learn which one fits your needs for multitasking, school, work, or creative projects. I wanted to ask, should I buy 2x16GB RAMs or just add 2 more 8 gigs? Is there any performance difference between 4x8GB and 2x16GB? Getting 2x16 is much more expensive than adding 2 more 8 gigs. 4×8 GB DIMMs will consume more power and generate more heat than 2x16GB DIMMs. But now would like to upgrade to 32GB. Jan 16, 2023 · In conclusion, whether 4 sticks of 8GB RAM or 2 16 GB Ram is better for you depends on several factors including price and what you intend to use your computer. Overkill for most tasks: If you only use your computer for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and basic office work, 32GB of RAM may be overkill and unnecessary. Ok I have a question here since I’m a PC dummy. Sep 6, 2023 · Confused about installing 2 or 4 RAM stick? Read this in-depth article to get a definitive answer. If you don't do all of that, then 16GB would carry you a bit. With 16GB of RAM, users have more room to work with and can experience smoother performance when multitasking or running memory-intensive programs. I have 8 GB RAM and have no issues with "day to day tasks". I have Asus TUF B450 Pro-Gaming motherboard and it has 4 RAM slots. I can buy one 16GB RAM stick, two 16GB RAM sticks, or just buy 4x16GB RAM sticks to max the board. It depends on motherboard ram slot wiring, dual sided or single sided ram sticks, memory timings, and other things. If you have specific ram brand/model lmk With 8gb ram, you'll be able to browse the web, listen to music, write school papers, and play some light games. - 2 sticks of RAM of different capacity means like 8GB + 16GB means they will operate in asynchronous dual channel mode; faster than single channel but slower than dual channel. What would be better? one more 8GB Ram or a 16GB Ram? 8 + 8 GB = 16GB (dual-channel config) 8 + 16GB = 24GB (not sure about it) I am not sure how this dual-channel thing works. Is it appropriate to install one 16GB stick for now (same brand and clock speed as my current 2*8GB sticks) in either of the two free channels? You will be 8gb less likely to use swap memory if you have the 16gb of RAM versus the 8gb. But based on my own overclocking experience, 2 DIMMs generally allow higher stable frequencies and tighter latencies compared to 4. With higher speed ram modules you may start having A 2RPC configuration can be achieved with four 8GB DIMMs (which are bound to be single-rank, as no memory vendor uses 4Gb ICs anymore), or two 16GB dual-rank DIMMs. Read on for a side-by-side comparison of 8GB vs 16GB RAM and which is best. Sep 6, 2024 · Do you know whether it is better to have 4 RAM sticks or 2 if you want to upgrade your RAM sticks? You can tell the differences in this post. Additional capacity means your PC will have the ability to run more programs simultaneously/switch between them more smoothly. Buying another 8GB 3200MHz and sell the one I have or keep it and buy the same, so that I have 2 ram 16gb 3000MHz. Jan 5, 2006 · i have 16gb ddr4 ram 2*8gb and i want upgrade to 32gb . Jul 6, 2016 · So for my motherboard, Asus Maximus Hero viii, a z170 dual channel board, if I want to go 32gb of ram I should go with (2x16GB), if I want to go 16gb of ram I should go with (2x8gb). I am using an Asrock Z87 extreme 3 motherboard with an i5-4670k processor. Overall, while mixing different RAM sizes can provide additional memory capacity, it’s crucial to ensure compatibility between the modules for optimal performance. It's probably better to have 4 sticks of b die set to XMP, maybe even a slight underclock or slightly higher timings, than to have single rank hitting XMP. If you want say 16 gigs of ram is it better to use 2x8 or 4x4? Jun 13, 2023 · As a rule of thumb, the more RAM you have in your PC, the better. But in a 2 x 8GB configuration, you might have to toss the 2 8GB modules, depending on how many memory slots you have. Cpu will probably be r7 5700g (with b550 mobo) which from my understanding only has max dual channel. Actual performance gains likely depends on how data distributed between the two sticks. One of the most common questions is whether it’s better to have one stick of 16GB RAM or two sticks of 8GB RAM. If you’re using your computer for basic tasks, 8GB of DDR4 may be sufficient. . Dec 17, 2024 · In conclusion, whether 16GB of DDR3 is better than 8GB of DDR4 depends on your specific needs and usage. If it does not support quad-channel and only supports dual-channel mode, 2 sticks of 16 GB of RAM can be better and cost you less. Not only will the "four slots filled" run slower, but 4 x 8GB is not a supported configuration on the XPS 8950. Is 16GB equal to 2x8GB? Unveiling the truth behind them. 1 x 16GB RAM vs 2 x 16 GB RAM - how much will it improve gaming experience? Hi all, First time building a PC, so would like to hear the thoughts of reddit's wisest souls on this. In this comparative analysis, we will delve into the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of Jan 17, 2019 · I have a Lenovo Legion T730 prebuilt and was debating if i should get 2 8gb sticks of ram or add one more 16gb stick to my already owned one that came with the system? will the 2 16gb sticks be a better choice? My MOBO has only has 2 slots. Motherboards with 4 slots are just dual channel (2 slots per channel). You are so vague that what can I say? Read the manual. Can you help me summarize everything and why its better for dual channel to have 2 modules and quad channel to have 4 modules? May 2, 2025 · The primary difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM is the amount of memory available for your computer to use. May 15, 2024 · According to extensive benchmarks at LinusTechTips, the gaming performance difference between running 2x16GB or 4x8GB in dual channel modes is within margin of error. This is where the name “Random Access Memory” comes in. I bought 16gigs of Kingston predator hyperx DDR4 3000mhz ram, i thought I was getting two 8GB strips but I was sent out four 4GB strips, my question is, other than the 4 strips taking up more space on my board is there a difference in having more ram cards or is it just a less efficient use of space? For instance would the performance of a single 16GB strip be the same as 4x 4GB provided they In pretty much any case, 2 sticks of ram is better than 4 sticks which is better than 1 stick (or any odd number of sticks). Other factors like memory controller, the RAM itself and the CPU play an equally decisive role. But deciding between 8GB of DDR4 vs 16GB of DDR3 depends on a few factors Apr 5, 2023 · You'd be hard pressed to notice the difference between 16 gb RAM and 32 gb RAM "for gaming and day to day tasks". I just ordered another 2 x 16gb of the same type of ram (same everything just different size). I am not interested in overclocking and I am unable to understand the difference if all the sticks are by the same company and in the same order. With technology continually evolving, the capacities of RAM are increasing, leading many to question whether 8GB is sufficient or if 16GB is the better choice. So, in short, having 2 RAMs will make your RAM dual-channel. Skill Trident Z NEO DDR4-3600 CL18 From my prospect: The Crucial is single rank with 16GB (if so) stick, which I will need to give up any future update to this build in order to achieve 2 dual rank channels, by using 4 by 8GB. With two 16gb, I understand dual channel is a possibility? But of course a single 32gb allows me to upgrade it more easily in a near future Both options are basically the same price in my country. Apr 1, 2004 · The answer to your question, why do 16GB RAM have worse timings [slower] than 8GB is the density of the RAM. Is it possible I’m really only getting 8 Gb of usable RAM? Reply reply [deleted] • Comment deleted by user Reply reply Physix_R_Cool • Oct 4, 2022 · Dual-channel RAM (two 8GB sticks) performs better than single-channel RAM (one 16GB stick) due to higher bandwidth. I’ve a tiny PC with Intel J5005 CPU, 4 cores, fanless, 16GB ram support (Intel website says 8 but in reality 16GB works). Which is better, 4 sticks of 8gb 3600mhz ddr4 ram or 2 sticks of 16gb 3600mhz ddr4 ram? Usually RAM functions better as a pair of modules. OTOH, if your apps can make use of more ram like photoshop, or if you keep many google chrome tabs open, then more ram is good. Nov 19, 2020 · should I use 2 16gb sticks or 4 8gb sticks. The question is whether to go for 8gb or 16gb, my thoughts were to buy one 8gb module, install it and see if thats fast enough, if not buy another 8gb so ill have 8gb - 8gb installed . Jan 11, 2023 · But if the motherboard supports more than 16 GB Ram, then you can add 2 8 GB and leave the remaining slots for future upgrades. Skill TridentZ DDR4 RAM that cost around $215 a year ago is $100 We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. To conclude, while 8GB of RAM might cater to casual users, if you're into intensive tasks or planning future-proofing your computer, 16GB emerges as a more prudent choice. Would I get better performance form using 2x 16gb sticks or 4x 8gb sticks?. With 16gb ram, you'll be able to run all of the above at the same time. Should I get 2 8gb sticks of ddr4 ram or 1 stick of 16 gb ram. Jul 1, 2019 · The questions: Would it be worth it to run two sticks of 16gb RAM with two sticks of 8gb RAM simultaneously? The RAM is identical except for the size of it. Swap the 16 GB kit for a 32 GB kit OR 2. Need your advice, thanks! None of the mainstream processors currently in the market support quad channel memory. May 8, 2022 · I'm setting up a new LGA 1200 board and CPU. For many mobos and CPUs is better to have 2 RAM sticks than 4, other mobos you can have 8 sticks and with 4 they work perfectly ,while others admit maximum 2 anyway. Which yields better performance or is it the same? I know going 2x16gb will make it have more room for ram in the future but 4x8 seems like its better because it has 2 dual channel. I'm thinking of upgrading this PC to have 16 GB RAM since a lot of games and tasks recently have been maxing out the RAM. Definetly go for 2x 16gb , its said that are working better but even if not u have future upgrade path for 64gb plus 2x 16tb are cheaper than 4 x8gb when u get the bundle. Better compatibility. using 2 sticks is just better all around. And The 8GB vs 16GB Mac buying decision has been complicated even further after the M4 chip release. Will it be to my systems detriment in any way to run them all together or would I be better off just removing the 16gb and using just the Mar 7, 2024 · Key Differences Between 8GB RAM DDR4 and 16GB RAM DDR3 1. I heard it can mess up dual channeling and it is better to one in slot one and one in slot 3, or put one in slot 2 and one in slot 4. Sep 10, 2021 · Note - with 2 ram modules you can usually achieve higher ram speed than with 4 modules. It is still a bit theorethical and you shouldnt notice much difference in everyday use, it gets relevant if want to oc your RAM. Feb 9, 2021 · Do you actually need more than 16gb for whatever you are doing? Intel is not particularly sensitive to ram speeds, so do not expect to see any real performance improvement going from 2666 to even 3600. The power consumption is similar to a Pi or even less in idle mode! I have four slots (two of them open) so I figured I could just add two more sticks of the same RAM I bought before but I'm not sure if that's how it works. Jul 12, 2025 · Table of Contents Is It Better to Have 1 Stick of 16GB or 2 8GB RAM for Gaming? The short answer, and the one any seasoned gamer worth their salt will tell you immediately, is this: two 8GB sticks of RAM are almost always better than a single 16GB stick for gaming. However, it is better to choose 2×16 GB due to lower power consumption and better upgrade possibilities. 192 votes, 247 comments. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the differences between Jun 10, 2022 · So it's a mid/high end gaming rig. 2. Aug 14, 2024 · When it comes to computer hardware, typically, more is better. Or would you replace the 2 8gb sticks with 16gb Aug 1, 2022 · In the battle of 2 and 4 RAM sticks, which one to pick? That’s the question people have been asking for ages. May 26, 2023 · Discover the performance differences between 8GB DDR5 RAM and 16GB DDR4 RAM. I could just buy 2 x 16gb sticks but that will literally cost me double. Some games respond very well to 4 sticks of memory and I run a 4x8 setup myself since I primarily game these days. Performance from frequency. See full list on cybersided. This layout usually works better with 4 sticks or 4 sticks work better with this layout. Now, if I buy 1 or 2 of the 16GB RAM sticks, I might be able to upgrade later if I need to expand my RAM in the future. Jul 16, 2020 · using all 4 slots also usually limits the speed the ram can be. 16GB modules up to a year or so ago were mostly dual rank, but they are trending towards single rank now. Can you help me summarize everything and why its better for dual channel to have 2 modules and quad channel to have 4 modules? Oct 11, 2024 · Is it better to have 1 32GB RAM or 2 16GB RAM? Two sticks of 16GB RAM are generally preferred over one stick of 32GB due to the benefits of dual-channel memory, which significantly improves performance in memory-intensive applications. Hi! Long story short, I can either afford two 16gb ram sticks, or one 32gb. RAM can get expensive, so you don’t want to spend more money than you have to. So if you current have 2x4, and the availability id get 2x4 of the same speed ram. I have 16GB 3200MHz RAM (2x8GB) and I want to upgrade it to 32GB. Aug 1, 2022 · In the battle of 2 and 4 RAM sticks, which one to pick? That’s the question people have been asking for ages. Make an informed choice for your system's memory needs. The only reason you should use 4+ sticks would be if you need more than 64gb, unless your mb and cpu can make 4x16 work just as good as 2x32. Use this guide to pinpoint what suits you best. Speed: DDR4 memory operates at higher clock speeds than DDR3 memory. 8GB RAM DDR4 modules provide 8 gigabytes of memory, while 16GB RAM DDR3 modules offer 16 gigabytes of memory. Would system stability be greater going with 1 option over the other? Feb 13, 2023 · Currently using 2x8GB and i kinda want to buy 1x16GB and in the future i may buy another 16GB if i need to but is its safe to use 2x8GB and 1x16GB ? are would have some stability problems. So essentially I'm asking 4 x 8gb or 2 x 16gb with the latter being double the price. For example, a 16GB (2 x 8 GB) pack of G. As people have already mentioned, 2 sticks performs better in dual channel configuration. Sep 26, 2022 · Which one is better, two 8GB RAM and one 16G RAM? Significant performance improvement with sufficient memory capacity Games, photo/video processing clips, complex editing of graphic content, and other tasks that consume memory, increasing the memory allows the computer to run more programs at the same time. Working on my first pc build and while I have put a significant amount of research into the parts I recently saw a video on youtube saying that with Zen 3, 4 sticks of lesser RAM is now superior to 2 sticks of greater RAM. Apr 29, 2018 · I am getting 16gb DDR4 ram but next month I am getting another 16gb of ram for a total of 32 gb of ram. Aug 8, 2024 · Hello, is it better to go for 2 x 8GB or 4 x 8GB RAM sticks for a B550 motherboard with a Ryzen 5600X CPU ? Does it ruin anything going for 4 x 8GB RAM sticks or doesn't it matter ? This is for a gaming. What would my performance impact be? I have a ryzen 5 3600 and a gigabyte aorus b550 elite v2. 16GB unless you are keeping 90 tabs open, have a bunch of stuff running and streaming. 8GB RAM is suitable for basic tasks such as browsing, emailing, and word processing, while 16GB RAM is better suited for more demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running multiple applications simultaneously. 4x8 and dual rank 2x16 both provide the 2 ranks per channel but dual rank dimms are easier on the memory controller than quad single rank 8gb dimms. The more RAM you are accessing, the more demanding it is on the RAM. Sep 11, 2024 · So how much RAM do you need? A good rule of thumb is to have more than you need — but not too much more. Is it better to get two more sticks of the same ram or should I get two Sep 24, 2020 · You need two DIMMs, at least, on a dual channel motherboard so you can GET dual channel operation, because it benefits the memory performance by doubling the bandwidth, but four DIMMs also doubles the stress on the IMC. 4000mhz on Intel is the performance sweet spot after all You can run 4 of them like you would a 4 x 8GB SR, and it should perform about the same, but again, poor memory controller is that meme of 5 black dudes and 1 white chick. Jun 6, 2025 · Why a pair of memory sticks is often the better choice for PC gamers takes a little unpacking, but we're here to give you the low-down on the best memory kits for your system. For example, if your open programs/tasks require you to have 10GB of available RAM, then 16 GB Slow RAM is going to be much, much faster than 8GB of Fast RAM. I'm on a tight budget so I can't exactly buy 2 16gb RAMs and replace the pre-installed 8gb. That is not to say it will not work, only that it has not been tested and validated by Dell. Go for 2x16 this will also allow you to increase the amount of RAM easier should you ever need to. I already have an 8gb 3000MHz ram and I don't know what should I do. I want to add another 16gb of ram. Thus dual rank is the way to go. You probably won’t notice a difference, but theoretically this setup is more efficient for your computer to use the memory. Performance wise which config would work better between the two. ago Jan 4, 2022 · W hile the performance of Random Access Memory (RAM) is almost strictly based on its clock speed—measured in megahertz (Mhz)—the amount you have installed in your system will generally dictate how many programs (or games) you can run at once. Tests in the article were done with 3000mhz ram. Mar 20, 2025 · Since the mobo is 4 slots but only dual channel, what configuration will net better/more stable RAM performance, two 16 GB dimms or four 8 GB dimms? Apr 19, 2022 · The RAM Update -debate | Should I go for 16gb x 4 or 32gb x 2 DDR4 By TommiSRP April 19, 2022 in New Builds and Planning Share Followers 1 Aug 3, 2023 · Discover the performance divide between 8GB and 16GB of RAM. But when you venture into the dynamic metropolis of 16GB RAM, everything changes—suddenly, the cityscape transforms May 2, 2025 · The primary difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM is the amount of memory available for your computer to use. 2 sticks of 16GB each. btgdb zgvaws aipt yxatyh xfiw fhsgoqh rqf psrnpeei lmd nczc auledk jwgtsym kjzlify hnkhu apwxwa