RAM Question

[Xiauj]

So in a few weeks, I might be upgrading My Main Ryzen PC for it to have 32GB RAM instead of 16GB which is what I have currently because, I have Google Chrome (Lots of tabs) and certain applications/games (..like Modded-MC as one good example) open everyday that use a fair bit of RAM and want to ask 2 questions to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. Lol.

 

1. Most YouTubers and other videos/posts/build-guides just say to insert the extra RAM sticks into the slots which doesn't really help Me at all so My question is.., Do I need to change anything in Windows 10 or the BIOS or anything like that, to make sure it's been fully detected and that it won't cause major issues??

 

2. I currently have a Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) (3000MHz) kit, if I get the exact same 2x8GB kit from Amazon-UK, it should work fine I assume?

 

My PC-Specs btw are:

Spoiler

 

Ryzen R5 1600 (CPU)

GIGABYTE AX370-Gaming K5 (Motherboard)

Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) (3000MHz) (RAM)

EVGA GTX 1080 Superclocked 2 with ICX cooling (8GB) (GPU)

---Rest of the specs are My profile---

 

 

 

I probably sound like a noob asking this but I just want to be sure  lol

Thanks

Edited March 10, 2019 by Xiauj

[Mr Technician]

Yes, getting an identical kit should work fine. Windows won't care but you *might* need to redo any memory overclocks in the BIOS. I'm in the exact same boat as you where running Chrome or 4k video editing can push me close to my limit for RAM. I initially went with 16GB to save a bit since memory was super expensive at the end of 2017...

[DailyProcrastinator]

When you ad the additional 2x8GB kit (make sure your system is powered off) your system most likely will recognize that new memory is detected on first boot. It will likely restore Bios settings to default so you will need to re-configure your RAM to run at the rated 3000MHz. If your system does not recognize the additional memory simply boot into bios and re-enable dual-channel mode and you should be fine. There are no stupid questions, but this is a fairly easy process! 

 

EDIT: Disregard anything with quad-channel didn't read your specs.

Edited March 10, 2019 by JM21

[Mr Technician]

1 minute ago, JM21 said:

When you ad the additional 2x8GB kit (make sure your system is powered off) your system most likely will recognize that new memory is detected on first boot. It wilikelyely restore Bios settings to default so you will need to re-configure your RAM to run at the rated 3000MHz. If your system does not recognize the additional memeory simply boot inot bios and enable quad-channel mode and you should be fine. There are no stupid questions, but this is a fairly easy process! 

Quad channel mode? Ryzen is always dual channel.

[DailyProcrastinator]

4 minutes ago, ThatFlashCat said:

Quad channel mode? Ryzen is always dual channel.

Probably would have helped if I looked at the OP's specs. 

[Xiauj]

10 minutes ago, ThatFlashCat said:

Yes, getting an identical kit should work fine. Windows won't care but you *might* need to redo any memory overclocks in the BIOS. I'm in the exact same boat as you where running Chrome or 4k video editing can push me close to my limit for RAM. I initially went with 16GB to save a bit since memory was super expensive at the end of 2017...

12 minutes ago, JM21 said:

When you ad the additional 2x8GB kit (make sure your system is powered off) your system most likely will recognize that new memory is detected on first boot. It will likely restore Bios settings to default so you will need to re-configure your RAM to run at the rated 3000MHz. If your system does not recognize the additional memory simply boot into bios and re-enable dual-channel mode and you should be fine.

 

https://amzn.to/2H9t32d < This is the exact Corsair kit is what I have installed currently from Amazon-UK.

I haven't done any overclocking so, if I get another one of these 16GB kits, everything should be fine, correct?

 

And because I have only the 2 sticks currently installed of course, do I need to change the speed(s), Task Manager says that it's 2133MHz (2 of 4 Slots used).

[DailyProcrastinator]

2 minutes ago, Xiauj said:

 

https://amzn.to/2H9t32d < This is the exact Corsair kit is what I have installed currently from Amazon-UK.

I haven't done any overclocking so, if I get another one of these 16GB kits, everything should be fine, correct?

 

And because I have only the 2 sticks currently installed of course, do I need to change the speed(s), Task Manager says that it's 2133MHz (2 of 4 Slots used).

Running at 3000MHz isn't overclocking since 3000MHz is the rated speed it can clock too. By default, DDR4 RAM runs at 2133MHz, although personally task manager never reflects my actual RAM speeds, something like OpenHardwareMonitor is a better tool.  

 

But if you have never changed the speed of your RAM then it is running at stock speeds, here is a simple follow along to setting RAM speeds:

 

[ATFink]

1 hour ago, Xiauj said:

- snip -

 

1. Most YouTubers and other videos/posts/build-guides just say to insert the extra RAM sticks into the slots which doesn't really help Me at all so My question is.., Do I need to change anything in Windows 10 or the BIOS or anything like that, to make sure it's been fully detected and that it won't cause major issues??

 

2. I currently have a Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) (3000MHz) kit, if I get the exact same 2x8GB kit from Amazon-UK, it should work fine I assume?

 

- snip -

1) No, you don't need to change any BIOS settings.

 

2) Yeah, that'd be fine. It's usually best to get the same kit, but it doesn't have to be. As long as both kits have the same rated speed and timings the system should perform fine. Even if the kits did vary the speeds all four sticks run at would default to the speed of the slowest stick. Ryzen 1000 CPUs might not support very high frequency RAM in a 4 DIMM setup though. You may do better, but I wouldn't expect faster than 2933 MHz in most cases. 

[Xiauj]

Just now, ATFink said:

1) No, you don't need to change any BIOS settings.

Oh that's good  Yeah the main reason I ask this is because literally nobody including YouTubers from what I've seen/heard had mentioned nothing about this question lol.

 

2 minutes ago, ATFink said:

2) Yeah, that'd be fine. It's usually best to get the same kit, but it doesn't have to be. As long as both kits have the same rated speed and timings the system should perform fine. Even if the kits did vary the speeds all four stick run at would default to the speed of the slowest stick. Ryzen 1000 CPUs might not support very high frequency RAM in a 4 DIMM setup though. You may do better, but I wouldn't expect faster than 2933 MHz in most cases. 

Oh Ok that's good too.

 

As much as I would love to upgrade My CPU, I can't afford a better one currently. That and the fact that I'm a tiny bit nervous when it comes to PC-Upgrading because I don't wanna **** anything up  I do however want to change the PC-Case in the next few weeks too, just because I'm getting tired of having My BluRay-Optical-Drive-PC on My desk. Current case is P400S by Phanteks but wanna get a different Phanteks case maybe.

[ATFink]

1 minute ago, Xiauj said:

I'm getting tired of having My BluRay-Optical-Drive-PC on My desk. Current case is P400S by Phanteks but wanna get a different Phanteks case maybe.

I assume you want a case that has a 5 and a quater inch bay for the drive then.

 

Is your current disk reader an external unit with something like a USB interface, or an internal unit that's just hanging out on your desk strapped to a sata port on the motherboard like its on life support?

[Xiauj]

6 minutes ago, ATFink said:

I assume you want a case that has a 5 and a quater inch bay for the drive then.

Correct. One 5.25" bay should be enough as well as other things like a PSU-Shroud, Window-Panel, Cable management and other useful things like that.

 

Just now, ATFink said:

Is your current disk reader an external unit with something like a USB interface, or an internal unit that's just hanging out on your desk strapped to a sata port on the motherboard like its on life support?

https://amzn.to/2Tt56JJ < I purchased this BluRay-Drive and installed it in one of My old PCs that I got a while back with lame specs lol. There was a DVD-Drive in it before but I replaced that with the BluRay-Drive.

[ATFink]

21 minutes ago, Xiauj said:

https://amzn.to/2Tt56JJ < I purchased this BluRay-Drive and installed it in one of My old PCs that I got a while back with lame specs lol. There was a DVD-Drive in it before but I replaced that with the BluRay-Drive.

If like your current case, but want a new one to manage the looks since a stray sata cable makes it look like frankenstien's monster, this may help without needing a new case:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Benfei-Drive-Adapter-Optical-Support/dp/B07JGT17B8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1552261002&amp;sr=8-10&amp;keywords=sata+to+usb+cable

 

with some velcro sticky tabs like these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VELCRO-Brand-Fasteners-Perfect-Squares/dp/B00006IC2K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1552261376&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=velcro+sticky+tabs

 

You could strap the optical drive to a cubby/drawer/underside of your desk or something and still have a pretty clean setup without changing the case.

 

 

If you definitely want a new case these should fit your criteria:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/jrVBD3/phanteks-case-phes515pbk

or

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/FzsmP6/cooler-master-masterbox-e500l-atx-mid-tower-case-mcb-e500l-ka5n-s02

 

There are several variations of the above cases and more found in this search:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/case/#m=50,106,229&amp;p=0&amp;s=1&amp;f=2&amp;G=1,12&amp;sort=price&amp;Y=600000,600082,8200000,8200006

[Xiauj]

2 minutes ago, ATFink said:

If you definitely want a new case these should fit your criteria:

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/jrVBD3/phanteks-case-phes515pbk

This Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Case was actually the one I'm thinking about getting surprisingly  lol

The case doesn't look too bad. Hopefully the case transfer should go smoothly.

[Xiauj]

@ThatFlashCat, @JM21, @ATFink Just I'd update / say that I got My second 2x8GB 3000MHz kit of RAM today  Will install it tomorrow and hope that all goes smoothly.

 

What I'll do: Turn off PC > Put RAM in the other two slots > Turn PC on hoping that it goes to Windows 10 > Check Task Manager

 

I'll post here if anything decides to act funny lol

[Mr Technician]

5 minutes ago, Xiauj said:

@ThatFlashCat, @JM21, @ATFink Just I'd update / say that I got My second 2x8GB 3000MHz kit of RAM today  Will install it tomorrow and hope that all goes smoothly.

 

What I'll do: Turn off PC > Put RAM in the other two slots > Turn PC on hoping that it goes to Windows 10 > Check Task Manager

 

I'll post here if anything decides to act funny lol

I'd go to bios first and check your memory clock settings and then boot into windows.

[Xiauj]

1 minute ago, ThatFlashCat said:

I'd go to bios first and check your memory clock settings and then boot into windows.

So.. I should do this?: Turn off PC > Put RAM in the other two slots > Turn PC on > Go to BIOS > Make sure it's 2133MHz  / 3000MHz > Hope it loads Windows 10 > Check Task Manager

 

 

It shows as 2133 in Task Manager so that's why I wrote 2133 / 3000 btw

Spoiler

 

[Mr Technician]

1 minute ago, Xiauj said:

So.. I should do this?: Turn off PC > Put RAM in the other two slots > Turn PC on > Go to BIOS > Make sure it's 2133MHz  / 3000MHz > Hope it loads Windows 10 > Check Task Manager

 

 

It shows as 2133 in Task Manager so that's why I wrote 2133 / 3000 btw

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Yes, though you wouldn't hurt anything by going to windows first, it would just save you having to go the bios and then back to windows again.

 

On a side note, my task manager accurately shows my 2933 MHz memory speeds.

[Xiauj]

@ThatFlashCat 

Spoiler

Managed to install it  31.9GB at 2133MHz in 4 out of 4 total slots!

Looks like it's installed correctly so far, gonna go do some testing on games and stuff.

[Benjeh]

Just because they're identical rating on the box doesn't mean they use the same chips or IMC this is why quad channel kits exist etc. 
Here follow this link and it might help you some.

https://www.reddit.com/r/overclocking/wiki/ram/ryzenddr4#wiki_hynix_ddr4