Ram Choice for 3900x build

[Solidzzle]

I am currently researching my new Ryzen 3900x build and I am stuck on the RAM choice. I will require at least 32gb or preferably 64gb of RAM due to work reasons, but I also want to be able to do proper gaming. I intend to use a Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master. The system has to last quite some time as my replacement cycles are quite long with 7-8 years. So the cost is not the main priority for me right now.

 

If I want to run 3600Mhz for the 1:1 ratio on the Infinity Fabric, I have realized that I am quite limited on the choices for timings due to the DIMM size. So far I have found the following options that maximize the potential. I realize that there are significant cost differences here, but I would just like to realize which of these would be preferred given the technical tradeoffs involved:

 

1) GSkill Trident Z RGB 32Gb (2x16) DDR4-3600 CL16-16-16-36, EUR 300

2) GSkill Trident Z NEO 32Gb (4x8) DDR4-3600 CL14-15-15-35, EUR 550

 

3) GSkill Trident Z RGB 64Gb (4x16) DDR4-3600 CL16-19-19-39, EUR 365

4) GSkill Tridentz Z RGB 64Gb (4x16) DDR4-3600 CL16-16-16-36, EUR 630 (twice of 1), no Dual Channel then?)

 

1) and 2) are 32Gb choices. 1) keeps Dual Channel and but 2) has lowest timings.

 

3) and 4) are 64Gb options and the only kits I found for 3600Mhz. Loosing Dual Channel on both options. 4) has lower timings but is incredibly more expensive.

 

I am also open to suggestions with other frequencies. I am completely impartial to the producer, if anybody has suggestions. it just happened that GSkill offered the closest to what I am looking for.  I am also considering using 1) maybe and upgrade to 64Gb when technology has progressed with timings on these frequencies, even though I have no idea when that will happen. 

 

The tradeoffs (DIMM Size, Dual channel and looser timings) are probably very small and definitely luxury problems. I am just curious as to what other enthusiasts think. As I said, I can also live with other suggestions if they look reasonable.

 

Thx for the help in advance.

 

 

 

 

[xg32]

i'd go with 2x16 for ddr3600, so #1 all the way, also i'd wait for the 3950x for a workstation, they are binned 3900x with 4 more cores for just 250usd more, which in a sense makes the 3900x a bad deal.

[Solidzzle]

10 minutes ago, xg32 said:

i'd go with 2x16 for ddr3600, so #1 all the way, also i'd wait for the 3950x for a workstation, they are binned 3900x with 4 more cores for just 250usd more, which in a sense makes the 3900x a bad deal.

Thx, yeah. That is also a tradeoff worth considering. Half the RAM but 25% more cores. The cost per core on the 3900x is actually better than on the 3950x. I will have to really think which serves my uses cases best...

[Solidzzle]

And how would 1) compare to this

 

GSkill Trident Z RGB 32Gb (2x16) DDR4-3200 Cl-14-14-14-34. EUR 261

 

In the tests so far the lower frequency of 3200 didn‘t matter that much. You can also get 64Gb Kits with the same specs...But the frequency might matter more for production builds. The tests are mostly done in gaming settings, right?

[xg32]

17 minutes ago, Solidzzle said:

And how would 1) compare to this

 

GSkill Trident Z RGB 32Gb (2x16) DDR4-3200 Cl-14-14-14-34. EUR 261

 

In the tests so far the lower frequency of 3200 didn‘t matter that much. You can also get 64Gb Kits with the same specs...But the frequency might matter more for production builds. The tests are mostly done in gaming settings, right?

it'd probably be a tiny bit slower than #1,  i'd probably take cl16 3600 over cl14 3200 on zen 2, though it depends on the exact app you are using, and need to be tested.

 

Though i wouldn't be sure if 4 sticks can run at 3600, it's a fairly safe bet to run 4 sticks at 3200. the x570 taichi is a t-top board made to run 4 sticks, and the master has a better heatsink on the vrm overall. 

 

So i'd go with 

 

1) 64gb 4x16 ddr3200 cl14 ram with the taichi

 

2) 32gb 2x16 ddr3600 cl16 ram with the master

 

4x16 ddr3600 cl16 might work with the taichi but i wouldn't say it's guaranteed (just a guess) 

[Solidzzle]

1 hour ago, xg32 said:

it'd probably be a tiny bit slower than #1,  i'd probably take cl16 3600 over cl14 3200 on zen 2, though it depends on the exact app you are using, and need to be tested.

 

Though i wouldn't be sure if 4 sticks can run at 3600, it's a fairly safe bet to run 4 sticks at 3200. the x570 taichi is a t-top board made to run 4 sticks, and the master has a better heatsink on the vrm overall. 

 

So i'd go with 

 

1) 64gb 4x16 ddr3200 cl14 ram with the taichi

 

2) 32gb 2x16 ddr3600 cl16 ram with the master

 

4x16 ddr3600 cl16 might work with the taichi but i wouldn't say it's guaranteed (just a guess) 

Can you tell me why the taichi can support 4 sticks? Is there any X570 board that can handle 4x16 ddr3600? If I just put in 2x16, how would a possible upgrade path look like with this limitation?

[xg32]

46 minutes ago, Solidzzle said:

Can you tell me why the taichi can support 4 sticks? Is there any X570 board that can handle 4x16 ddr3600? If I just put in 2x16, how would a possible upgrade path look like with this limitation?

it's a t-top board that's better for 4 sticks, while daisy chain (alot more common) is better for higher frequency and 2 sticks oc. I did a quick search on google and it seems that most people with 4x16 3200 works fine, not enough data for 3600. if any board can handle 4x16 3600 it's the taichi, but not guaranteed.

[Solidzzle]

So is there actually any chance to ever get 64gb of Ram when daisy chaining without sacrificing. What are the prospects of 2x32gb kits in the near future? Are people ever using all RAM slots in these boards with these limitations?

[Midnitewolf]

From the tests I have seen the sweet spot is DDR4 3600  at the tightest timing you can get is the way to go.

 

Also DDR4 3600 CL 16 and DDR4 3200 CL 14 seems to be very close in performance with the DDR4 3600 having a slight edge but probably whatever is cheaper between the two is fine.

 

As far as your module counts go it seems 32 GB modules have much looser timings than 16 GB so while I don't have any personal experience with this, I would guess that 4x16 GB with tighter timings would perform better than 2x32 GB with looser timings but that is only a guess. 

[Solidzzle]

15 hours ago, Midnitewolf said:

From the tests I have seen the sweet spot is DDR4 3600  at the tightest timing you can get is the way to go.

 

Also DDR4 3600 CL 16 and DDR4 3200 CL 14 seems to be very close in performance with the DDR4 3600 having a slight edge but probably whatever is cheaper between the two is fine.

 

As far as your module counts go it seems 32 GB modules have much looser timings than 16 GB so while I don't have any personal experience with this, I would guess that 4x16 GB with tighter timings would perform better than 2x32 GB with looser timings but that is only a guess. 

I also assume this to be the case. But that has implications on the choice of the mobo as xg32 has pointed out above. If I intend to populate all 4 slots the taichi as a t-topology board would be the way to go.

 

I just realized that I am not sure if I understand Dual Channel Mode properly. Do I still run in Dual Channel Mode if I populate all 4 slots with the same DIMMs? I just researched this and I found this https://www.cgdirector.com/best-memory-ram-amd-ryzen-cpus-3600-3700x-3900x/ which states that populating all 4 will still run in Dual Channel Mode? So is there now any disadvantage in populating all 4 slots on a t-topology board? If not, then I would just put in either 4x8 or 4x16 and I am good? The tradeoff here would only be in the reduced frequency because t-top might not be able to handle 3600Mhz, which could be compensated with tighter timings.

[FrobergDK]

I'm building based on the exact same platform, lol. I'll ask my question here since it's related.

 

I was just looking at whether dual or quad channel would serve me the best, as far as I can tell none of the boards support quad channel but then people tell me performance is higher with four slots populated. Anyone?

[Solidzzle]

37 minutes ago, Gambianeren said:

I'm building based on the exact same platform, lol. I'll ask my question here since it's related.

 

I was just looking at whether dual or quad channel would serve me the best, as far as I can tell none of the boards support quad channel but then people tell me performance is higher with four slots populated. Anyone?

Even if you populate 4 slots, it does not mean it runs in Quad Channel Mode. No motherboards supports quad channel. They will still run in Dual Channel Mode. The major difference is the possible frequency. On Daisy Chain boards (only 2 slots used) the DIMM frequency can be pushed higher, while on T-topology boards (all 4 slots are used) the highest frequency is currently unclear. ASorkc reports for its x570 taichi 3200Mhz stable. For higher clock speeds there are no tests available yet it seems

[tech.guru]

1 minute ago, Solidzzle said:

Even if you populate 4 slots, it does not mean it runs in Quad Channel Mode. No motherboards supports quad channel. They will still run in Dual Channel Mode. The major difference is the possible frequency. On Daisy Chain boards (only 2 slots used) the DIMM frequency can be pushed higher, while on T-topology boards (all 4 slots are used) the highest frequency is currently unclear. ASorkc reports for its x570 taichi 3200Mhz stable. For higher clock speeds there are no tests available yet it seems

not true no motherboard for the x570 platform supports this. The new thread ripper TRX40 motherboards absolutely support quad channel.

 

https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/TRX40 Taichi/#Specification

 

If you want quad channel move to thread ripper platform.

[Solidzzle]

Just now, tech.guru said:

not true no motherboard for the x570 platform supports this. The new thread ripper TRX40 motherboards absolutely support quad channel.

 

https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/TRX40 Taichi/#Specification

 

If you want quad channel move to thread ripper platform.

Ah yes sorry, I forgot to add this...

[FrobergDK]

So essentially if 32GB is enough for my needs, I'm just as well served with 2x16GB rather than doing 4x8? Looking at 3600MHz/CL16 personally.

[Dean.P.]

What cooler and case are you going for?