2 Single 8GBs vs 2x 8 GB kit - Huge price diff

[Gamer Guy]

I'm looking to buy 16GB RAM for a new build.. 

 

R5 3500

B450 GAMING PLUS MAX

GTX 1660 Super

144Hz 1080p Gaming (casual gaming only)

 

I got a good deal on a single 8GB stick (1 USD = 75 INR).

The cheapest 2x8 GB kit has very loose timings it seems and costs $15 more than 2 of the corsair 8GB sticks.

Next good kit costs $38 more than 2 of the corsair 8GB sticks.

 

I have powerful enough GPU, so FPS difference with 3000 Mhz vs 3200 MHz vs 3600 MHz will be unnoticeable. I know 2 single 8GB sticks are not guaranteed/tested to run in dual channel, but is there any way I can buy the corsair product twice (I mean qty 2) and make it run in dual channel, by any means without voiding warranty? Or anybody know any people got 2 same separate sticks running in dual channel right after installation?

[Haro]

Technically it will work just fine. But mix and matching ram may and may not work properly. But for the most part it should work. 

If you can't afford/ don't want to spend the money on a kit, this should technically work. 

4 minutes ago, Gamer Guy said:

without voiding warranty

You won't void the warranty. 

[mariushm]

The ram sticks in dual channel kits are exactly the same as the ones sold as one piece.

It's just packaging differences, they're all tested to meet the minimum specs advertised and there's no special stuff to mark them as dual channel.

 

You can also buy a single 16 GB stick of 3200 mhz 16cl for 6255 INR here: Amazon.in: Buy CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (1x16GB) DDR4 3200MHZ UDIMM C16 Desktop RAM Memory Module Online at Low Prices in India | Corsair Reviews & Ratings

 

It actually makes sense considering you have only 2 memory slots, why fill them both with 8 gb sticks...

 

Later when you have more money, you can add a single 4 GB or 8 GB or 16 GB stick - you'll have some portion run in dual channel mode and some that runs in dual channel .. ex 4 + 16 GB = 8 GB in dual channel, 8 GB in single channel

 

There is a bit of a performance loss when using a single stick of memory, but you can suck it up and live with that small performance loss for a few months until you have cash to buy a 2nd stick (doesn't even have to be same capacity, though it's recommended)

 

[-iSynthesis]

As long as they are the same module, same timings and speed they should be fine in 99% of cases. They're rated for their speeds and stability at those speeds, adding another one that is rated for the same speeds doesn't really make a ton of difference. Be more careful mixing different brands/models/specs though..

[Nena Trinity]

2 sticks always unless its maybe 2133MHz vs a 3600MHz one then maybe...

[Gamer Guy]

11 hours ago, mariushm said:

The ram sticks in dual channel kits are exactly the same as the ones sold as one piece.

It's just packaging differences, they're all tested to meet the minimum specs advertised and there's no special stuff to mark them as dual channel.

 

You can also buy a single 16 GB stick of 3200 mhz 16cl for 6255 INR here: Amazon.in: Buy CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (1x16GB) DDR4 3200MHZ UDIMM C16 Desktop RAM Memory Module Online at Low Prices in India | Corsair Reviews & Ratings

 

It actually makes sense considering you have only 2 memory slots, why fill them both with 8 gb sticks...

 

Later when you have more money, you can add a single 4 GB or 8 GB or 16 GB stick - you'll have some portion run in dual channel mode and some that runs in dual channel .. ex 4 + 16 GB = 8 GB in dual channel, 8 GB in single channel

 

There is a bit of a performance loss when using a single stick of memory, but you can suck it up and live with that small performance loss for a few months until you have cash to buy a 2nd stick (doesn't even have to be same capacity, though it's recommended)

 

Oops! I was meant to type B450 Gaming Plus MAX. I'm going to get MAX version because it's out of the box supports 3000 series Ryzen. (Topic edited)

So dual channel in Ryzen systems will give me little more performance in games and general tasks right? The corsair 8GB stick (qty=2) still costs less than the 16 GB stick you linked 

[mariushm]

3 hours ago, Gamer Guy said:

Oops! I was meant to type B450 Gaming Plus MAX. I'm going to get MAX version because it's out of the box supports 3000 series Ryzen. (Topic edited)

You don't NEED the Max version, if it's cheaper you can get the non-Max version. The downside is that the motherboard may not support Ryzen 4xxx when they'll show up next year.

 

The motherboard model supports bios flashback, which allows you to upgrade the bios without a processor installed in the socket. You simply copy the bios on a usb stick, plug it in a particular usb connector (it's marked on the IO shield) and then press a button on the IO shield. Wait 20-30 seconds and the bios is updated.

 

The Max versions have a 32MB bios, the non-Max have a 16 MB bios, that's the only difference. It will depend on MSI, it will be difficult to squeeze support for Ryzen 3xxx and Ryzen 4xxx in 16 MB, so they may not add support for Ryzen 4xxx or they'll remove support for some older Ryzen processors to make room for Ryzen 4xxx series.

 

3 hours ago, Gamer Guy said:

So dual channel in Ryzen systems will give me little more performance in games and general tasks right? The corsair 8GB stick (qty=2) still costs less than the 16 GB stick you linked 

Yes, dual channel makes a difference on AMD, you will get around 5-15% performance increase in applications and games just by using two sticks.

Yes, your two sticks are a bit cheaper, but they run at 3000 Mhz, the single stick runs at 3200 Mhz.

There is a performance increase with higher frequencies on Ryzen processors.

From 3000 Mhz to 3200 Mhz, you'll have let's say 2-3% performance increase.

From 3200 Mhz to 3600 Mhz, you'll have let's say 0.5-1.5% performance increase.

 

So if you go with those 2 3000Mhz stick, you'll get the benefit of running in dual channel, but you'll be permanently stuck at that 3000 Mhz base performance level.

With the single 16 GB stick, you'll lose that 5-15% performance increase from using dual channel mode TEMPORARILY (until you buy a second stick), but you'll increase the base performance level with the 3200 Mhz frequency.

 

If the motherboard only has 2 memory slots, then the single 3200 Mhz 16 GB stick makes more sense, if you have the money to buy a 2nd stick at some point in the near future.

Your motherboard has 4 slots, so buying 2 sticks now will make more sense, but I'd still spend a few dollars more to get at least 3200 Mhz.