Optimizing RAM

[Exztrazza]

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: every modern title + streaming

Other details: I use an analog 7.1 headset so soundcard recommendations are very welcome, I am currently looking at the ASUS Strix Raid Pro. 

 

I'm planning on upgrading my 8 year old pc as it is starting to struggle with the latest titles as of recently.

 

Current specs

CPU: AMD FX-9590 (clocked @ 4.5Ghz)

MOBO: ASUS ROG Crosshair V Formula-Z

RAM: G.Skill Trident X (16GB @ 2400Mhz CL18)

PSU: corsair 750watt (broken fan so shady diy RGB fan replacement)

Case: NZXT Phantom 820 (not planning on changing for now)

 

Upgrade specs (for now)

CPU: AMD RYZEN 7 5800X

MOBO: ASUS ROG STRIX X570-E GAMING

RAM: G.Skill Trident Z neo (32GB @ 3600Mhz CL16 4x8GB)

PSU: Corsair HX1000i

 

I'm currently not even going to look at a GPU because well... I'm no millionaire.

 

Query:

Recently in a video on one of the LMG channels I learned that depending on your motherboard you can get slightly better performance if you use 2 or 4 sticks of RAM. After looking into this for a bit I havent yet been able to figure out which it would be for this motherboard. 

Now before anyone goes saying it isn't that significant, i know but since i can get a 2x16GB set and a 4x8GB set for the same price id like to optimize even if it only boosts performance by 0.5%.

 

I am pretty set on these specs but im open to some more min-maxing, I dont really have a set budget but I don't need a Crosshair VIII Hero for instance so id like to stay around the price point I currently have.

[Chris Pratt]

A kit of two is always better than a kit of 4, regardless of mobo (for dual channel, obviously).

[Henry2026]

There might be a minute difference if you go quad channel, but it looks much nicer. 

[Freakwise]

Dual channel always preferable, if you're planning to used ram under 32gb...

Because if you decided to upgrade in the future to 32gb or 64gb, which you may although 32 is like the top/high end sweet spot for capacity 

 

 

[brob]

Dual and quad channel refer to how the memory controller accesses memory. X570, B550, etc. Motherboards only support dual channel. 

 

Given 32GB of memory, there is generally no significant performance difference between 4x8 and 2x16. The advantage of 2x16GB is it leaves two slots available for an upgrade.

 

[Nena Trinity]

dual-rank 3800MHz is best possible setup for Ryzen overall.