Ram for 5800x

[Help_me]

I’m going to build a pc soon and I was wondering some questions.

 

1. I’m pretty certain but 4 sticks of ram is better for ryzen cpus even if it’s not quad channel because if allows the ram to run in dual tank which is better, am I right?

 

2. is it better to go for 4x8 Corsair Vengeance rgb pro sl 3600mhz cl 18 or 4x8 Corsair Vengeance rgb pro sl 3200 cl 16. I’m going to be using the computer for mainly gaming but also some light editing and coding.

 

3. Can I overclock my ram if I go for either to match the others performance and how hard will it be since I’ve never done it before and this is my first custom rig

 

Pcpartpicker list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/CzrP4d

(Without the 6 asus rog xf120 fans I’m going to be using for airflo and intake in the front radiator)

[Chris Pratt]

1. The optimal number of sticks equals the number of channels. For dual channel that means two sticks. It's true that Ryzen does prefer four ranks, but that doesn't necessarily require four sticks. A lot of 16GB and all 32GB sticks are dual rank, so a 32GB/64GB kit of two with dual ranks gets you there. 16GB total is more difficult, since 8GB sticks are all single rank. You'd have to do 4x4GB to get there, which is honestly kind of silly. The performance difference between 2 ranks and 4 wouldn't be worth maxing out your capacity at 16GB.

 

2. They both have the same total latency, so the 3600MHz is better for the higher bandwidth. However, 3600MHz CL16 is even better, and can be gotten as cheap or even cheaper, ironically, than those Corsair kits, from G.skill or Crucial (i.e. still excellent quality).

 

3. Potentially, but don't buy slower RAM expecting to overclock it to what you really want. RAM is binned, so almost always if it can stably clock at 3600MHz, for example, it's just going to be sold as 3600MHz. Get the 3600MHz, and then if you can push it to 3733-3800MHz all the better.

[Help_me]

2 minutes ago, Chris Pratt said:

1. The optimal number of sticks equals the number of channels. For dual channel that means two sticks. It's true that Ryzen does prefer four ranks, but that doesn't necessarily require four sticks. A lot of 16GB and all 32GB sticks are dual rank, so a 32GB/64GB kit of two with dual ranks gets you there. 16GB total is more difficult, since 8GB sticks are all single rank. You'd have to do 4x4GB to get there, which is honestly kind of silly. The performance difference between 2 ranks and 4 wouldn't be worth maxing out your capacity at 16GB.

 

2. They both have the same total latency, so the 3600MHz is better for the higher bandwidth. However, 3600MHz CL16 is even better, and can be gotten as cheaper or even cheaper, ironically, than those Corsair kits, from G.skill or Crucial (i.e. still excellent quality).

 

3. Potentially, but don't buy slower RAM expecting to overclock it to what you really want. RAM is binned, so almost always it it can stably clock at 3600MHz, for example, it's just going to be sold as 3600MHz. Get the 3600MHz, and then if you can push it to 3733-3800MHz all the better.

1. Yeah but it will also work to go for 4 single rank 8 go sticks to get a total of 32gb as well, right?

 

2. I’ve seen those but here where I live it’s almost $50-100 more just for 3600 and cl 16 so I decided to go for one or another. 

 

3. Ok thanks

[Chris Pratt]

1 minute ago, Help_me said:

1. Yeah but it will also work to go for 4 single rank 8 go sticks to get a total of 32gb as well, right?

 

2. I’ve seen those but here where I live it’s almost $50-100 more just for 3600 and cl 16 so I decided to go for one or another. 

 

3. Ok thanks

Sure, any combination of sticks and ranks per sticks that adds up to four achieves the same effect. However, running four sticks puts more stress on the IMC than two, so especially if you want to try overclocking, you'll have better luck in general with two sticks than four. Plus, it leaves open the possiblity of adding more capacity later, should you need it. You probably won't with your current workload, but things can always change.