With Ryzen 5900x should I go with 4 by 8GB or 2 by 16GB of ram? Thank you all for helping me out.

[F10_9sday2u]

Hi all, just brought MSI 3080 Ti from newegg with $1769+ tax

I use computer 3D modeling (SoildWorks, RHINO) and rendering(Keyshot, blender) mainly.

 

I have finally completed my new built purchase, but there is a concern, someone I know is suggesting me,

 

Solution 1: 4 by 8gb ram from Crucial Ballistix  DDR4-3600 CL16.

 

Solution 2: 2 by 16gb rams from G. Skill Trident Z NEO DDR4-3600 CL18  

 

From my prospect:

The Crucial is single rank with 16GB (if so) stick, which I will need to give up any future update to this build in order to achieve 2 dual rank channels, by using 4 by 8GB. Another told me that 2 by 16GB is ok, but he suggested Trident Z. As the price for now, they are just $10 different. I don't really care about the price between these two, but 4 sticks will be more consistent(above 15%) performance than 2 sticks? If so, I will give up future upgrade opportunities for the 15% extra consistency. 

 

 

Lastly, Yes I know AMD will not make any newer CPU for AM4 socket in future, DDR5 is coming, 12th Gen Intel is beating AMD again（yes, no, maybe so).

[BobVonBob]

Just ignore everything I wrote here.

Edited October 15, 2021 by BobVonBob

[xg32]

24 minutes ago, F10_9sday2u said:

.

4x8 is guaranteed to be dual ranked iirc, for 2x16 you need to make sure the sticks are double sided, in that case 2x16 is preferred over 4x8 as you have 2 free slots and potential for higher oc with 2x16. 

 

if you don't plan on ocing past 3600 then either way is fine. 

[YoungBlade]

32 minutes ago, BobVonBob said:

Whoever told you that you need 4 sticks doesn't know what they're talking about. As long as you have both channels populated (i.e. 2 sticks in slots 2 and 4) you gain nothing but additional capacity by adding more sticks. If anything performance is usually worse with more sticks.

Whoever told you that performance is worse with more sticks doesn't know what they're talking about. Although, to be fair, it's really about ranks, not sticks, but 4 sticks guarantees at least 2 ranks, and 4 single rank sticks will perform better on modern CPUs than 2 single rank sticks.

 

 

 

[BobVonBob]

23 minutes ago, YoungBlade said:

Whoever told you that performance is worse with more sticks doesn't know what they're talking about. Although, to be fair, it's really about ranks, not sticks, but 4 sticks guarantees at least 2 ranks, and 4 single rank sticks will perform better on modern CPUs than 2 single rank sticks.

Nope. I'm the dumbass. I was thinking of overclocking, where 4 sticks won't be able to get the same numbers as 2 sticks, but in normal use they're fine.

[Guest]

7 minutes ago, BobVonBob said:

Nope. I'm the dumbass. I was thinking of overclocking, where 4 sticks will degrade performance, but in normal use they're fine.

Yep, but not a dumb ass. Had it right the first time. 

2 sticks OC better than 4 in most cases, so there's more performance to be had. 

 

I'd do the two by sixteen as well.

 

1 hour ago, F10_9sday2u said:

 

Solution 2: 2 by 16gb rams from G. Skill Trident Z NEO DDR4-3600 CL18  

 

This kit would be the one I'd get. F4-3600C16D-32GTZN

Be sure the kit does NOT have a "C" at the end of the above part number.

 

 

 

[F10_9sday2u]

6 minutes ago, ShrimpBrime said:

Yep, but not a dumb ass. Had it right the first time. 

2 sticks OC better than 4 in most cases, so there's more performance to be had. 

 

I'd do the two by sixteen as well.

 

This kit would be the one I'd get. F4-3600C16D-32GTZN

Be sure the kit does NOT have a "C" at the end of the above part number.

 

 

 

I got the F4-3600C18D-32GTZR which your are 

 

 

I believe between cl16 and cl18 will not be a big difference am I correct？ If I dont do OC.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, F10_9sday2u said:

I got the F4-3600C18D-32GTZR which your are 

 

 

I believe between cl16 and cl18 will not be a big difference am I correct？ If I dont do OC.

It's the Die quality and scaling you want. The CL 18 kit probably won't do it's rated frequency. 

 

Gotta remember the CPU memory controller is only good for 3200mt/s, so it would be wise to spend the better money on the better kit. The one I gave you is a B-Die set. Very fast. 16-16-16-36. It would be measurable and a noticeable difference between them two kits believe it or not. Just for the fact the B-Die kit is much more likely to run it's rated frequency on your setup.

 

@freeagent could probably give you some pointers with tweaking also. 

[Chris Pratt]

The optimum number of DIMMs is always the number channels, so two sticks is always better from a stability perspective. You'll get better performance with four total ranks, though. However, that can be achieved with either 2x dual rank or 4x single rank.

 

While true that going with two gives you the ability to add two more later to upgrade, in practice that's generally not the best approach anyways. You're far better off just flipping your existing kit on the used market and buying a new kit of two at a higher capacity. You can easily run into compatibility issues even if you buy the "same" kit later, as manufacturers often change dies over time, and that's assuming you can actually still find the same kit later when you want to upgrade. Long and short, it shouldn't be a factor in your decision one way or another.

 

The 5900X is very memory sensitive, both due to the multi-CCD design and the workloads it will be tasked to do. If you're just gaming or something, you don't need that CPU anyways. You should get 3600MHz CL16, and then try to push it to 3800MHz or higher, if you can. Anything less, though, and you're leaving performance on the table.

[F10_9sday2u]

10 minutes ago, ShrimpBrime said:

It's the Die quality and scaling you want. The CL 18 kit probably won't do it's rated frequency. 

 

Gotta remember the CPU memory controller is only good for 3200mt/s, so it would be wise to spend the better money on the better kit. The one I gave you is a B-Die set. Very fast. 16-16-16-36. It would be measurable and a noticeable difference between them two kits believe it or not. Just for the fact the B-Die kit is much more likely to run it's rated frequency on your setup.

 

@freeagent could probably give you some pointers with tweaking also. 

Ok I just brought it from the one you sent to me. Thank you for help me out.

[Guest]

1 minute ago, F10_9sday2u said:

Ok I just brought it from the one you sent to me. Thank you for help me out.

You could have looked around for a better price, but at least we know it's the right kit. (cause I checked it).

 

And you're welcome.

[F10_9sday2u]

13 minutes ago, Chris Pratt said:

The optimum number of DIMMs is always the number channels, so two sticks is always better from a stability perspective. You'll get better performance with four total ranks, though. However, that can be achieved with either 2x dual rank or 4x single rank.

 

While true that going with two gives you the ability to add two more later to upgrade, in practice that's generally not the best approach anyways. You're far better off just flipping your existing kit on the used market and buying a new kit of two at a higher capacity.

You can easily run into compatibility issues even if you buy the "same" kit later, as manufacturers often change dies over time, and that's assuming you can actually still find the same kit later when you want to upgrade. Long and short, it shouldn't be a factor in your decision one way or another.

 

The 5900X is very memory sensitive, both due to the multi-CCD design and the workloads it will be tasked to do. If you're just gaming or something, you don't need that CPU anyways. You should get 3600MHz CL16, and then try to push it to 3800MHz or higher, if you can. Anything less, though, and you're leaving performance on the table.

Thank you for your patient answer, I have mentioned, I need this machine for 3d modeling and rendering (which I believe memory is not the biggest part for me). Otherwise, I am good with my old built.

 

Then this question should be technically solved. I believe now I just need to make a decision whether pay additional $100 for 2 sticks less, and an upgrade opportunity with possible compatibility issues in the future.

 

Honestly, I will prefer trident Z just because of the sharp-edge looking, and I dont really fancy with RGB lighting stuff because they gonna go under my desk anyway, ok I admitted that I brought a 4000D airflow case and three white corsairs LED Fan. Oh that's right, my CPU cooling is Noctua NH-D15, which I am not really able to see the trident z anyway.

 

[freeagent]

1 hour ago, Chris Pratt said:

The optimum number of DIMMs is always the number channels, so two sticks is always better from a stability perspective. You'll get better performance with four total ranks, though. However, that can be achieved with either 2x dual rank or 4x single rank.

Nah.. You can achieve supreme stability with 4 sticks with not much effort. Granted, you wont get 4 to scale as far as 2.. but I also have a hard time beating scores or times that I have posted with 4 sticks by running 2 faster, sometimes much much faster. My 3200C14 sticks have been to 4200 flat 14s, and 4400 flat 15s..they can go a bit faster but not sure if I run into a board limitation or the sticks themselves.. not bad for 3200s.. When it gets a little colder I will play with some voltage, I don't have much though.. Dammit Strix.

 

1 hour ago, Chris Pratt said:

The 5900X is very memory sensitive, both due to the multi-CCD design and the workloads it will be tasked to do. If you're just gaming or something, you don't need that CPU anyways.

Its not as sensitive as 5600X, 5800X, or 5900X because it is slightly detuned. I read that somewhere on the internet. I have been down to 48-49ns with my 5600X, but usually see the rest of the lineup in the 51-53ns range. I really had to lean on mine to get into 53ns range. I am normally around 54-55ns.. I have seen a couple of freak 5900s running like a 5600X but there is a skilled operator running that machine.

 

Anywhoo.. I wouldn't mind trying a good 2x 16GB B-Die kit.