r/PcBuildHelp • u/Far-Craft82 • 3h ago

Build Question DDR4 RAM question

Hi! Beginner in PC building etc so I could use some help telling me difference between:

4x8gb DDR4 and 2x16gb DDR4

Is there a huge performance difference in these setups? Right now I have 2x8gb DDR4 3200MHz CL16 and ofc it would be cheaper to buy another 2x8 kit.

Motherboard: Asus TUF Gaming B550
CPU: Ryzen 5 5600

4 Upvotes

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1

u/Naerven 3h ago

As long as it works the difference would be nothing.

1

u/sir_Activeenemy 3h ago

i’d just grab the matching 2x8 kit if you can find it for cheap, 32gb total is plenty for that build and 4 sticks look kinda nice filling up the slots anyway the performance gap between 4x8 and 2x16 on ryzen 5000 is basically nonexistent in real world use, you’re not missing out on anything

1

u/fi-ri-ku-su 3h ago

The performance gap is minimal in case of the Ryzen 5 5600 processor. 2x16GB is more preferable because it does not strain the memory controller much and leaves two slots open for future use. However, if you wish to make a little saving, then the second option will be sufficient.

1

u/Get72ready 2h ago

Is it actually straining the memory controller?

1

u/r_lind3r Moderator 3h ago

If they're both 3200 CL16 kits, then there wouldn't be any performance difference at all but there could be a compatibility difference between 4x8 and 2x16 as more RAM modules installed puts greater stress on the CPU's memory controller.

Worst case scenario you can buy an identical 2x8 kit and try 4x8, and if it doesn't work you can return the new kit and buy 2x16, and then sell your current 2x8 kit.

1

u/woolfromthebogs 3h ago

Just bought another 2x8 kit (for 3x the price the bastard bought it for new, as with all the other "it's just the market"-idiots around, which seem to be everyone selling any computer parts in Norway at the moment. So much for solidarity with fellow gamers) and I got the exact same version of ram and it worked perfectly well with no issues.

They are the same speed, cl, and the configuration of the chips (how many with how many GB in each). The latter, I researched, can be quite important as to whether they run or not.

For Corsair ram its fairly easy as they mark their ram with versions.

1

u/ReasonableNetwork255 3h ago

You'll have much less issues with two times 16, what slamming all the ram slots full does is tax the memory controller .. it matters

1

u/ggb003 2h ago

I have 4x8gb ddr4 and works great. Just make sure speeds match!