Memory Upgrade

[Shortcut]

I currently have 32gb DDR4 3200 CL18 a friend wants to sell me his 32gb DDR4 4000 CL15 for about a $100 as he is building a new rig with DDR5. I fly in DCS in VR with setting maxed out using my system below 13700K, RTX 4090 and Pimax Crystal getting about 90 FPS.

Can anybody tell me if I would notice any difference in frame rate and would it be worth putting in more money in this pc.

Thanks

[kksnowbear]

Many people here will agree DCS can use more than 32g and therefore 64g has become kind of a standard of sorts. It does depend on the circumstances, but if you can afford it, it can help avoid the really bad things that happen when memory capacity is inadequate.

Increased memory capacity alone will not directly affect frame rate, though it can affect how "smooth" things feel by avoiding the problems I mentioned above. 

Mixing memory modules is just usually not a good idea.  You MUST be very careful with different modules as you have indicated (your 32g not same as friends).  I will say that generally this is not recommended at all, and it can definitely cause problems. So unless you're absolutely sure, I'd consider another way.

One alternative is to find someone who's willing to take your 32g in trade toward a 64G set.  There are reputable sellers who offer this.  So I'm not accused of posting just to try to sell stuff (utter BS regardless), PM me if this interests you at all.

Good luck

 

Edited March 23, 2024 by kksnowbear

[Shortcut]

Memory is a matched set I would never mix memory. If I go to 64gb it would be on a new mother board with DDR5. I'm thinking this might be a cheap way to get some more FPS in DCS and X-Plane.

[kksnowbear]

Oh, my apologies, I thought you were saying you'd go to 64G by adding his 32G set to yours.

If you're talking about just changing your 32G 3200 set to his 4000 set, then no, not worth it IMHO. Not gonna do crap for frame rates and would hardly even be noticeable (if at all) IMHO.  As I said, memory capacity of itself will not directly affect frame rate (in any game) and, within the same general range, speed won't either.  RAM just won't affect frame rate that much (despite what thousands of idiots on Reddit and YouTube might try to claim).

It's certainly not going to make enough difference that you could even tell, if you're already getting 90FPS per your first post, assuming nothing else in the system changes.  For example: If we assume RAM contributes to overall performance something on the order of 5% on an otherwise identical system - which is fair and reasonable - and then you increase speed (MT) of RAM by even 25%...then that's a 25% increase in a 5% factor...the change in overall system performance would be around 1.25% (or in terms of FPS, from 90 to ~91).

If we assign generous values, and say RAM speed in MT is a 10% factor (double the example above), then a 25% increase in RAM speed might equate to a couple more frames (~93...95?).  I doubt you or anyone else can reliably tell the difference in 90 and 95 FPS (although at certain key thresholds with VR, a small change could make a big difference, I don't think it applies to the difference in 90 and 95FPS).

Mind you these are oversimplifications, strictly intended to illustrate the point about RAM effect on overall performance.  It might vary a bit in one game or another, or depending on settings, resolution, etc blah, blah freakin' blah.  Either way, the general idea still applies.

LOL Nobody would pay hundreds (or thousands) for a GPU, if $100 worth of RAM would make a 20% difference in frame rate

As for 32G v 64:  You might not encounter the same RAM limits others have noted.  Depends on a number of factors, but it is widely reported that people see more than 32G used on certain maps, missions, MP etc.

Edited March 23, 2024 by kksnowbear

[WipeUout]

The only possible advantage would be if you move from a 4 stick config to a 2 stick config.  Using 4 stick can be very demanding for the mobo memory controller and can cause crashes in DCS, always more safe to use only two sticks.  If your firend is proposing 2 sticks of 16GB and you are using 4 sticks of 8BG, then it might be a good move.