Memory 32GB / 64GB? 3000Mhz ,32OOMhz

[PLUTON]

I would like to increase my memory
I have 2 16GB sticks clocked at 3000 Mhz
and I would just have to buy 2 other identical sticks.
But I wonder if it is better for me to buy everything to go to 3200 Ghz.
Is there a big difference between 3000 Ghz and 3200Ghz?
Is the difference felt, or is it insignificant?
Please advise me

[Hiob]

1 hour ago, PLUTON said:

I would like to increase my memory
I have 2 16GB sticks clocked at 3000 Mhz
and I would just have to buy 2 other identical sticks.
But I wonder if it is better for me to buy everything to go to 3200 Ghz.
Is there a big difference between 3000 Ghz and 3200Ghz?
Is the difference felt, or is it insignificant?
Please advise me

200 Megatransfers are probably not noticable in practice. Double so since four sticks are slower than two (also barely noticable but still).
 

What are your system specs in general? Intel, Ryzen, Chipset?

The sweetspot for a Ryzen 5000 system for examble would be 2x32GB 3600 MTs

Edited October 22, 2024 by Hiob

[speed-of-heat]

its unlikely you would see any difference between 3200 and 3000 though a lot would depend on your config... but the edge cases are rare enough to say "don't worry about it"

 

[Hiob]

The easiest, least headacke option probably is to simply get another pair of the exact same sticks you already have. That's sure. If the small improvement of 2x32GB 3200 is worth it, pretty much depends on the price. But realisticly it won't be most likely.

[kksnowbear]

2 hours ago, PLUTON said:

I would like to increase my memory
I have 2 16GB sticks clocked at 3000 Mhz
and I would just have to buy 2 other identical sticks.
But I wonder if it is better for me to buy everything to go to 3200 Ghz.
Is there a big difference between 3000 Ghz and 3200Ghz?
Is the difference felt, or is it insignificant?
Please advise me

Extremely unlikely you're going to be able to tell the difference in 3000 and 3200 unless you're measuring with some sort of utility.  In 'real life' usage, you'll never notice.  The benefit is going to the larger memory capacity (particularly in DCS) and buying two more 16G modules is possibly cheaper than two 32s.

Just make sure the modules you add are *exactly* the same as the ones you have.  This is tricky sometimes, since the modules don't always indicate what version they are.  "Version" in memory modules can mean different hardware *and/or* software: Memory modules have software loaded on their hardware (tiny chip on the modules); using the Serial Presence Detect ['SPD'] mechanism this info is read by the motherboard.  That's why it's important to use the same version.

Finding modules that match yours exactly isn't often easy.  Can you provide info on your system and the modules specifically?

37 minutes ago, Hiob said:

Double so since four sticks are slower than two (also barely noticable but still).

That's not always accurate.  A lot of factors enter into it, but as a 'blanket statement', saying four sticks are always slower than two is inaccurate.  Reliable sources online say otherwise.

Edited October 22, 2024 by kksnowbear

[Hiob]

34 minutes ago, kksnowbear said:

That's not always accurate.  A lot of factors enter into it, but as a 'blanket statement', saying four sticks are always slower than two is inaccurate.  Reliable sources online say otherwise.

You're right. What I had in mind was the stability and potential for overclocking. But that doesn't apply here.
 

[PLUTON]

my config: Gigabyte Z270-HD3P motherboard

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz 4.20 GHz Overclocker to 4.8 GHz

32GB DDR 4 to 3000MHz Corsaire Vengeance LPX 2X16GB

NVIDIA GeForece RTX 2080

VR : HP REVERB  G2

[Hiob]

14 minutes ago, PLUTON said:

my config: Gigabyte Z270-HD3P motherboard

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7700K CPU @ 4.20GHz 4.20 GHz Overclocker to 4.8 GHz

32GB DDR 4 to 3000MHz Corsaire Vengeance LPX 2X16GB

NVIDIA GeForece RTX 2080

VR : HP REVERB  G2

I'm pretty confident that you won't notice any difference between 3000 or 3200 or two vs. four sticks. Just go the easiest and probably cheapest way and buy another set of you're existing 2x16 to make it 4x16. Just make sure it is the same RAM with the same timings.

[PLUTON]

Ref of my current memory

DDR 4 a 3000MHz Corsaire Vengeance LPX 2X16Go
CMK32GX4M2B3000C15 3000MHz (16-17-17-36) 1.36V

Ref of the memory I found

DDR 4 a 3000MHz Corsaire Vengeance LPX 2X16Go
CMK32GX4M2D3000C16 3000MHz (16-18-18-36) 1.35V

Are these two references compatible?

 

[Hiob]

1 minute ago, PLUTON said:

Ref of my current memory

DDR 4 a 3000MHz Corsaire Vengeance LPX 2X16Go
CMK32GX4M2B3000C15 3000MHz (16-17-17-36) 1.36V

Ref of the memory I found

DDR 4 a 3000MHz Corsaire Vengeance LPX 2X16Go
CMK32GX4M2D3000C16 3000MHz (16-18-18-36) 1.35V

Are these two references compatible?

 

When you can't find the exact same specs you're playing it save when you dial in the less tight timings. Then it should work without issues. Depending on the sophistication of your MoBo it will probably choose the "correct* settings on it's own.

Just to be clear, you can (generally) mix and mismatch RAM. It will work, most likely without noticeable issues, it just isn't ideal in regards to performance.
A slight mismatch in XMP timings in negligible, since the actual timings are controlled by the Mobo anyways.

[PLUTON]

Thanks for your answers.
So I can put them together without any worries for my performances?

[Hiob]

3 minutes ago, PLUTON said:

Thanks for your answers.
So I can put them together without any worries for my performances?

I would think so. And personally I wouldn't hesitate, but of course I'm no authority and you take the risk yourself.

[PLUTON]

thank you
anyway it will always be better than it is at the moment
thank you Mr Hiob

[PLUTON]

Several users say that you currently need 64 GB of memory because 32 GB
is too little for DCS
Is this really the case?

[speed-of-heat]

short answer yes, long answer it depends a lot on your settings, but in VR yes, online in VR definitely 

also stickjing DCS on an SSD (super cheap) is highly recommended

[diego999]

26 minutes ago, PLUTON said:

Several users say that you currently need 64 GB of memory because 32 GB
is too little for DCS
Is this really the case?

 

Yes. Specially if you play VR or multiplayer.

[BitMaster]

64GB !

forget 32GB if you upgrade, go 64.

[PLUTON]

Ok I play in VR at 90% but do not play in multiplayer, only in solo.
DCS installed on a 2 Tera SSD 4 hard drives (1 SSD 2Tera, 2 SSD 1 Tera, and a 2 Tera 7200 RPM hard drive just to store movies or videos, photos)
For now I will start by increasing my RAM then the processor and the video card.
But one thing at a time
Thank you for your answers it helps me a lot
have a good flight everyone

[kksnowbear]

Following my earlier comments:

On the question of using four memory modules vs two:  I have built now perhaps a dozen DDR5 machines, and over the years maybe hundreds of DDR4 units (plus hundreds more DDR3 units?).   For various reasons, almost every single one of these builds has always had fully populated RAM slots.  (4 modules if the board has four slots; most of these have).  These machines are client builds, extensively tested before leaving the shop.  I have never had problems with stability, or with getting all four modules to run at rated speed (that is, the advertised  MT/s listed on the packaging/manufacturer's documentation).  IOW, neither stability nor performance has been an issue, whatsoever.

It is an 'internet myth" that four modules are always faster than two, and it's also a myth that four modules is somehow inherently unstable - provided they are handled properly as regards configuration, selecting decent modules and a decent board, etc.

Of course, using more modules vs fewer will always have certain requirements, as a simple matter of physics and electronics.  But these - for me - have not been an issue, and an experienced builder should know how to avoid the problems.

As for using modules of different values, there is a reason that *all* the memory companies tell you not to 'mix and match' modules (especially speeds and timings).  It's not that it can never work - it can (in some limited and specific instances) especially in the right hands...but then there's also more ways than not that it can go wrong.

The problem occurs when someone who isn't experienced tries to do it.  They can encounter problems, and won't have any idea what to do. (I have seen my share of machines that had the memory configuration completely wrong, and the owner didn't have a clue).  Like the memory vendors, I don't recommend it for that reason.

Hence, the responsible, prudent advice is (of course) "Don't do it."  Naturally, everyone is free to make their own choice.

Edited October 22, 2024 by kksnowbear

[Aapje]

@kksnowbear

Building a new system with 4 populated RAM slots is far less error prone than going from 2 to 4. Any difference in timings can wreck havoc with stability, but most people only understand the speeds and think that any 3200 kit (for example) is the same as any other 3200 kit.

Even if you buy the same product name at different moments, you might actually be getting memory from different manufacturers with different timings (almost all memory is made by a different company than the one that is selling it and they can switch manufacturers to save money). Only when buying the 4 sticks of the same product name at the same time, are you almost certain to get 4 times the exact same thing, that comes from the same batch.

This is why I would always advise replacing/installing all memory in 1 go, if reasonably possible. For a gamer with relatively low RAM requirements, that would generally mean something like removing the existing 2x8 or 2x16 kit and replacing it with a new 2x16 or 2x32 kit.

[Hiob]

34 minutes ago, Aapje said:

@kksnowbear

Any difference in timings can wreck havoc with stability

"Any" is the wrong term here. As I said - memory timings and subtimings are controlled by the MoBo. You can always loosen the timings and the RAM stick will be happy.
Problems start to rise when you try to force the sharper timings on the inferior RAM sticks. 

Regarding two vs. four sticks. Four sticks do put more stress on the memory controller. For regular use (and users) that isn't a concern. For all normal uses including XMP-Profiles it'll work just fine either way. It the edge cases (as always) like extreme (memory) overclocking where it will make a difference in stability.

I don't think this is a concern of the OP though. 

If somebody really wnat to go down that particular rabbit hole, I recommend this youtube channel. This guy is a wizard:

https://www.youtube.com/@ActuallyHardcoreOverclocking

Edited October 23, 2024 by Hiob

[Aapje]

5 minutes ago, Hiob said:

"Any" is the wrong term here. As I said - memory timings and subtimings are controlled by the MoBo.

Technically that is true, but if you enable XMP/EXPO, then the motherboard uses the timings that are defined on the RAM stick. So if you have RAM sticks with different XMP/EXPO settings, you get a mess.

Of course you can override that, but very few people run custom timings. Figuring out what timings work by yourself is beyond most users, and my advice to replace the entire kit is exactly to prevent people from getting into a situation that they are unable to get themselves out of, because of a lack of skills, time, or willingness to take the effort.

[speed-of-heat]

depends on the MB... many will now default to the "loosest" settings , some are even downright smart about it... 

[Hiob]

12 minutes ago, speed-of-heat said:

depends on the MB... many will now default to the "loosest" settings , some are even downright smart about it... 

Correct. That's exactly what I've mentioned earlier as well.
Either way the MoBo will only choose one XMP profile for all sticks and if they are as close together as the ones OP listed, I would be very surprised if any problems would show.

Also, using XMP profiles is technically overclocking. It is not guarantieed to work.

To be clear. I didn't mean to advocate for mixing wildly different Sticks. I would always stick at least to the same brand, dies, clock and main timings. Just in the specific match OP suggested I personally would confidently risk it. 

[kksnowbear]

4 hours ago, Aapje said:

Building a new system with 4 populated RAM slots is far less error prone than going from 2 to 4.

I didn't actually say that all the systems I fully populated were fitted with all new memory purchased at the same time.  In fact, only the newer AM5 systems were.   I added two sticks to almost all of the earlier builds, quite successfully.

It's not necessary to buy four modules all at once in order to achieve a positive outcome.  A good builder is familiar with the differences in the modules, and thus knows how to go about properly matching modules for adding to a system with open slots.

As I already said above, I do not recommend any mixing and matching, and that's the same recommendation the memory brands all make.

I'm fully aware of the fact that manufacturers can and have changed devices (memory chips) yet still used the same part number etc.  This is among the reasons I said earlier that finding matched modules can be tricky, and that modules added should be *exactly* the same as the ones you already have.

Exactly the same pretty much means...well, exactly the same.

Anything else requires additional consideration.  It can work, but it's not something I recommend for a user who isn't experienced.

I would concede even matching modules isn't 100% perfect and absolute - but than again, neither is buying four brand new sticks, if you want to get right down to it.

Carefully matching all four sticks is the best chance for stability etc.  But they don't necessarily need to be purchased/replaced as a set.

Also, not all motherboards will always handle different speeds and timings as they should.  Not by a mile.  Some won't allow it at all.  That depends on the board and the BIOS.  Many do, but not by far all - so IMO it's not the best advice to tell an inexperienced user that it's OK.

Better to advise avoiding the problem to begin with, IMO.

For me the deal is this: Either you're experienced, and should therefore know what you're doing, in which case go for it.  But then you're not likely to post on a flight sim forum asking how to do it.

*Or* You're a 'user' who isn't experienced, in which case I'd advise that you stick with exact matches, and TBH I'd still recommend you solicit the help of someone who can help find exact modules.  If this isn't practical, for whatever reason, then yes you might be better off finding a set of 4 identical modules.

Edited October 23, 2024 by kksnowbear