3 sticks of ram

[rezo]

I currently have 16GB of ram (2x8 3200 MHz), I often hit 16000 MB of usage which is like 97.7% usage so I was considering buying a third stick of 8GB ram stick.

Will this cause the pair of ram to no longer work in dual channel mode or would it be the case that only 2 sticks will be running in dual channel and the third will just be in single channel?

I record a lot on OBS and that often uses 9-10GB of ram which only gives me 6GB left for games and other applications.

Many thanks, I just dont see the need to spend an extra £45 on a pair of 16GB when I only really need an extra 8GB.

[Supafly]

Dual channel is when they are in paired Dimm slots on your motherboard. If you have 4 Dimm slots you can run up to two sets of memory in dual mode. so a 3rd module would run in single mode.

If you really need more memory and have 2 available Dimm slots I'd go for 2 x 4GB modules so they will also run in dual mode. Better than a larger module running in single.

[Omega]

That extra stick will run in single channel, meaning it's only half as fast as the other two modules.

If you upgrade RAM get another kit of 2 modules identical to your current modules to avoid issues and get the best performance possible.

If you have an AMD Ryzen system be aware that installing more then 2 modules will massively reduce the maximum supported/achievable RAM speed.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Best to just get the same matching 2x8 GB kit you already have to avoid any possible issues with memory.

[rezo]

Hmm okay, I was just thinking it seems unnecessary to have to buy twice as much ram as needed but oh well its only £45 plus it looks better in pairs anyway. Nothing nicer than a full row of ram stick on your mobo :)

[AdahnGorion]

引用自 Suicidal Monkey：

Dual channel is when they are in paired Dimm slots on your motherboard. If you have 4 Dimm slots you can run up to two sets of memory in dual mode. so a 3rd module would run in single mode.

If you really need more memory and have 2 available Dimm slots I'd go for 2 x 4GB modules so they will also run in dual mode. Better than a larger module running in single.

He can do the single without issue. All the "you need the same brand, same duals, etc" is old myths. That being said, I reckon most people are not even running 3200mhz (not all mb´s allow and you have to do it manually in bios)

16 gb should also be enough for the forseeable future, if it is just for gaming
If you have the cash, go for the 16, if not, just buy that one stick! again! it does not even have to be the exact same brand, modern MB, if proper, can easily run them without issues.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

引用自 Darkie：

引用自 Suicidal Monkey：

Dual channel is when they are in paired Dimm slots on your motherboard. If you have 4 Dimm slots you can run up to two sets of memory in dual mode. so a 3rd module would run in single mode.

If you really need more memory and have 2 available Dimm slots I'd go for 2 x 4GB modules so they will also run in dual mode. Better than a larger module running in single.

He can do the single without issue. All the "you need the same brand, same duals, etc" is old myths. That being said, I reckon most people are not even running 3200mhz (not all mb´s allow and you have to do it manually in bios)

This particular "myth" has always served me well.

[AdahnGorion]

引用自 Rumpelcrutchskin：

引用自 Darkie：

He can do the single without issue. All the "you need the same brand, same duals, etc" is old myths. That being said, I reckon most people are not even running 3200mhz (not all mb´s allow and you have to do it manually in bios)

This particular "myth" has always served me well.

Maybe in 99´

My point here is that with modern MB´s and in general quality items, this is not an issue. There are many myths and there are many weird ones, again like the "it has to be the exact same models" ... that is simply not the case.

But I understand why people do it, I am prone to do so myself, but techically it does not do any difference and many that have tried have no issue.. I am certain some of the bigger tech forums have threads or video´s about this as well.

[Omega]

引用自 Darkie：

引用自 Suicidal Monkey：

Dual channel is when they are in paired Dimm slots on your motherboard. If you have 4 Dimm slots you can run up to two sets of memory in dual mode. so a 3rd module would run in single mode.

If you really need more memory and have 2 available Dimm slots I'd go for 2 x 4GB modules so they will also run in dual mode. Better than a larger module running in single.

He can do the single without issue. All the "you need the same brand, same duals, etc" is old myths. That being said, I reckon most people are not even running 3200mhz (not all mb´s allow and you have to do it manually in bios)

16 gb should also be enough for the forseeable future, if it is just for gaming
If you have the cash, go for the 16, if not, just buy that one stick! again! it does not even have to be the exact same brand, modern MB, if proper, can easily run them without issues.

Brand has little to do with RAM compatibility.

You can have two modules of the same brand say Corsair yet both modules use chips from different manufacturers and therefor they do not work well together.

Mixing RAM rarely causes stability issues, but it's best to try avoiding being put in a situation where your system doesn't run properly or doesn't run at all because you are mixing RAM. It's mainly performance which is affected when mixing RAM on modern machines, you can see a sizable hit in memory performance when mixing RAM.

[Supafly]

引用自 Darkie：

引用自 Suicidal Monkey：

Dual channel is when they are in paired Dimm slots on your motherboard. If you have 4 Dimm slots you can run up to two sets of memory in dual mode. so a 3rd module would run in single mode.

If you really need more memory and have 2 available Dimm slots I'd go for 2 x 4GB modules so they will also run in dual mode. Better than a larger module running in single.

He can do the single without issue. All the "you need the same brand, same duals, etc" is old myths.

Notice I didn't say anything about the same ram or it's Speed, CL or anything else. I only recommended going for 2 x 4GB instead of a single 8GB module.

That said. Memory will always run at the slowest module. So Trying to get the spec the same is always a good idea. No point having 4000Mhz CL 12 memory if you're going to add 2400Mhz CL17 module/s. That'll only cap the more expensive 4000Mhz memory speeds

[AdahnGorion]

引用自 Suicidal Monkey：

引用自 Darkie：

He can do the single without issue. All the "you need the same brand, same duals, etc" is old myths.

Notice I didn't say anything about the same ram or it's Speed, CL or anything else. I only recommended going for 2 x 4GB instead of a single 8GB module.

That said. Memory will always run at the slowest module. So Trying to get the spec the same is always a good idea. No point having 4000Mhz CL 12 memory if you're going to add 2400Mhz CL17 module/s. That'll only cap the more expensive 4000Mhz memory speeds

Fair enough.

Most MB don´t even run 3200 even when it is put on in bios.. just saying.. most people buy ram at high mhz, then they think it runs the speed...... it is rather low capped on most systems. (yes I know some of us knows how to go in and turn it on, but even then if you have a awful mb you can get instability)

So in many cases, with the avarage user as long as it is not below 2133 mhz, it will be just fine...
Else I agree.

[rezo]

引用自 Darkie：

引用自 Suicidal Monkey：

Notice I didn't say anything about the same ram or it's Speed, CL or anything else. I only recommended going for 2 x 4GB instead of a single 8GB module.

That said. Memory will always run at the slowest module. So Trying to get the spec the same is always a good idea. No point having 4000Mhz CL 12 memory if you're going to add 2400Mhz CL17 module/s. That'll only cap the more expensive 4000Mhz memory speeds

Fair enough.

Most MB don´t even run 3200 even when it is put on in bios.. just saying.. most people buy ram at high mhz, then they think it runs the speed...... it is rather low capped on most systems. (yes I know some of us knows how to go in and turn it on, but even then if you have a awful mb you can get instability)

So in many cases, with the avarage user as long as it is not below 2133 mhz, it will be just fine...
Else I agree.

I'd assume most people who have built their own pc would know to turn on XMP profiles for their ram sticks? Most people check clockspeeds when they first boot up a newly built pc to make sure their cpu and ram are running at the right speeds. I have a Z390 boards and my ram is certainly running at full speeds and my 9600k is at 5 GHz.

Id say more people are faulty to not switching their new 144hz display to 144hz on the display adaptor options and leaving it at 60Hz with the placebo effect of it feeling like 144hz then settings their ram to run at 3200 MHz or whatever

[AdahnGorion]

引用自 rezo：

引用自 Darkie：

Fair enough.

Most MB don´t even run 3200 even when it is put on in bios.. just saying.. most people buy ram at high mhz, then they think it runs the speed...... it is rather low capped on most systems. (yes I know some of us knows how to go in and turn it on, but even then if you have a awful mb you can get instability)

So in many cases, with the avarage user as long as it is not below 2133 mhz, it will be just fine...
Else I agree.

I'd assume most people who have built their own pc would know to turn on XMP profiles for their ram sticks? Most people check clockspeeds when they first boot up a newly built pc to make sure their cpu and ram are running at the right speeds. I have a Z390 boards and my ram is certainly running at full speeds and my 9600k is at 5 GHz.

Id say more people are faulty to not switching their new 144hz display to 144hz on the display adaptor options and leaving it at 60Hz with the placebo effect of it feeling like 144hz then settings their ram to run at 3200 MHz or whatever

Both are actually more common faults. Believe it or not.
My point was that it is more complex. But mixing size, brands, etc does not hurt stability (we all agree) yes if on AMD build, do dual I reckon that is fair enough. (I don´t use that)
But 2666 mhz is actually a sweetspot for performance anyway..

[rezo]

引用自 Darkie：

引用自 rezo：

I'd assume most people who have built their own pc would know to turn on XMP profiles for their ram sticks? Most people check clockspeeds when they first boot up a newly built pc to make sure their cpu and ram are running at the right speeds. I have a Z390 boards and my ram is certainly running at full speeds and my 9600k is at 5 GHz.

Id say more people are faulty to not switching their new 144hz display to 144hz on the display adaptor options and leaving it at 60Hz with the placebo effect of it feeling like 144hz then settings their ram to run at 3200 MHz or whatever

Both are actually more common faults. Believe it or not.
My point was that it is more complex. But mixing size, brands, etc does not hurt stability (we all agree) yes if on AMD build, do dual I reckon that is fair enough. (I don´t use that)
But 2666 mhz is actually a sweetspot for performance anyway..

To get the most Id use 3000 or 3200. I believe Ryzen likes higher clockspeeds and the difference between 2666 and 3200 is quite vast in terms of performance, only a few titles like BFV sees no difference in performance. 3200 Mhz CL16 is probably best in terms of price to performance ratio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CloyuBw_E_0

[_I_]

ram timings are as important as speed
3000 cl15 is very close to 3200 cl16

3 dimms will be in mixed dual+single ch mode
the board will run the pair in the same colored slots in dual ch, and the remaining dimm in single ch
its best to leave it in, as any ram will be faster than page file on hdd or ssd (even nvme ssd)
the board will fill the dual ch kit before using the single ch dimm

similar to how a board will use 2 different sized dimms in dual ch
2x the smaller dimm will be at dual ch speeds, the remaining ram will be at single ch speed

[Supafly]

引用自 _I_：

ram timings are as important as speed
3000 cl15 is very close to 3200 cl16

Yup, ever so close

True Latency (ns) Clock Cycle Time (ns)
3000 MHz CL 15 10.05 0.67
3200 MHz CL 16 10.08 0.63


Have nice bookmark of a Reddit Post showing RAM speed and CL equivalance.

Not a complete list of all possible RAM available (doesn't show mine ) but was interesting to see a simple table.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/63gc1s/ram_speed_and_cl_equivalance/