RAM recommendation?

[Iggy Wolf]

So I think my current RAM sticks are corrupted and/or bad basically. I think I have an ASUS Prime B560M-A motherboard. I'm looking at the Corsair Vengeance 16 GB DDR4 3200 LGA sticks. PCPartPicker however says that there's a "space compatibility issue. And they're right. my current CPU fan blocks the first slot of the RAM.

So the current sticks I think are in Slot 2 and 4. However, PCPartPicker does show that my current motherboard does have RAM slotted next to each other as opposed to having one slot free between them. Should I install the new RAM if I buy it in Slot 3 and 4 as well? Or keep it in Slot 2 and 4 as it is? Since that's actually how dual-channel memory works?

[Electric Cupcake]

Look in the motherboard manual for ram configurations and timings, and possibly check uefi settings for active slots and timings.

[Iggy Wolf]

Electric Cupcake님이 먼저 게시:

Look in the motherboard manual for ram configurations and timings, and possibly check uefi settings for active slots and timings.

PC was a pre-built, so didn't really come with a motherboard manual. Although I know the site probably has one. As far as I can tell, the current sticks are Oloy 16 GB 3200 MHz CL16 1.35V 288-Pin Desktop Gaming UDIMM. Really not that different from the Corsair Vengeance ones that I'm looking at. My RAM is currently running dual-channel though. Although my CPU limits my RAM speed (even with XMP enabled) to a maximum of 2933 Mhz. And my task manager shows it as DIMM form factor rather than UDIMM.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Look at the Motherboard model via CPU-Z
Then google it.

Most prebuilds don't support much in the way of higher RAM; like for example; most prebuilds that have an AM4 Motherboard would only support around 2666 or 3000 for the DDR4 RAM

The Slot placements do not matter, as long as CPU-Z reports its in Dual Channel Mode; if it is, then they are fine however they are installed.

Usually it's slots 1 & 3 or 2 & 4
They are never in a 1-2 or 3-4 config for Dual Channel Mode on a 4x DIMM slot Motherboard from my experiences over the years.

[Illusion of Progress]

If you're replacing the RAM (and it sounds like you are), it should be in slots 2 and 4 as it currently is.

The other other combination that retains dual channel performance is slots 1 and 3, but that is the same as having them in slots 2 and 4 except with slots 2 and 4 now empty, they will be acting as "open ends" and it will add electrical interference, which makes the configuration harder to stabilize.

It might still work... but there's no reason to use slows 1 and 3 on a 4 DIMM slot, daisy chain motherboard (which almost all modern motherboards are).

[Iggy Wolf]

Bad 💀 Motha님이 먼저 게시:

Look at the Motherboard model via CPU-Z
Then google it.

Most prebuilds don't support much in the way of higher RAM; like for example; most prebuilds that have an AM4 Motherboard would only support around 2666 or 3000 for the DDR4 RAM

Related to my other response in my other thread. Yeah, this one only supports up to 3000 DDR4 RAM. Just making sure that if I do buy new RAM sticks, I'm not buying more speed than my system can support.

[Iggy Wolf]

Question. Since I'd be getting new RAM, would I be better off with 32 instead of 16 GB at this point? While I still game at only 1080P, my PC already uses up to 5-7 GB just on desktop at times. And I've had games like Spiderman Remastered have the RAM hit as high as 15 GB. So I feel like 16 these days isn't enough. Would rather have the extra 16 GB as overhead.

[andreasaspenberg575]

you should try to find another cpu fan that does not block your ram. then you should use the slots freed up. modern gaming pcs should have minimum of 32 gigabytes.

[_I_]

or get a 32g kit (2x16) 3200+ cl16-

most boards its best to use slots 2 & 4 first

[Iggy Wolf]

_I_님이 먼저 게시:

or get a 32g kit (2x16) 3200+ cl16-

most boards its best to use slots 2 & 4 first

Yep. I'm looking at the Corsair Vengeance 32g LPX (2×16) 3200 cl16. It's currently $55 on Amazon and Best Buy.

[jeffpmaxs6]

What about putting the fan on the other side of the heat sink. I would try one stick at a time. Maybe play a less demanding game for you don’t run out of ram. Maybe one stick or both need a little more volts if crashing. Not sure what slot 1-3 or 2-4 matters. Anyways just half a$$ suggestions, before buying new ram, since could still have the problem if something else. Maybe it’s true that the CPU is limiting your ram speed, but I don’t believe everything I’m told. Lol.

[andreasaspenberg575]

it always optimal to have as many ram sticks as possible, in order to use all memory channels.

[Iggy Wolf]

andreasaspenberg575님이 먼저 게시:

it always optimal to have as many ram sticks as possible, in order to use all memory channels.

Well, PC Part Picker shows that the RAM goes into Slot 1 and Slot 2, but that wouldn't be dual channel. My current configuration is two 8 GB sticks, one in Slot 2 and the other in Slot 4. I figure putting the new ones there shouldn't be a problem.

Btw, should I disable XMP in BIOS before installing the new RAM, or simply re-enable it after installing it (if the BIOS automatically resets after new hardware installation)?

[andreasaspenberg575]

then you should put the new ones in the slots that you are not using. that will increase your ram without removing what you already have.

[_I_]

andreasaspenberg575님이 먼저 게시:

it always optimal to have as many ram sticks as possible, in order to use all memory channels.

consumer boards have 2 channels, 2 dimms will use all channels

4 dimms is more load on the cpus imc, it may not high higher speeds with lower timings when all dimm slots are populated

[Iggy Wolf]

andreasaspenberg575님이 먼저 게시:

then you should put the new ones in the slots that you are not using. that will increase your ram without removing what you already have.

Can't. The CPU cooler blocks Slot 1. And I'm not trying to have 48 GB of RAM. Simply replacing the current sticks because they may or may not be bad at this point.