Question Adding More RAM Question

[thewalleprod]

I currently have a Z390-E ASUS Mobo in my rig that I built 4 years ago. I have 16GB CL16 DDR4-3200 RAM in it currently. I want to upgrade to 32GB RAM and was wondering should I just buy another 2 8GB sticks of the same model RAM or should I get the Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB CL18 DDR4-3600 RAM? I don't really want to mess around in the BIOS much in terms of setting voltage and setting speeds, I only use XMP profile.

Thanks

 

[Lafong]

If budget permits, buy a new kit of 2 sticks; 16 gb per stick.

Adding 2 sticks to existing sticks increases your risk of headaches and frustration. But you might get lucky, so...............................take your pick.

 

[geofelt]

A perennial question.
Here is my stock answer:


Ram is sold in kits for a reason.
A motherboard must manage all the ram using the same specs of voltage, cas and speed.
The internal workings are designed for the capacity of the kit.
Ram from the same vendor and part number can be made up of differing manufacturing components over time.
Some motherboards, can be very sensitive to this.
This is more difficult when more sticks are involved.

If you do buy more disparate sticks, they should be the same speed, voltage and cas numbers.
Even then your chances of working are less than 100%
I might guess 90% success for intel and less for amd.

What is your plan "B" if the new stick/s do not work?

If you want 32gb, my suggestion if you have an intel motherboard is to buy a 2 x 16gb kit that matches your current specs.
Then, try adding in your old 16gb,
Balance the capacity on each channel.
If it works, good; you now have 48gb.
If not, sell the old ram or keep it as a spare.

 

[Zerk2012]

The short answer is buy a 2X16GB kit and sell the other.

Buying a so called additional set of the memory you have now could be made using different parts.

If you buy that and it doesn't work with the memory you already have then you spent money and are still right where you started.

 

[Bob.B]

I currently have a Z390-E ASUS Mobo in my rig that I built 4 years ago. I have 16GB CL16 DDR4-3200 RAM in it currently. I want to upgrade to 32GB RAM and was wondering should I just buy another 2 8GB sticks of the same model RAM or should I get the Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB CL18 DDR4-3600 RAM? I don't really want to mess around in the BIOS much in terms of setting voltage and setting speeds, I only use XMP profile.

Thanks

Consider getting a 2x16GB @3200 cl16 kit since you know that that speed works.