Upgrade Ram Unavailable

[Shashank_W]

Hello,

I have an amd ryzen 7 1700x and MSI Gaming Pro motherboard. I already have 16gb of ram G.Skill Ripjaws V 3000mhz DDR4. I wish to upgrade the memory to 32GB. The issue is that 16gb unit is not available but 2 x 8gb is and is cheaper too.

Will adding 2 x 8gb units instead of one 16gb unit hamper the performance.

The motherboard has 4 slots for the ram.

Thanks.

Shashank

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

When adding ram you won't now till you try them. Even if they were identical there is still a small chance that won't be compatible.

 

[Barty1884]

What do you have currently? A single 16GB module? Or 2x8GB?

"Mixing and matching" RAM - modules, size, speed, CL, brand etc can be problematic. The 'best' route would be the replace the RAM you have and install a 32GB "kit" (sold together in retail packaging).

As for performance impact with what you're proposing.... it really depends.
If your workload can utilize >16GB RAM, then the fact you have 'more' should improve performance.
If your workload won't utilize >16GB RAM, then you may hinder performance some.... if you're currently running in dual-channel (2x8GB).

If you already have a single 16GB module (single channel), and add 2x8GB of the same timings/speed/CL,... and it "works", I wouldn't expect any performance reduction, even if you can't utilize >16GB in your workload.

 

[Shashank_W]

I have one 16gb Ram unit. 1 x 16gb but can't find 16gb unit of the same. So need to use 2 x 8gb now.

Just wish to know if performance will be hampered.

Need an upgrade for video editing.

 

[Barty1884]

I have one 16gb Ram unit. 1 x 16gb but can't find 16gb unit of the same. So need to use 2 x 8gb now.

Just wish to know if performance will be hampered.

Need an upgrade for video editing.

As I mentioned:

If your workload can utilize >16GB RAM, then the fact you have 'more' should improve performance.
If your workload won't utilize >16GB RAM, then you may hinder performance some.... if you're currently running in dual-channel (2x8GB).

If you already have a single 16GB module (single channel), and add 2x8GB of the same timings/speed/CL,... and it "works", I wouldn't expect any performance reduction, even if you can't utilize >16GB in your workload.

Video editing 'can' use >16GB (depending on specific tasks, of course)..... so performance should be improved.
IF it just "works".

As BB stated:

When adding ram you won't now till you try them. Even if they were identical there is still a small chance that won't be compatible.

So, matching speeds, CL and timings for the best chance.... just know there's no guarantee.