Question Upgrading RAM when your CPU can’t handle full speed… worth it?

[NeoGunHero]

Here is my current rig:

AMD Ryzen 1600X
RTX 2060 6GB
16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX @3200mhz
2x1TB M2 SSDs

I use my PC for gaming primarily. Right now, the 1600X is not capable of running XMP effectively and maxes the RAM out at 2666mhz. I’m unable to upgrade the CPU right now but I’m planning on doing an upgrade this year hopefully, looking at the Ryzen 5000 series so I don’t have to do an AM5 platform upgrade. I’m a budget gamer.

My current RAM is only $40 for another 16GB. I run my current sticks dual slot so I have two extra slots, and I confirmed they are the exact same brand/model/serial number.

My main question is this: even if my CPU currently can’t handle the full speed of the RAM and can’t do XMP, is it still worth it to upgrade? I can comfortably afford the new sticks, and I’m not expecting a massive increase in performance, but I have heard in some cases it does seem to make games runs a tad bit smoother and more stable. My main thing is that I will have this RAM once I upgrade my CPU to something that can handle their full speeds and XMP so that alone will be a performance boost not including from what I’ll get just from upgrading the CPU.

Worth it or no?

 

[RealBeast]

I would say no. First, Corsair strongly recommends not mixing even identical sets as sets are tested only in the configuration sold. Second the Ryzen 5000 may make a difference in the set compatibility, as it does in some situations.

 

[Bob.B]

Here is my current rig:

AMD Ryzen 1600X
RTX 2060 6GB
16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX @3200mhz
2x1TB M2 SSDs

I use my PC for gaming primarily. Right now, the 1600X is not capable of running XMP effectively and maxes the RAM out at 2666mhz. I’m unable to upgrade the CPU right now but I’m planning on doing an upgrade this year hopefully, looking at the Ryzen 5000 series so I don’t have to do an AM5 platform upgrade. I’m a budget gamer.

My current RAM is only $40 for another 16GB. I run my current sticks dual slot so I have two extra slots, and I confirmed they are the exact same brand/model/serial number.

My main question is this: even if my CPU currently can’t handle the full speed of the RAM and can’t do XMP, is it still worth it to upgrade? I can comfortably afford the new sticks, and I’m not expecting a massive increase in performance, but I have heard in some cases it does seem to make games runs a tad bit smoother and more stable. My main thing is that I will have this RAM once I upgrade my CPU to something that can handle their full speeds and XMP so that alone will be a performance boost not including from what I’ll get just from upgrading the CPU.

Worth it or no?

Trying to add ram may not work well perhaps work at not running unneeded background stuff so that the ram you have can be used by the game.