Question Wanting to upgrade RAM but worried about minor compatibility issues

[Mortem420]

I currently have a 16GB (2x8GB) 3200 MHz CL16 kit of G.Skill Trident Z RGB and would like to upgrade with more capacity and possibly faster speeds if there is any point in doing so. I have found a matching kit to buy online but have also found 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL16 and 4000MHz CL18 kits that are going for decent prices. I would prefer to have all 4 slots filled, but I have heard about issues with some systems that have all 4 RAM sticks installed not booting or having issues with XMP. Would I possibly run into a similar issue with using 2 of either the 3600 MHz or 4000 MHz kits, or should I just stay with 3200 MHz?

I mostly just use my PC for gaming but would like to maybe also get into game development (Unreal Engine). I'm aware that 64GB in total is probably overkill for what I'm using my PC for, but from what I can see, 16GB (2x8GB) kits of 3600MHz and 4000MHz are either not available or way more expensive than the 32GB (2x16GB) kits I've found, with the 32GB (2x16GB) 4000MHz kits actually costing less than the 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz kits. I have also found both 16GB (2x8GB) and 32GB (2x16GB) kits for 3200MHz CL16 and will include links to all of the kits below.

CPU: Core i7-10700K
MoBo: Asus ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming

16GB (2x8GB) 3200 MHz CL16: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-16gb-ddr4-3200/p/N82E16820232476
32GB (2x16GB) 3200 MHz CL16: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3200/p/N82E16820232748
32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL16: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3600/p/N82E16820232906
32GB (2x16GB) 4000MHz CL18: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-4000/p/N82E16820374106

 

[USAFRet]

The never ending question...mixing RAM.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it fails.
Even with the same Make/Model.

Anything that does not come in the same package is 'mixing'.

 

[Mortem420]

Unfortunately, from what I've seen, the 4 stick kits for sale are also either way too expensive or not available, so the next option is hoping that 2 of the exact same kits will work. If it's one of those types of things where I'll just need to buy them and hope it all works out, then I suppose I'll have no other decent options.

 

[USAFRet]

so the next option is hoping that 2 of the exact same kits will work.

And if it fails? Then what?

Currently, you have 2x 8GB (16GB total)
You want 32GB?

Buy 2x 16GB.
Sell or repurpose the existing 8GB sticks.

 

[USAFRet]

I would prefer to have all 4 slots filled

At the same capacity, 2x RAM sticks is better than 4x RAM sticks.

 

[Bob.B]

I currently have a 16GB (2x8GB) 3200 MHz CL16 kit of G.Skill Trident Z RGB and would like to upgrade with more capacity and possibly faster speeds if there is any point in doing so. I have found a matching kit to buy online but have also found 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL16 and 4000MHz CL18 kits that are going for decent prices. I would prefer to have all 4 slots filled, but I have heard about issues with some systems that have all 4 RAM sticks installed not booting or having issues with XMP. Would I possibly run into a similar issue with using 2 of either the 3600 MHz or 4000 MHz kits, or should I just stay with 3200 MHz?

I mostly just use my PC for gaming but would like to maybe also get into game development (Unreal Engine). I'm aware that 64GB in total is probably overkill for what I'm using my PC for, but from what I can see, 16GB (2x8GB) kits of 3600MHz and 4000MHz are either not available or way more expensive than the 32GB (2x16GB) kits I've found, with the 32GB (2x16GB) 4000MHz kits actually costing less than the 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz kits. I have also found both 16GB (2x8GB) and 32GB (2x16GB) kits for 3200MHz CL16 and will include links to all of the kits below.

CPU: Core i7-10700K
MoBo: Asus ROG Strix Z490-E Gaming

16GB (2x8GB) 3200 MHz CL16: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-16gb-ddr4-3200/p/N82E16820232476
32GB (2x16GB) 3200 MHz CL16: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3200/p/N82E16820232748
32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL16: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3600/p/N82E16820232906
32GB (2x16GB) 4000MHz CL18: https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-4000/p/N82E16820374106

Stay with one 2 stick kit less fuss.

 

[Mortem420]

And if it fails? Then what?

Currently, you have 2x 8GB (16GB total)
You want 32GB?

Buy 2x 16GB.
Sell or repurpose the existing 8GB sticks.

If that fails then I guess I'd remove and return/resell one of the kits and just be kinda sad that only 2 slots are filled because G.Skill doesn't have RGB dummy sticks

32GB is probably more than enough but I would like to have 64GB at 3600MHz or 4000MHz if it will work. Preferably 4000MHz.

I know that there are somewhat diminishing returns after 3600MHz, but the 4000MHz kits I found cost less

 

[USAFRet]

If that fails then I guess I'd remove and return/resell one of the kits and just be kinda sad that only 2 slots are filled because G.Skill doesn't have RGB dummy sticks

32GB is probably more than enough but I would like to have 64GB at 3600MHz or 4000MHz if it will work. Preferably 4000MHz

"kinda sad"

Having all 4 slots filled is NOT the goal.
Many boards balk at all 4 slots, or won't allow them to run at max 'speed'.

2x sticks, in whatever total RAM you want, is the key.

If you want 64GB, then you buy 2x 32GB, in the same package.

 

[williamjeremiah]

Memory controllers have their limits, especially when speed is prioritized. Keep it simple.
There being four DIMM slots, doesn't mean you should use all of them.

 

[Mortem420]

"kinda sad"

Having all 4 slots filled is NOT the goal.
Many boards balk at all 4 slots, or won't allow them to run at max 'speed'.

2x sticks, in whatever total RAM you want, is the key.

If you want 64GB, then you buy 2x 32GB, in the same package.

I'm aware that having all 4 slots filled is not the goal, just something I want because there are 4 slots and I would like them all filled and to have RGB in them. I'm also aware that this way of thinking is probably just really stupid, but sometimes I am not a very smart man. However, I may have to get over that want and just use 2 sticks if 4 will cause me any sort of issues.

 

[USAFRet]

I'm aware that having all 4 slots filled is not the goal, just something I want because there are 4 slots and I would like them all filled and to have RGB in them. I'm also aware that this way of thinking is probably just really stupid, but sometimes I am not a very smart man. However, I may have to get over that want and just use 2 sticks if 4 will cause me any sort of issues.

Bottom line: 2 RAM sticks is better than 4 RAM sticks.

 

[williamjeremiah]

I'm aware that having all 4 slots filled is not the goal, just something I want because there are 4 slots and I would like them all filled and to have RGB in them. I'm also aware that this way of thinking is probably just really stupid, but sometimes I am not a very smart man. However, I may have to get over that want and just use 2 sticks if 4 will cause me any sort of issues.

You certainly can use four. You simply may need to lower the speed to accommodate them.