24GB or 16GB?

Tomsk · 20 May 2017 at 15:41

CPU - Athlon x4 860K

Memory DDR3
slot 1 - Kingston 8GB -PC310700 (667Mhz max)
slot 2 - Geil 8GB 0 PC3-10700 (currently 667Mhz, 800 Mhz max.)
slot 3 empty
slot 4 - Geil 8GB 0 PC3-10700 (currently 667Mhz, 800 Mhz max.)

Hardest task the computer does is ripping BR to mkv

Would I benfefit removing the Kingston memory?

Thekwango · 20 May 2017 at 17:46

simple answer - give it a try and see

EsaT · 21 May 2017 at 08:24

Always use even number of DIMMs to have them work in double channel mode.
Video encoding involves constant moving of big amounts of data between CPU and memory and extra memory definitely won't help in that with halved memory bandwidth.
Though that weak CPU is no doubt the biggest bottleneck.
(even full four module CPU with double the hardware couldn't match 4 core Intel)

Spyhop · 21 May 2017 at 12:34

I would take it out. It's good... er... Feng Shui ... to have an an optimal compatibility setup

ubersonic · 22 May 2017 at 11:38

As others have said best way is to try it, personally I would prefer 24Gb at 667MHz to 16GB at 800MHz, but then I may have different usage to you.

randomshenans · 22 May 2017 at 13:35

Buy another Kingston stick... have 32, even slot usage, more RAM, problem solved

Armageus · 22 May 2017 at 13:46

What motherboard? Some boards can run Dual channel or a hybrid mode even with 3 dimms

Personally would stay with 24GB even if you can't use dual channel mode. Outside of synthetic benchmarks, the penalty for single channel is about 5% if that.

Tomsk · 23 May 2017 at 17:43

Tried 16GB @800Mhz.
PC showed minor increase in benchmarks, but overall my PC was a lot more sluggish ie delays when opening a new window.

I've gone back to 24GB