Is 64gb of ddr a poor investment?

[eddiew]

Let's get past the obvious starter; yes, I actually need more than the 32gb I currently have. I know it's a rare case, but it's my case

But... am I going to find that if I swap motherboard/cpu in a year or two, now I need ddr5 and there's no more ddr4 options?

My natural inclination is a 2x32gb set, but if it's going in the bin when this motherboard reaches the end of its life, I might just limp along with my current 2x16 plus a new 2x8 or something to tide me over until the big upgrade down the line.

 

[ChocAndGray]

I think in a couple of years most new motherboards won't have the option of DDR4.

I think the only reason they're a thing now is to ease the transition for some people.

With that said though, with the right spec today it should still do what you need it to in a couple of years anyway even if you are using DDR4

 

[Tetras]

If you're planning on replacing CPU soon, e.g. jumping ship to AM5, then I wouldn't. But, if you went for DDR4's last stand (e.g. a high-end 12th gen CPU), then like Choc said, it won't be dated any time soon.

 

[eddiew]

With that said though, with the right spec today it should still do what you need it to in a couple of years anyway even if you are using DDR4

If you're planning on replacing CPU soon, e.g. jumping ship to AM5, then I wouldn't. But, if you went for DDR4's last stand (e.g. a high-end 12th gen CPU), then like Choc said, it won't be dated any time soon.

I mean, to be honest, my 8700K@5ghz is doing just fine. Nothing I do seems to need more than 4 threads, so mostly I've got 2 cores idling even under load. The places I'd notice an upgrade tend to be single threaded stuff, and as far as I know, I'll still not find much of an improvement available there. Assuming it all holds together, I could well imagine another 2-3 years out of this same rig.

I guess there's an argument that my board will bottleneck a new GPU because of the old PCI-E version, but I'm still clinging on to a 1060 and only thinking about a 3060Ti - I think we can conclude that I probably won't actually see a problem with that either

But I am starting to bounce off 32gb memory in a couple of places. I'd be happier if I knew the next round of boards will still support it, but if not then I guess I'll make a choice assuming 2 more years before major upgrades. Suspect I could stick in another 2x8 and run a weird 48gb setup and it'd be ok for that long. Probably have to slacken the memory timings a little, but that's usually the last thing that needs optimising anyway...

 

[Tetras]

I mean, to be honest, my 8700K@5ghz is doing just fine. Nothing I do seems to need more than 4 threads, so mostly I've got 2 cores idling even under load. The places I'd notice an upgrade tend to be single threaded stuff, and as far as I know, I'll still not find much of an improvement available there. Assuming it all holds together, I could well imagine another 2-3 years out of this same rig.

I guess there's an argument that my board will bottleneck a new GPU because of the old PCI-E version, but I'm still clinging on to a 1060 and only thinking about a 3060Ti - I think we can conclude that I probably won't actually see a problem with that either

But I am starting to bounce off 32gb memory in a couple of places. I'd be happier if I knew the next round of boards will still support it, but if not then I guess I'll make a choice assuming 2 more years before major upgrades. Suspect I could stick in another 2x8 and run a weird 48gb setup and it'd be ok for that long. Probably have to slacken the memory timings a little, but that's usually the last thing that needs optimising anyway...

The PCI-E version won't be an issue if the card is full 16 like the 3060 ti is. Even 8 like the rx 6600 isn't really a problem.

I think Choc is right that DDR4 slots will disappear in a few years, but I'm not surprised the 8700K is doing fine because 5 Ghz Skylake cores are still very competitive with anything in single-thread or older games.

 

[Armageus]

I wouldn't have said they would be a poor investment - Higher capacity DIMMS e.g. 16Gb or 32Gb sticks will still command a reasonable price even in years to come - there are always buyers (usually wrongly) looking to drag every last upgrade out of an existing system rather than building new.

Higher density DIMMs are also more desirable for later upgrades for people who bought cheaper/oem motherboards that only have 2 DIMM slots.

 

[eddiew]

Higher density DIMMs are also more desirable for later upgrades for people who bought cheaper/oem motherboards that only have 2 DIMM slots.

Hadn't thought of that, but yeah, fair point. Also leaves me the option of putting them into a tiny itx build, should I ever feel the urge. I should see what's available in current ddr4 motherboards for that format, and if any of them have 2x m.2 slots!

 

[JasonM]

It depends on how much you need the 64GB and how long your keeping your current machine.

If your running software that's going deep into page file with 32GB and your protectivity is suffering then get the 64GB now. As said it will still have some value if you sell in a couple of years time.

When it comes to memory my view is to 'upgrade early' then for the life of the computer you benefit from that extra memory.

 

[eddiew]

It depends on how much you need the 64GB and how long your keeping your current machine.

I mean, "need" is relative. I have a lot of Cities Skylines assets. I want more, but they're already eating ~20gb of memory. Allowing for other things in the background which I may not want to actually quit out of right now, I can quickly add up to ~28-30 in use, and things get a bit clunky.

On the whole, the idea of how long I'm keeping a PC isn't answerable; ask how long I've had the same computer and I'll say I've had it since 1999, but it's had 8 motherboards and CPUs, 12 storage drives, 7 GPUs, 4 PSUs and 5 cases along the way Lots of bit by bit upgrades, the only original parts are probably some of the older files, now living on their third storage medium.

But I've been reading around a bit, and the anecdotal suggestion is that if I throw another 2x16 in with the existing pair, I'm more likely than not to have problems, so I guess I'm in for 2x32 at some point. I'd be lovely if that works in new boards next year, it might interest me in an upgrade for the tech rather than the performance... but if I have to buy ddr5, then I'll just stretch out the one I have as long as it can hold up. I'm not doing anything that challenges the CPU right now, and I can't actually foresee a time when I will, given that the most intensive games seem to be the least interesting to me. I'd need to see a big whack of single thread performance gain to actually feel like there's anything worth buying.

 

[Wing-Man]

Let's get past the obvious starter; yes, I actually need more than the 32gb I currently have. I know it's a rare case, but it's my case

if you need it buy it.

But... am I going to find that if I swap motherboard/cpu in a year or two, now I need ddr5 and there's no more ddr4 options?

in 2 years it will all be DDR5 in my view, but thats point less info. if you need ram now buy it what happens in 2 years means nothing

My natural inclination is a 2x32gb set, but if it's going in the bin when this motherboard reaches the end of its life, I might just limp along with my current 2x16 plus a new 2x8 or something to tide me over until the big upgrade down the line.

Why would you put it in the bin? it as a resale value and in many cases ones production as stopped there will be a spike in price is hard to get stuff light high capatact kits.

Buying and reselling RAM will be a lot cheaper then adapting DDR5 today, as you mention "2 years" within that time frame production cost will drop and better price kits will come out probably putting you in a positive when it come to cost.

 

[Tetras]

But I've been reading around a bit, and the anecdotal suggestion is that if I throw another 2x16 in with the existing pair, I'm more likely than not to have problems, so I guess I'm in for 2x32 at some point.

Tbh, most of the reported issues with 4 dimms relate to Zen+ and Zen 2. Single-sided 16GB dimms weren't available when 8th gen was released and I don't think there were any unbuffered 32GB dimms except special cases (or at least, they certainly weren't as cheap or widely available as they are now).

Since 8th gen (they came out with the release of 9th gen) memory density has increased and 8th/9th gen CPUs/motherboards were given BIOS updates to support the new memory, which increased their max capacity from 64GB to 128GB. Many of those systems have been retired now (especially enthusiast ones), so there isn't much feedback around on how 8th/9th gen handles 4 high capacity dimms at high speeds, since heavy users moved to Zen 3 or 10th gen onwards.

 

[eddiew]

Why would you put it in the bin?

I wasn't really being literal with that, but I don't expect to get much of my money back

Since 8th gen

That is a good point, I should actually check that my board will be ok with 32gb dimms. It might need an update - although I'm fairly sure I gave it one a couple of years ago, which would be in the right timeframe. At least it was one of the premium boards of it's day, so there's a good chance it will be

 

[Wing-Man]

I wasn't really being literal with that, but I don't expect to get much of my money back

Ive seen ddr3 sell for close to retail. And there is a lot of ddr4 selling for more than the shops on eBay

but the cost of a ram kit now, and what you can expect to lose like say 50% just for giggles, that’s will still work out cheaper then adopting ddr5 now and paying silly money.

I remember ddr4 been over 200 for 16gb and 12 to 18 months in it was 60

 

[eddiew]

I remember ddr4 been over 200 for 16gb and 12 to 18 months in it was 60

Yeah, there's a 64gb Patriot kit for only a bit over £200 now And I guess I can look at selling my 2x16 on immediately if I get 2x32 now...

Edit: dangit. Checked the memory compatibility list for my motherboard; does not show any 32gb dimms. Last bios release 2019. That is... disappointing. So if I want 64gb I'm going to have to go with 4 modules and hope for the best.

 

[Wing-Man]

Yeah, there's a 64gb Patriot kit for only a bit over £200 now And I guess I can look at selling my 2x16 on immediately if I get 2x32 now...

depending on what you have you will get 100 for your 32gb. So you upgrade will cost 100 and no matter what a 64gb kit will always hold some value

 

[JollyJamma]

Yeah, there's a 64gb Patriot kit for only a bit over £200 now And I guess I can look at selling my 2x16 on immediately if I get 2x32 now...

Edit: dangit. Checked the memory compatibility list for my motherboard; does not show any 32gb dimms. Last bios release 2019. That is... disappointing. So if I want 64gb I'm going to have to go with 4 modules and hope for the best.

In your use case, I could easily recommend going with Z690 and DDR5.

The price is high but in the long term you might actually not mind if your daily tasks need 64gigs of RAM. What happens if you need more?

Best option with the DDR4 choice to get 4 by 16gig RAM modules of the exact model of RAM listed in the compatibility list. That and not going for high speeds. Stick to 3200 or 3000. Anything higher is asking for trouble.

 

[JasonM]

In your use case, I could easily recommend going with Z690 and DDR5.

The price is high but in the long term you might actually not mind if your daily tasks need 64gigs of RAM. What happens if you need more?

Best option with the DDR4 choice to get 4 by 16gig RAM modules of the exact model of RAM listed in the compatibility list. That and not going for high speeds. Stick to 3200 or 3000. Anything higher is asking for trouble.

Above information is totally correct.

Another thing that happens but is never mentioned, dirt / dust gets into empty memory slots over time. People install new memory and have issues from contamination of the gold contacts but think it's something else. For this reason I like to populate all memory in advance when the computer is first built. I'm surprised no one has ever produce memory slot covers to protect empty slots.

 

[Hannah Moore]

Sorry to jump on your thread but I need some PC advice and I can’t figure out how to post on the forum help please on either how to post my own thread or can anyone on here help? My sons gaming PC..

 

[Tetras]

Sorry to jump on your thread but I need some PC advice and I can’t figure out how to post on the forum help please on either how to post my own thread or can anyone on here help? My sons gaming PC..

On the main page of a forum, e.g. "Memory", the "Post new thread" button is under the search box, on the right.

 

[Hannah Moore]

Thankyou Tetras