Upgrade Asus Crosshair Impact VIII memory to 32GB

psykix · 6 Nov 2023 at 13:50

I'm thinking of upgrading my memory from 16GB to 32GB for Nolvus mods.

Currently running this kit - Crucial Ballistix Elite BLE2K8G4D36BEEAK 3600MHz, DDR4, 16GB (8GB x 2), CL15

Would it be detrimental if I were to just install a single 32GB module or do I need to be installing 2 x 16GB sticks?

I want to be running the memory at 3600 MHz and many seem to be specified as 3000 or 3200 so seems to be a bit of a minefield!

CPU is Ryzen 7 5800X, motherboard is as per post and is Mini-DTX so has only 2 DIMM slots.

Cheers!

MissChief · 6 Nov 2023 at 13:51

2x16gb 3600MHz sticks.

Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 32GB (2x16GB) 3600 MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit (CMK32GX4M2Z3600C18)

Order Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 32GB (2x16GB) 3600 MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit (CMK32GX4M2Z3600C18) now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

Tetras · 6 Nov 2023 at 14:28

psykix said:
Would it be detrimental if I were to just install a single 32GB module or do I need to be installing 2 x 16GB sticks?

Not recommended for gaming to run single channel, you can have issues with the lows/stutters and general smoothness.

psykix · 6 Nov 2023 at 14:45

MissChief said:
2x16gb 3600MHz sticks.

Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 32GB (2x16GB) 3600 MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit (CMK32GX4M2Z3600C18)

Order Corsair Vengeance LPX Black 32GB (2x16GB) 3600 MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit (CMK32GX4M2Z3600C18) now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

Would I notice a difference going from C16 to C18? Might just look for a comparable spec to the sticks I have.

JollyJamma · 6 Nov 2023 at 15:05

psykix said:
Would I notice a difference going from C16 to C18? Might just look for a comparable spec to the sticks I have.

It doesn’t make that much difference.

Rather spend an afternoon tightening your RAM timings as you’ll see more performance gain with that than anything else.

Do you need more RAM? Does your current system run out at 16gigs?

psykix · 6 Nov 2023 at 15:08

JollyJamma said:
It doesn’t make that much difference.

Rather spend an afternoon tightening your RAM timings as you’ll see more performance gain with that than anything else.

Do you need more RAM? Does your current system run out at 16gigs?

I usually just switch on XMP and leave it at that!

Well I am looking to run Nolvus (Skyrim mods) and with 16GB it requires a page file. Would prefer to up the memory instead.

JollyJamma · 6 Nov 2023 at 15:10

psykix said:
I usually just switch on XMP and leave it at that!

Well I am looking to run Nolvus (Skyrim mods) and with 16GB it requires a page file. Would prefer to up the memory instead.

Yeah then get 32gigs.

Also consider an Intel Optane drive. It’ll cache a lot of data for you but unlikely to make a difference with 32gigs of RAM.

psykix · 6 Nov 2023 at 15:12

JollyJamma said:
Yeah then get 32gigs.

Also consider an Intel Optane drive. It’ll cache a lot of data for you but unlikely to make a difference with 32gigs of RAM.

Is that not an SSD? I already have a 2TB WD Black nvme SSD.

JollyJamma · 6 Nov 2023 at 15:14

psykix said:
Is that not an SSD? I already have a 2TB WD Black nvme SSD.

It is but it’s better quality nand so you can cache a ton of data instead of using the boot SSD as a page file.

Less useful now that RAM is so cheap.

psykix · 6 Nov 2023 at 18:24

I went with a Corsair 32GB CAS16 kit second hand for £60 in the end.