General Discussions

[ulver]

Hi, I asked on Reddit but no one seems to have an answer, so I am trying here.

1. I have purchased a Ryzen 5800X and would like to pair it with 32 GB of RAM. Should I purchase 4x8 GB or 2x16 GB?
   
   According to this video from Hardware Unboxed, I should go with 4x8 GB: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhMYmEu8gks
   
   However, they didn't test 3600 MHz RAM and I have read that it can be more stressful on the memory controller with all four DIMM slots populated. But is it only an issue with say 4200 MHz RAM on the Ryzen platform, and not an issue with 3600 Mhz? Or does the MHz not matter, but the sub timings matter more, so a 4x8GB 3600 MHz, Cl 16 kit should be fine but a 4x8GB 3600 MHz, CL 14 kit probably won't make it?
   
   

2. Let's say I pick up a kit, enable XMP/DOCP and I manage to enable FLCK 1900 or 2000 with either a lot of massaging or it might works straight away. Now my RAM pass stability tests, and everything seems perfect. Is it then possible that the RAM will suddenly become unstable after say 2-3 years? If these borderline stable settings suddenly can become unstable, then I would rather pay extra for high quality RAM or overkill RAM if that might help.

   
   I know CPU degradation is a thing with overclocked CPUs, but is RAM degradation a thing if the RAM is properly cooled at all times?

[black_zion]

I've never seen a single article or case of the IMC on a Ryzen processor burning out or otherwise having issues from using 4 DIMMs. As Techspot showed on a Ryzen system, there's no performance difference between using 2 and 4 DIMMS for the same capacity. Also as TechPowerUp showed with Zen 2, and will likely be the same for Zen 3, there is very little difference between memory speeds especially past 3200mhz.

[hardcoregames_]

I have 4x8GB DDR4-3200 installed and it works fine. AMD is dual channel which supports 4 sticks

[benman2785]

i own a Ryzen 2700X and run 4x8GB Trident-Z RGB 3200CL14 with it.
3466CL14 is max for my Memory-Controller on the 2700X

there are 2x8GB DDR4-3600CL14 Rams you can buy ;)