PC Processors

[muthgh]

I've a haswel-E built with an msi mb, & a 32 kit of 4x8, dual rank, 2666 cl16 ram sticks, Crucial ballistix Elite BLE8G4D26AFEA.16FAD Crucial - BLE8G4D26AFEA.16FAD 8GB 288pin DIMM DDR4 - Memory Module (compuram.biz) , BLE8G4D26AFEA.16FAD Crucial Gaming Memory (memory4less.com) , a while ago it started having errors "frequent bsods & gpu driver crashes" running with the 4 sticks, then for a while it ran relatively fine with 2 sticks, & now down to 1, msi's x99 MBs had a not so well known issue with ram seating, needing a huge force sometimes, but I'm not so sure it's the same issue this time, I ran memtest86 when it were two sticks & it reported no issues, so I think the 4 sticks are probably fine, & that it's the memory controller that's struggling.
I wanted to build a new pc with 5800x3d "on a budget, a ddr5 platform is too expensive", & was thinking of using those 4 sticks instead of buying a new one if they worked fine, I've two questions:
1-with the Infinity fabric to ram clock relation thing, would I get way worse performance than if I bought a bran new good ddr4 4000 or 3800 kit? the sticks are dual rank too btw according to cpu-z
2-is there any danger to placing those memories not knowing if they have any issues or not? in my current pc they never caused any component to die or anything?

3-how far can I cheapen on the MB (chipset wise) without losing performance or what's the cheapest full performance MB can I get it?

4-is the 4x8 dual rank each rams too much for the 5800x3d imc to handle?

[johnnyenglish]

Hi,

The memory sticks should work fine. Most of the time the big confusion behind choosing memory is because of their rated speed at XMP/EXPO. But since they are 2666 you aren't losing that much if you run them at JEDEC, so in a way... they will work.

However, if you compare 2666 or worse, 2400 against a fresh new 4000 kit, then its a BIG BIG difference.

If you are after the fastest rated speeds, then the importance of checking QVL is obvious, and even then reaching 4000 can be quite hard sometimes. Its best to have 2 memory sticks than 4, less load on the IMC.

The 5800X3D is not an overclocker chip and its very efficient, in my opinion, a solid Upper mid range tier B chipset will serve you well. Like a RoG Strix B550 F. I wouldn't go for the E, because its more expensive and suited for something like the 5950X. Don't go too low either or you face power issues on the VRM side.

Good Luck

[muthgh]

ty for your reply, I'm a bit confused by the memory part though, they're only 2666 when running in XMP mode I think, & 2400 without (JDEC#10), as shown by the timing table in the second cpu-z screenshot, does this mean that it's a big big difference as you've stated compared to a fresh 4000 kit? especially for competitive FPS games? & what about the infinity fabric ram speed relationship thing?
also my usual work loads require 32GB at least, & if I go with those I'll have to use all 4 (each of which is dual rank) would that still be a huge load on a processor of the 5800x3d caliber, or should it probably be fine? & what if I overclocked the rams to 3200 or 3600 if possible, would it put more load on the imc (assuming I can even oc the memory with a  b550 chipset)?

for the VRM what vrm do you recommend (like at least how many phases "or idk what they're called but like when it says 14+2 or 16+1 & so on")?   

[johnnyenglish]

"they're only 2666 when running in XMP mode I think, & 2400 without (JDEC#10)"

Exactly, thats what I said, if you want to use your current DDR4, its not big difference. Unless you compare it to a modern 4000 kit, then its a BIG diffrerence of course.

According to a guy at ASUS in an Official support page, its best to have 2x16 than 4x8 kits, less load on IMC.
Its more likely to get the rated speed at 2x16 and even then its not guaranteed.

AMD B's are not like Intel B's, they can overclock quite well and some of them have insane tweaking options. I already gave this example in the past, a RoG Stix B450 E is most of time way superior than a X470 F.

You don't need to overthink or overspend on VRM unless you want to plan ahead&overclock. Since AM4 is end of the line and 5800X3D is not a great OC, the F version with 12+2 is much more suited for you.