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Gaming laptop currently has 2x 4gig RAM in it...
It can take up to 2 x 32gig...
Would there be issues me sticking JUST 1x32 gig in there for now?
Or 1 x 32 gig and leave a 4gig in there..
Or would it work just better pairing up with 2 x 16gig? (which is cheaper too....)
DrP
I’d go 32 + 4. No sense leaving the slot empty when you have a perfectly serviceable chip to use. but why not 2x32?
Would there be issues me sticking JUST 1×32 gig in there for now?
No issue leaving a slot empty, but you may as well fill it if you can.
Check if you have or can have XMP enabled in the bios. The ram could already be running much faster than standard or you could have the option of buying much faster Ram. Then plan accordingly you don't want to add some more and notice a performance drop.
What sort of processor is in the laptop?
Quite a few/most have multiple RAM buses these days so you would potentially see much higher memory bandwidth with two slots populated compared to just having a single stick fitted. You may also need to have matched sticks to make this work so 32 + 4 probably wouldn't work in this case.
2 x 16 would likely be better than 1 x 32gb due to increased bandwidth.
To be honest though, for gaming use 2 x 8gb is more than sufficient and won't bottleneck a system in anyway.
What enigmas said.
2x16 (or 2x8), then if you still need more sell them and upgrade in the future. You probably wont though unless you're doing something unusual (if you dont know you need >16gb then you probably dont).
16gb ram total is the sweet spot
Was going to suggest 2x8 or 1x16 - 32gb or more is a LOT of RAM, if not using applications that demand that much, then it's kind of a waste,, espacially if the rest of the system isn't balanced too - thres only so much upgrading you can do to a laptop before it, over time, essentially has to be relegated to an 'office' machine.
Oh and to add to that, ram speed and timings make much more of an impact on performance than total capacity for gaming use.
Spending the money on 2x8 gb ~ 3000Mhz sticks (more if you have a Ryzen CPU) with CL 16 timings is the sweet spot these days.
look at the system specs. better off with twin sticks for dual channel memory.
what is the laptop?
I'd be looking at 3200 sticks...
I'll probably go 2x16g based on your suggestions here..
It's a dell g3.. can take up to 64 as a 2x32... but will just go 32 total..
Ta
DrP
Alas... ebuyer now out of stock!
DrP
I'd hazard that the performance difference will only be of relevance to people chasing PassMark numbers and frame rates. Cost permitting I'd buy a single stick over a matching pair, that way you don't have to throw it all away next time you come to upgrade.
DELL G3 specs.....You need a pair of sticks, 3200 will probably work but may cost more, 2 x 16 looks like the max
Slots: Two SODIMM
Type: Dual-channel DDR4
Speed: 2666MHz
Configurations supported:
Per memory module slot: 4 GB, 8 GB, and 16 GB
Total memory: 4 GB, 8 GB, 12 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB
Oh I know the specs it'll take!
Just wondering what's the drill with single or paired..
DrP
Just wondering what’s the drill with single or paired..
In terms of frames per second, in game, not as much as you might think. Especially if the CPU and GPU is not up to it.
I'd always try to run RAM in dual channel mode if possible as it does give some benefit at the higher end of the spectrum, hence the mantra of matched/paired sticks.
But quantity doesn't always eqaual quality. It's just not that simple.
"It can take up to 2 x 32gig…"
Specs suggest not....
I'd go with a matched pair, 2x8 or 2x16, I suspect the former would be best value.
32g total seems a bit crazy though. especially on a laptop. GLHF
If I can find it, I'll go 2x16...
Running the crucial system tool says 64gig max... hmm..
DrP
Edit... and the ram in there is 2x4gig 3200... so I'd say the figures you put in above are probably for a different laptop?
What's 32 or 64gb going to do for you though..throwing lots of ram at it won't make it much faster if the CPU and GPU are older and youre not using photo or video editors, in which case a laptop is the wrong tool for the job anyway.
Meh... upgrades innit....
DrP
@DrP - Check with DELL. Latest I can see is a G3 3500 (2020 model) with 3000mhz RAM, earlier ones had 2666. Changed with BIOS updates maybe? Try CPU-Z to see how fast the memory actually runs? Note that you can also add Intel Optane *memory* - just used for caching - on G3s which may confuse the issue