Upgrading my RAM

[RoyZ]

I currently have (2x8) 16gb DDR4 3000mhz CL15 on my system. (Ryzen R5 3600, RTX 2060 Super)

I'm thinking about upgrading to 32gb (2x16) cause a couple of apps I use are filling my 16gbs when using them at the same time...

There's a 2x16 kit on promo for me, (2x16) CL16 3200mhz.

I was wondering, would there also be any gain in performance (gaming and general use) from 3000mhz CL15 to 3200mhz CL16? I understand that the nanoseconds transfer would be the same (10). Does this equal performance on this particular exemple?

Also, I use my ryzen R5 3600 overclocked and undervolted. Would this change of RAM kits make my current OC unstable?

 

[Bill_Bright]

R

Thread 'I need a little help with compatibility. DDR4 RAM speed.'

May 5, 2025

Hello all.

I'm currently with 16GB (2x8) of DDR4 3000mhz CL15 and I'm gonna upgrade it to 32GB. My CPU is a ryzen R5 3600.

My current options on my budget are 2x16 3200mhz CL16 and 2x16 3600mhz CL16, both by corsair.

My MOBO is the MSI B450 Gaming Plus (not the MAX version), and in their website it says:

• Supports 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667Mhz (by JEDEC)
• 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200/ 3466 MHz (by A-XMP OC MODE)

I did my googling and you find some mixed info. Some saying yes it will most likely be able to run the 3600mhz on XMP, others say it will not pass the 3466mhz...

• RoyZ
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Motherboards & Memory

 

[RoyZ]

R

Thread 'I need a little help with compatibility. DDR4 RAM speed.'

May 5, 2025

Hello all.

I'm currently with 16GB (2x8) of DDR4 3000mhz CL15 and I'm gonna upgrade it to 32GB. My CPU is a ryzen R5 3600.

My current options on my budget are 2x16 3200mhz CL16 and 2x16 3600mhz CL16, both by corsair.

My MOBO is the MSI B450 Gaming Plus (not the MAX version), and in their website it says:

• Supports 1866/ 2133/ 2400/ 2667Mhz (by JEDEC)
• 2667/ 2800/ 2933/ 3000/ 3066/ 3200/ 3466 MHz (by A-XMP OC MODE)

I did my googling and you find some mixed info. Some saying yes it will most likely be able to run the 3600mhz on XMP, others say it will not pass the 3466mhz...

• RoyZ
• Replies: 7
• Forum: Motherboards & Memory

Well, those are very different questions. But if this is an issue and you need me to use that older thread, no problem.

 

[QuietBob]

The difference between 3000 and 3200 MT/s will be imperceptible in daily use, given the same latency.

In games, you may see minor improvement from the increased bandwidth in CPU-limited scenarios. Specifically, titles which heavily load all available threads at the same time may benefit slightly. In most cases though you'll be limited by your GPU and ST performance of Zen 2 long before RAM speed becomes a factor.

I'd recommend a 3600cl16 kit if you can find it for a similar price.

 

[RoyZ]

I'd recommend a 3600cl16 kit if you can find it for a similar price.

I thought about that but I was concerned that a 3600mhz kit would come with a higher chance ofaffecting my current CPU oc/undervolt, than a 3200mhz kit would.
Is there any reason to my concern?

Also, I can't find here a CL16 3600mhz, Only Cl 18.

 

[Rover4444]

I currently have (2x8) 16gb DDR4 3000mhz CL15 on my system. (Ryzen R5 3600, RTX 2060 Super)

I'm thinking about upgrading to 32gb (2x16) cause a couple of apps I use are filling my 16gbs when using them at the same time...

There's a 2x16 kit on promo for me, (2x16) CL16 3200mhz.

I was wondering, would there also be any gain in performance (gaming and general use) from 3000mhz CL15 to 3200mhz CL16? I understand that the nanoseconds transfer would be the same (10). Does this equal performance on this particular exemple?

Also, I use my ryzen R5 3600 overclocked and undervolted. Would this change of RAM kits make my current OC unstable?

Are you planning to keep or replace the RAM? If you're keeping it you should go with a 3600mhz kit, they're not much more expensive than 3200mhz and you can keep them when you upgrade. With 3600mhz kits the difference in price is generally bigger than the difference in actual performance between cl16 and cl18 kits. Make sure to put each set in different channels, so 8844 for most motherboards. Your speeds will go down to those of the slowest set and you'll be running in asynchronous dual channel.

If you're just swapping out the sticks and don't want to mess with async dual channel then you should definitely get 3600mhz sticks, there's a real performance difference between them and 3200mhz, and even moreso with 3000mhz parts. Your 3600 is a Zen 2 CPU so it should support the speed if your motherboard can handle it. I don't think it'll affect your OC, but I'm not into OC or undervolting so take it with a grain of salt.

TL;DR: Minor performance gain, (probably) shouldn't affect OC, get 3600mhz sticks instead.