6
votes
Can I upgrade my XMP memory?
My memory kit is G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 5600 CL36 Black. The CPU is i9-13900KS on Gigabyte Z790 AERO G.
I noticed that memory price has been dropped significantly so I think I might upgrade to 64GB.
Online information seems to be conflicting regarding XMP and dual/quad channels, so I'm asking for advice here:
- Can I buy one more of the same kit to upgrade to 4x16GB? Will it affect XMP or dual channel?
- Can I buy other sticks of the same size (2x16GB)? The leftmost slot is obscured by the CPU cooler fan, so I'll need to either move it up or use low profile one.
- Can I buy 2x32GB sticks so I end up with 2x32GB + 2x16GB?
From what I understand doing any of those options might cause XMP to not work and it'd be the best (but costly) to have 2x32GB as the only sticks in the system.
You can buy another exact set, yes. Needs to be identical serial numbers for best compatibility. Otherwise, consult a RAM configurator from the RAM manufacturer. Assuming the RAM is in the right slots in the first place, you'll go from a dual-channel sets (2x16GB) to a quad-channel setup (if 4x16GB at the end).
Depending on how you feel about the cooler, it might be convenient to upgrade the cooler as well, then put in whatever RAM you want. If you haven't changed the thermal paste/pad on your CPU in a couple years, then that's another excuse to at least take off your cooler for maintenance. :) It used to be that people could just take off the heat-spreader on the RAM when situations like yours arose, but I don't know if DDR5 is happy with that and I don't know the airflow of your rig's case. I wouldn't immediately recommend it.
You can mix and match RAM capacities, yes (but check a RAM configurator for the right RAM set). You may hit some bandwidth limitations when trying to use more than 4 x n your RAM (where n is the smallest capacity), and the motherboard might not want to default to quad-channel, but for gaming and stuff I doubt you'll see a performance hit from that. If you think you'd benefit more from having more RAM, then do it.
For other people looking at upgrading/doing a new build with totally new RAM: look for a RAM-motherboard compatibility thing on the RAM manufacturer's website. I upgraded recently and needed to find the right G.Skill RAM for my motherboard so I found their RAM configurator to figure out the compatibility with my motherboard.
In OP's case I think this should be the right page for their rig.
1.This is your best option. XMP is the most finicky aspect here. If you can buy the same kit with the exact same specs it has higher chances of working, ideally matched to the serial number as already pointed out. Dual channel is less finicky so getting the same kit should be fine. Note, it will still be dual channel not quad channel. There is a small chance that using all four ram slots gives the memory controller issues and that you have to lower the overall ram speed.
2. You can buy different sticks of the same size. XMP might not work though. Dual channel will run at the speed of the slowest memory you put in there. So you still want to match the speeds and timings as closely as possible.
3. Technically possible but I would recommend against it. XMP straight up will not work, it sometimes causes instability issues and dual channel will also not work properly and switch to some weird hybrid mode I forgot the name for.
Regardless, make sure you install the sticks in the right slots as well for dual channel operation ;) It is a mistake a lot of people make, you should double check your motherboard manual. But generally speaking it is something like this:
Where if A is your current kit it already should be in that position. You can double check with CPU-Z or a similar tool if you are actually running in dual channel mode. And gain check the manual for your motherboard, don't take my word for it.