1Rx8 vs 1Rx16 RAM

Hey guys.

So when i bought my new PC a few years ago i decided to go with 4GB RAM (64bit Windows 10) since i wasn't going to be doing any gaming or using heavy software. I only use my PC to browse the internet and watch movies.

Before and after updating to Windows 11 my Memory Usage in Task Manager idles at around 59-63%. Do you think this is acceptable or should i add more RAM?

I am thinking of changing my single 4GB stick to a dual channel 2x4 (8GB).

I have also read that some brands use the cheaper and slower 1Rx16 rank RAM on their prebuilt systems. My Lenovo also came with one.

I have read that the 1Rx8 RAMs are faster and should be preferred.

What is your opinion on this?

FWIW,, I would opt for at least 8GB of RAM. If it were me,.. I would install 16GB of RAM.. price wise it's still affordable and it can't hurt to have more than you need.

BunnyJ said:

FWIW,, I would opt for at least 8GB of RAM. If it were me,.. I would install 16GB of RAM.. price wise it's still affordable and it can't hurt to have more than you need.

https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-3200MHz-Desktop-Memory/dp/B0143UM4TC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=15CQRBITVM25S&dchild=1&keywords=16bg+ddr4+ram&qid=1633977123&sprefix=16bg%2Caps%2C634&sr=8-3

Click to expand...

Wow that IS cheap.

I think my PC tops up at 2666MHz RAM though...

I think 16GB will be overkill for me.

AntonisCy said:

Wow that IS cheap.

I think my PC tops up at 2666MHz RAM though...

I think 16GB will be overkill for me.

Click to expand...

For the price it can't hurt. I use 16GB but 8GB will be much better

BunnyJ said:

For the price it can't hurt. I use 16GB but 8GB will be much better

Amazon.com

Click to expand...

I read online that it is better to have 2x4GB modules (dual channel) instead of 1x8GB. It is supposedly faster. What is your view on this?

AntonisCy said:

I read online that it is better to have 2x4GB modules (dual channel) instead of 1x8GB. It is supposedly faster. What is your view on this?

Click to expand...

I would go for the dual. It should be a tad bit faster.

Two of these would be $40.

Patriot Viper Elite 4GB 2666MHz CL16 DDR4​

Actually, you could just by one first and see if it will work with your existing 4GB stick. Or you can use a program to retrieve the model number of your installed RAM and buy just 1 to match it.

If you have 2 slots, you could try making a note of the part number of your ram and see if you could get another on ebay. I did something similar with a desktop. When I built a slightly faster pc, the motherboard that I chose had 4 slots rather than the 2 previously. My ram was 2 X 4gb of Cosair Vengeance LPX DDR4. I managed to get another pair with identical part numbers on ebay, so now that pc has 16Gb in dual channel mode. 2 sticks in dual channel mode will outperform a single stick of the same total capacity on its own.

tinmar49 said:

If you have 2 slots, you could try making a note of the part number of your ram and see if you could get another on ebay. I did something similar with a desktop. When I built a slightly faster pc, the motherboard that I chose had 4 slots rather than the 2 previously. My ram was 2 X 4gb of Cosair Vengeance LPX DDR4. I managed to get another pair with identical part numbers on ebay, so now that pc has 16Gb in dual channel mode. 2 sticks in dual channel mode will outperform a single stick of the same total capacity on its own.

Click to expand...

The problem is my stick has a 1Rx16 stack where i want 1Rx8 because they are almost 2 times faster. So i think i will be replacing the one that came with my system.