they do some tests in this video using single sticks of ram. As a temporary solution for the way pricing is today. My thought is if you’re running x3d CPU it might mitigate some of the slow down because of all the cache built into the chips. On a lot of games it’s not even that much of a slowdown.
The video does make you think about this option if you’re looking places to cut cost and prices get even worse as we go along.
I am a huge advocate of never settling for less than what you want in PC Building. I feel like in practice, saving $20 here and there adds up to over $100 over all, but you dont feel as happy. I think its better to just keep saving until you have to get what you want so there are no regrets.
That being said… i understand the high cost and unwillingness to pay absurd amounts of money because corporations. I think every industry has that battle where its consumer against profit lines and the middlemen are just along for the ride, receiving all the hate for it.
If I had to cut cost anywhere, it would be on the case and peripherals. those enhance the experience but will not effect the total build itself.
I wont skimp out on monitor because monitors typically last 2-3 builds, which could be 8-10 years for the enthusiast. when I built my 2016 build, i had dual 1080p 120hz monitors. in 20219, i upgrade to dual 1440p 165hz. im still using those 1080p monitors to this days in extended displays so they dont go unused.
As someone who has 9 fans in my system, i dont think its its wise to disregard good air flow either. 9 is a lot, i think 6 is the sweet spot but thats up for debate. What isnt up for debate? RGB fans. some companies charge like $40-60 more just for RGB and fan controls and Well its nice… and it does fall into the category of " build it right so you can be happy ", i feel like RGB on a pc that you dont really look at, and adds no functional value to the system… I just can’t advise it be kept.
Back to the main topic… Memory is pretty stretchable. What matters the most in a Memory module is really the CL cache. ill take a 6200mhz CL 30 over a 7000mhz CL38. At some level, there is a depreciating cost to what you pay a premium price for. I love my Trident Z Royals ( 3600 CL18 ) like no tomorrow but spending $340 on it 6 years ago was crazy! Will I spend $700 on a 64gb 6400hz CL32? I am 70% sure I will… but I am not the example to follow. I understand I could save $300 just by going a 32gb 7200mhz CL 34 Kit.
if you ever have questions about these type of niche attention to details, I honestly just advise to google things. Dont let AI explain it, visit forums, watch videos, read articles. Look at at least 5 sources of information and then form a opinion or decision. Dont feel afraid to be biased in the questions either. " is intel more stable than amd " " does gksill last longer than other brands " " does the super flower psu have a issue power delivery compared to other brands " . As long as the bias is general and not direct " is this micron ssd better than the san disk " " will this msi mag 360mm cooler keep temps cooler than this lian li gallahad while gaming " I think you will overall find the information you want.
Sorry for building walls of text higher than Wall Maria. Hopefully some if this information can be useful, but also, if you have a different opinion, reach out and feel free to discuss it. I implore being more open to suggestions and ideas.
that’s fine if you’re building a mid to high-level build, but for people doing a economy build this is possibly a good option for them in the short term. The negative for going this route is the elevated prices could last a while. Then by the time you buy the second stick, you might not be able to find a matching stick(as stated in the video). To the point spending $700 on a 64 gigs would be crazy for someone who’s just playing games which I suspect, just off the top of my head 80% of the market is. That’s not even taking into account for the price of GPUs and SSDs are gonna go up and already are because of the cost of memory modules. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with you. This option would’nt be for me, but there are so many people here trying to build sub $1000 system that they should at least think about it. luckily I’m not in the market for ram right now but what I’ve seen you could save several hundred dollars on some kits over what it just cost a month or so ago. A few deals are still to be found, but they are drying up quick. i’m beginning to almost wonder if scalping is starting already with the ram just like GPUs a couple years ago. Which would be just awful, especially for low end builders.
Maybe this is why valve just showed off their steam machine just at this moment. While I think the thing is personally laughable, it just might hit that particular market at the right time with the way cost of rising..
I think you have completely missed the point of the post and the video -
Many people currently in the market to build or buy a PC are faced with a dilemma. Perhaps they already min-maxed their build; they got a Newegg doorbuster deal on a Corsair 2500X case for 49.99. They got a Raidmax 850W fully modular 80 Plus Gold PSU for 59.99. They got an RTX 5070 for 479.99 on a Black Friday sale. Now it comes down to RAM.
RAM is one of those things… sure it has a fair bit of impact on performance in some games, but in others not so much. AM5 in particular is quite sensitive to RAM speed, but only because it’s linked to Infinity Fabric speed. It also happens to be the easiest component to upgrade later.
So, when faced with doubling and sometimes tripling RAM prices in the last 45 days, buyers may look to using a single stick for now, and wait until the bubble pops to add a second stick. It’s a low-risk move, as the computer still fully works. This isn’t a decision like going with a lower quality power supply, or a case with more restrictive airflow. It doesn’t change the longevity, heat output, power delivery, or anything like that. It simply leaves some performance on the table in exchange for saving some money. That is what the video set out to research - is it worthwhile?
Viraco’s point about the X3D CPU is a bit silly, as somebody splurging on the extra cost of an X3D CPU would surely have enough to splurge on the amount of RAM they want. But conceptually it makes sense as the 3D V-Cache would theoretically make up for some lost bandwidth.
your last point is correct😜. To be fair though I set a hard budget for myself on my last build. Also had a 7800x3d requirement. Ended up buying 6000 MHz CL40 Ram to stay within budget and get everything else I want. I have no Issues and it does all the things I want it to do. Also felt would be a simple and relatively inexpensive upgrade in the future. Boy, was I wrong
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