Will Upgrading RAM Future-proof My Current Set-up?

Lfriedmaki on 20/11/2020 - 18:42
Last edited 22/11/2020 - 18:33

Hi, I have a budget gaming rig that I run Netflix/Youtube on one monitor while I game on the other monitor. After updating to the latest version of Adrenalin 2020 (20.11.0), I notice the RAM runs at 99% with both applications running and they stutter terribly so I have to choose to run one application at a time.

Not an expert but I reckon upgrading the RAM from 8GB to 16GB/32GB will significantly improve the performance of the set-up and allow me to run Netflix/Youtube and to game concurrent. I'm wondering if it will also help to future-proof the set-up for the next couple of years? Should I wait for another year or so to upgrade the entire rig?

Current Set-up:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Processor 16 MB Cache 3.4 GHz AM4 6 Core 12 Thread Desktop CPU
MOBO: MSI B350M PRO-VDH AMD Ryzen Socket AM4 mATX Motherboard DDR4 M.2 HDMI DVI VGA
RAM: Patriot 8GB (2 x 4GB) 288-Pin SDRAM DDR4 2400MHz (PC4 19200) Desktop Memory RAM
SSD: WD Green (WDS120G2G0B) 120GB M.2 SSD Solid State Drive
HDD: 1x 500GB, 2x 1TB
GPU: Gigabyte RX580 GV-RX580GAMING-8GD-MI 8GB Mining Card
PSU: Coolermaster MWE 500 (MPW-5002-ACABW) 500W 80 Plus Power Supply Unit
Cooling: None
Monitor: Acer KG251QG 24.5in x 2

Edit: everyone, thanks for sharing your feedback! I was very new to PC building when I built this setup. I had thought the 8GB VRAM was to going to count towards the 8GB RAM. Obviously no, lol. Guess I will be upgrading my RAM.

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 20/11/2020 - 18:50

    If it's running okay, why pay any more money?

    Prices usually tend to come down all the time. I have 2 x 8GB, and don't have issues, but I don't play games (other than Starcraft/C&C). I use it for running Office mainly and Logic Pro.

  • scrimshaw on 20/11/2020 - 18:51
    +4

    "future-proofing" isn't really the right word.. it sounds like you didn't have enough RAM in the first place given that many modern games will happily eat up 8GB of RAM. Especially if you're running both the game and watching netflix at the same time…

    16GB of RAM is probably enough for your use-case, and given that you are using 2400mhz RAM (slow & bottlenecking that Ryzen 5 hard) and also running a WD Green Dramless SSD (also slow) there's two possible upgrade options to look at

    3200mhz RAM kit
    Kingston NVME SSD

    • wittyusername on 20/11/2020 - 19:11

      So RAM isn't just about the amount of GB, it's also speed in mhz? If I have something like a 16gb that has a mower mhz than an 8GB, would that be slower?

      • scrimshaw on 20/11/2020 - 19:21
        +3

        Yeah RAM has a rated clock speed, just like processors and it has a fairly significant impact on how fast AMD Ryzen CPU's runs. Way too much to explain in a single sitting — having dinner now. But generally 3200mhz is the baseline speed I would go for nowadays.

        yes you can mix RAM of different brands / speeds, the comproimise is that all your modules will use the slowest common denominator as the dram frequency. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaR6Ea8Hl0w

  • brokenglish on 20/11/2020 - 18:52
    +2

    Surprised you could run Netflix/YT while gaming at the same time with 8GB. 16GB will be enough but 32GB is even better.

    If you’re mainly a gamer, try getting a separate machine to run Netflix/YT so your CPU and GPU resources are dedicated for gaming.
    How and why do you need to game and Netflix at the same time…?

    $139 Dell Optiplex https://www.australiancomputertraders.com.au/Refurbished-Des…
    Or $50ish Vodafone TV https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/vodafone-tv

    • conan2000 on 20/11/2020 - 23:18

      Solitaire perhaps? But yes, I was wondering the same thing. I regularly watch TV and browse the web on a laptop, but most games I would play generally require full attention..

  • AwesomeAndrew on 20/11/2020 - 19:08
    +1

    It depends if you need the extra performance now, or don't mind waiting until your next PC upgrade. Personally I would buy the RAM when I find that I need it.

  • oscargamer on 20/11/2020 - 19:15

    What's on the SSD? The OS?

    If you are running games and they are on the HDD, that's an issue.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 20/11/2020 - 19:46

      500GB SSDs are sub $100 quite often.

      • oscargamer on 20/11/2020 - 19:48
        -1

        Yes. Well said, but what's your point? I'm asking what the OP has on what drives….

  • s1Lence on 20/11/2020 - 19:23
    +1

    16gb is the new 8gb, ram is cheap so no reason to stay on 8gb especially if you want background tasks while gaming

  • ChristopherJack on 20/11/2020 - 20:17
    +1

    RAM doesn't future proof much at all but you ought to have more as 8GB is only just enough, if you don't run things in the background.

    Your CPU ought to do you for a while, the GPU is where the big differences come from. Yours will be fine for a few years but it will rarely match, let alone exceed, what you will see from an XsX or PS5. The set up as is, ought to run virtually everything thrown at it until the PS6 gets announced, more RAM will just make it a little easier, especially if you have a lot of bloat.

    That said, I wouldn't call your rig 'future-proofed' even with more RAM, just workable. AMD clearly didn't try with the RX5** series, beaten by a GTX1060, Nvidia's older entry gaming GPU- something that can be shoved into a laptop. Thankfully it seems they have their act together this time.

  • AndyC1 on 20/11/2020 - 22:09
    -2

    Gaming on a Gigabyte RX580 says it all!!!! THAT AIN'T MODERN GAMING.
    The GPU looks to be in the price I buy to ensure my dev setup runs 3D graphics at an acceptable speed.

    • knobbs on 21/11/2020 - 22:52

      You should come round to mine and try out my 390 I am running still

  • mizx on 20/11/2020 - 23:08
    +1

    I'd just upgrade to 16GB (2x8GB) RAM 3200Mhz C16, the rest of your set up is fine for a budget build.

  • whooah1979 on 21/11/2020 - 07:14
    +1

    Patriot 8GB

    You need to 2x or 3x your RAM. The extra RAM will stop the OS from using the page file as memory.

  • thatonethere on 21/11/2020 - 12:05
    +1

    At work we don't future proof but "buy time" by buying "more ram than needed". Ie making sure most of the fleet has 16gb has paid off for home working now that people have more and more apps running (and virtual backgrounds meant that i7 over i5 was a good investment.

    For home. I buy time by doing mid life refresh by buying deals or second hand stuff. And selling off the old stuff.

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