Noob question about RAM.

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St0rmFury
11/10/2025
06:37 AM
#1
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/29f0c293.jpg

Is my RAM a 2x8gb? It doesn't say on the label.
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bnui_ransder
11/10/2025
06:40 AM
#2
i think RAM listed as 2x## is usually two sticks of RAM? I may be wrong
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St0rmFury
11/10/2025
06:42 AM
#3
bnui_ransder posted...
i think RAM listed as 2x## is usually two sticks of RAM? I may be wrong
Yeah, every other RAM I see in the aftermarket clearly labelled it as 2x8gb except mine.
"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
sephiroth068
11/10/2025
06:45 AM
#4
Whenever you see terms like 2x "insert number here" for RAM, it means you have 2 of whatever capacity of RAM you got

So for your 2x8 GB example, that would mean you have 2 8 GB sticks of RAM

In your picture above, you have 1x16 GB stick of RAM, unless you have a second one laying around somewhere
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St0rmFury
11/10/2025
06:55 AM
#5
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/2/245bf9a4.jpg

This is what I mean. Mine doesn't have the (2x8GB)
"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
Board_hunter567
11/10/2025
07:26 AM
#6
If it has 2x* that's signifying it's part of a set that totals *
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St0rmFury
11/10/2025
07:39 AM
#7
Board_hunter567 posted...
If it has 2x* that's signifying it's part of a set that totals *
Ok I think I get it now. That means my RAM is not part of a set? And if I want to upgrade to 32GB I have no choice but to discard my current RAM?
"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
Starks
11/10/2025
07:39 AM
#8
St0rmFury posted...
Ok I think I get it now. That means my RAM is not part of a set? And if I want to upgrade to 32GB I have no choice but to discard my current RAM?
Or you buy the same exact stick again
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St0rmFury
11/10/2025
07:43 AM
#9
Starks posted...
Or you buy the same exact stick again
Not having much luck in that, everyone is selling a set of 2x8gb or 2x16gb
"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
monkmith
11/10/2025
07:46 AM
#10
ram is typically sold in pairs, it works better to have two sticks in the correct ram ports (coincidentally read your mobo manual and see if you're putting the ram in the correct ports, sometimes its 1 and 3, sometimes its 2 and 4). the sum total for your set is 16gb
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Bass
11/10/2025
07:55 AM
#11
In theory you could match it with a stick of RAM which the same specs or even different specs if you're prepared to have things run at the weaker stick of RAM's speed.

Your milage may very, though, since you may run in compatibility issues.
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Board_hunter567
11/10/2025
07:56 AM
#12
St0rmFury posted...
Ok I think I get it now. That means my RAM is not part of a set? And if I want to upgrade to 32GB I have no choice but to discard my current RAM?
It's not part of a set, so a single 16 GB stick, but you can still add additional RAM. Just be aware that RAM can be a bit temperamental when mixed and matched and that in the event one stick is rated for higher speed or timings than the other(s) it will downgrade itself to match.
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Validate your purchases and discredit the purchases of others whenever possible. Numbers objectively define quality and enjoyment.
monkmith
11/10/2025
08:19 AM
#13
you're probably better off buying a new kit and ditching that. if you want more ram to pair with that you want to find a single 16gb kit with the same speed and timing. good luck though, the ram market is fucked right now.

for example. going by the listing for this 32gb pack

https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-VENGEANCE-3200MHz-Compatible-Computer/dp/B07RW6Z692

it should have the same speed and timing as your ram, and if the reference number is actually correct this listing for a single stick from that pack should work.

https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-PC4-24000-Desktop-Memory/dp/B07B4GNMS9?th=1

but as you can see there are none available. you're likely shit out of luck if you want to buy just a single stick to pair with your current one. honestly it makes more sense to just get a 2x16 kit.
Taarsidath-an halsaam.
Quando il gioco e finito, il re e il pedone vanno nella stessa scatola
St0rmFury
11/10/2025
08:53 AM
#14
monkmith posted...
but as you can see there are none available. you're likely shit out of luck if you want to buy just a single stick to pair with your current one. honestly it makes more sense to just get a 2x16 kit.
Yup, either that or a 1x32gb stick I guess.

I know about the RAM situation, so I won't be buying brand new.

"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
Starks
11/10/2025
09:11 AM
#15
Single stick of ram means no dual channel and lower performance.
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St0rmFury
11/10/2025
09:35 AM
#16
Ok, I believe I managed to find the same RAM as my current one here:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/818169830615323

So if I add this to my PC, it's basically the same as a set of 2x16gb / dual channel? (comes together in a pair)

Or will it be a 16gb+16gb / sort of dual channel but not really? (a pair but bought separately)

What I'm trying to get at is, is it better for me to get an extra 16gb stick that matches my current one, or pay more for a 2x16gb set?
"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
BucketCat
11/10/2025
10:12 AM
#17
yeah you're better off getting a second 16gb stick. as long as its DDR4 3000mhz like your stick you'll be fine. iirc non-matched speeds will automatically downclock the faster stick to the slower one's speed

it'll act as dual channel, yeah. fwiw, my PC has 4 sticks of ram for 64gb, 4x16. each of the two 2x16gb sets I bought are different brands but the same speed, haven't had issues in the 5 years I've been using this setup. Set 1 is crucial and set 2 is gskill
?
St0rmFury
11/10/2025
10:50 AM
#18
Alright, thanks everyone for your help.
"Average Joe" is a trolling term since it's completely an opinion. "Overachieving" is also an opinion. - SBAllen (Hellhole: 52458377)
Current Events » Noob question about RAM.