For most ordinary digital hardware enthusiasts, selecting memory mainly focuses on two parameters: capacity and operating frequency. Usually, as long as it meets mainstream standards, you can insert it into the memory slot and use it without encountering any issues.
However, for those veteran enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering, memory offers a lot of playability and many areas to “tinker” with, such as enabling XMP or EXPO, adjusting timings, and using dual-channel setups, among others.
Over the years, various claims have circulated in the digital community: for instance, inserting two 8GB memory sticks offers higher performance than a single 16GB stick, or inserting four memory sticks provides higher bandwidth but also higher latency, and some of these rumors even contradict each other.
1. Test Platform Configuration on 2pcs 16GB RAM vs 4pcs 8GB RAM
The main configuration is as follows:
The processor is Ryzen 7 7800X3D, and the motherboard is MSI MPG X670E CARBON. Except for the memory, all other components are the same: the graphics card is GeForce RTX 4090, the storage consists of two Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSDs, and the operating system is Windows 11.
2. Real Game Test
The following tests will be conducted on seven games, all using 1080P with the highest graphics settings. In the series of images below, the left side represents a platform with two 16GB DDR5 memory sticks, hereinafter referred to as “Platform A,” and the right side represents a platform with four 8GB DDR5 memory sticks, hereinafter referred to as “Platform B.”
① The first game is “The Witcher 3.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 89 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 65 FPS, frame time is 11.0ms, CPU usage is 48%, power consumption is 65W, temperature is 61 degrees, memory usage is 13.1GB, GPU usage is 79%, VRAM usage is 7.3GB, power consumption is 247W, and temperature is 49 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 93 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 70 FPS, frame time is 10.4ms, CPU usage is 48%, power consumption is 66W, temperature is 60 degrees, memory usage is 13.0GB, GPU usage is 82%, VRAM usage is 7.3GB, power consumption is 244W, and temperature is 47 degrees.
In this game, both platforms have identical CPU usage. Platform B’s memory usage is 0.1GB lower than Platform A’s, which is negligible, but its GPU usage is 3% higher, and VRAM usage is the same.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 3 FPS higher than Platform A, with a minimum instantaneous frame rate 5 FPS higher, frame time 0.6ms lower, and overall a slight advantage.
② The second game is “Assassin’s Creed Mirage.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 199 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 113 FPS, frame time is 4.9ms, CPU usage is 51%, power consumption is 69W, temperature is 63 degrees, memory usage is 11.3GB, GPU usage is 93%, VRAM usage is 8.8GB, power consumption is 235W, and temperature is 48 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 194 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 110 FPS, frame time is 5.5ms, CPU usage is 52%, power consumption is 69W, temperature is 63 degrees, memory usage is 11.2GB, GPU usage is 90%, VRAM usage is 8.7GB, power consumption is 230W, and temperature is 49 degrees.
In this game, Platform B’s CPU usage is 1% higher than Platform A’s, which is almost equal. Memory usage is 0.1GB lower, both differences are minimal. GPU usage is 3% lower, and VRAM usage is 0.1GB lower.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 5 FPS lower than Platform A, with a minimum instantaneous frame rate 3 FPS lower, frame time 0.6ms higher. Considering the margin of error, both platforms are essentially equal, resulting in a draw.
③ The third game is “Ghostwire: Tokyo.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 194 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 141 FPS, frame time is 4.9ms, CPU usage is 26%, power consumption is 56W, temperature is 57 degrees, memory usage is 11.2GB, GPU usage is 88%, VRAM usage is 5.8GB, power consumption is 242W, and temperature is 51 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 203 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 150 FPS, frame time is 5.2ms, CPU usage is 26%, power consumption is 56W, temperature is 56 degrees, memory usage is 11.1GB, GPU usage is 90%, VRAM usage is 5.6GB, power consumption is 248W, and temperature is 51 degrees.
In this game, both platforms have identical CPU usage. Platform B’s memory usage is 0.1GB lower, which is negligible. GPU usage is 2% higher, and VRAM usage is 0.2GB lower.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 9 FPS higher than Platform A, with a minimum instantaneous frame rate 9 FPS higher, frame time 0.3ms higher. Overall, Platform B has a slight advantage, similar to the first game.
④ The fourth game is “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 219 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 92 FPS, frame time is 6.7ms, CPU usage is 64%, power consumption is 77W, temperature is 67 degrees, memory usage is 11.6GB, GPU usage is 88%, VRAM usage is 5.2GB, power consumption is 293W, and temperature is 53 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 216 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 91 FPS, frame time is 4.4ms, CPU usage is 61%, power consumption is 76W, temperature is 66 degrees, memory usage is 11.3GB, GPU usage is 85%, VRAM usage is 5.3GB, power consumption is 281W, and temperature is 54 degrees.
In this game, Platform B’s CPU usage is 3% lower, memory usage is 0.3GB lower, GPU usage is also 3% lower, and VRAM usage is 0.1GB higher, essentially equal.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 3 FPS lower than Platform A, with a minimum instantaneous frame rate 1 FPS lower, frame time 2.3ms lower. Considering the margin of error, both platforms are essentially equal, resulting in a draw.
⑤ The fifth game is “Horizon Forbidden West.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 200 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 106 FPS, frame time is 5.1ms, CPU usage is 62%, power consumption is 78W, temperature is 71 degrees, memory usage is 12.2GB, GPU usage is 91%, VRAM usage is 9.5GB, power consumption is 257W, and temperature is 49 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 199 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 107 FPS, frame time is 4.8ms, CPU usage is 59%, power consumption is 77W, temperature is 70 degrees, memory usage is 11.9GB, GPU usage is 91%, VRAM usage is 8.4GB, power consumption is 256W, and temperature is 46 degrees.
In this game, Platform B’s CPU usage is 3% lower than Platform A’s, memory usage is 0.3GB lower, GPU usage is identical, and VRAM usage is 1.1GB lower.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 1 FPS lower than Platform A, with the minimum instantaneous frame rate 1 FPS higher, frame time 0.3ms lower. Both platforms are essentially equal, resulting in a draw.
⑥ The sixth game is “Hogwarts Legacy.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 76 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 63 FPS, frame time is 13.4ms, CPU usage is 29%, power consumption is 56W, temperature is 63 degrees, memory usage is 21.3GB, GPU usage is 49%, VRAM usage is 10.5GB, power consumption is 183W, and temperature is 46 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 74 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 58 FPS, frame time is 13.6ms, CPU usage is 29%, power consumption is 56W, temperature is 63 degrees, memory usage is 20.8GB, GPU usage is 52%, VRAM usage is 10.6GB, power consumption is 190W, and temperature is 48 degrees.
In this game, both platforms have identical CPU usage. Platform B’s memory usage is 0.3GB lower, GPU usage is 3% higher, and VRAM usage is 0.1GB higher. These differences are minimal.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 2 FPS lower than Platform A, with the minimum instantaneous frame rate 5 FPS lower, frame time 0.2ms higher. Considering the margin of error, both platforms are essentially equal, resulting in a draw.
⑦ The seventh game is “Starfield.”
Platform A’s average frame rate is 121 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 93 FPS, frame time is 7.3ms, CPU usage is 81%, power consumption is 82W, temperature is 71 degrees, memory usage is 12.8GB, GPU usage is 74%, VRAM usage is 6.2GB, power consumption is 252W, and temperature is 51 degrees.
Platform B’s average frame rate is 123 FPS, the minimum instantaneous frame rate is 89 FPS, frame time is 6.3ms, CPU usage is 85%, power consumption is 83W, temperature is 73 degrees, memory usage is 13.1GB, GPU usage is 81%, VRAM usage is 6.4GB, power consumption is 258W, and temperature is 51 degrees.
In this game, Platform B’s CPU usage is 4% higher than Platform A’s, memory usage is 0.3GB higher, GPU usage is 7% higher, and VRAM usage is 0.2GB higher.
In terms of average frame rate, Platform B is 2 FPS higher than Platform A, with the minimum instantaneous frame rate 4 FPS lower, frame time 1.0ms lower. Both platforms are essentially equal, but Platform B has a slight advantage.
3. Conclusion
Based on the results of the game tests, the difference in gaming performance between using two 16GB memory sticks and four 8GB memory sticks is extremely minor, resulting in an overall tie.
Nevertheless, there are some noticeable subtle differences. During the tests, GPU usage varied dynamically in real-time, but power consumption remained relatively stable. On the platform with four 8GB memory sticks, the GeForce RTX 4090 consistently consumed more power compared to the platform with two 16GB memory sticks. This indicates that the GPU was handling a larger workload and delivering higher performance, which is directly proportional.
Additionally, the platform with four 8GB memory sticks generally had higher 0.1% low frame rates than the platform with two 16GB memory sticks, indicating better game stability. For most casual gamers, this slight difference might be imperceptible, but it does exist.
The final conclusion is that the actual gaming performance of using two 16GB memory sticks and four 8GB memory sticks is essentially the same, with any subtle differences being negligible. Despite this, the platform with four 8GB memory sticks has a slight advantage.
Related:
- DIY Tips: High-End Mice Report Rates Explained
- Ryzen 5 5600 vs Core i5 12400F: Gaming Showdown
- Core Ultra 5 245K vs i5 14600K: Gaming Power Compared
- Android 15 Big Upgrade: True Variable Refresh Rate Explained
- Ryzen 5 7600X3D + RTX 4060: Gaming Performance Review
- DDR4 vs DDR5: How Does Core i5 12400F Perform?
- Win11 23H2 vs 24H2: Core i5 14400F Gaming Test
- RTX 4080 SUPER vs RTX 3090 Ti: Game Performance Test
- DDR4 3600 vs DDR5 6200: Gaming Performance Test Results
- AMD Benefits: Optimize Mouse Latency, All GPUs Supported!
- RTX 4060 Laptop vs Desktop Gaming Tests: Comparable?
- Implement Efficient Techniques for NAS Systems
Disclaimer: This article is created by the original author. The content of the article represents their personal opinions. Our reposting is for sharing and discussion purposes only and does not imply our endorsement or agreement. If you have any objections, please get in touch with us through the provided channels.