Is it okay to use 4 RAM sticks with DDR5?

[matt15k]

My Unraid box has 2x16GB DDR5 sticks right now and I'm looking to add more RAM. I have the opportunity to add another matching 2x16GB kit for a total of 4x16GB (64GB), or to make a local trade and replace the existing RAM with 2x24GB (48GB).

 

I read that with DDR5 using all 4 RAM slots can cause stability issues. Current RAM usage is about 80% so the 48GB should be enough of an upgrade for now... and I don't want to introduce any problems to the server. My main concern is stability and I don't mind setting the RAM at a lower 4800MHz speed in the BIOS if that would help with this 4 DIMM "problem". I could shell out twice the cost for a 2x32GB kit but if it works okay to use 4x16GB I'd prefer that.

What do you think?

 

It's from the i9-12900K (Thank God) / ASUS Z790-V Prime AX / 2x16GB G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-6000 bundle from Microcenter. The 2x24GB kit is from a friend who has the similar bundle and looks like those are DDR5-5200.

[Vr2Io]

If you don't mind running in lower clock rate ( not promised reach 4800Mhz ), it's fine for 4 modules. So don't waste money on high clock rate modules.

[JonathanM]

18 hours ago, matt15k said:

I read that with DDR5 using all 4 RAM slots can cause stability issues.

The motherboard power distribution circuits play a role here, so some boards may handle it better than others, and marginal boards may be stable for a while but as they age may not be able to maintain stability.

 

Not DDR5, but I had a board a few years ago that initially ran fine with all 4 slots, but after a while it started crashing and failed memtest. All 4 sticks individually tested good, and all slots individually tested good, but as soon as more than 2 slots were populated it failed memtest.

[Frank1940]

Also check with your MB manufacturer to see if they have a list of certified RAM for that MB.  (They often do for MB that have RAM issues...)