Doubling RAM from 16GB to 32GB - 2 out of 4 slots currently in use - for PC gaming (Baldur's Gate 3)

[blainecus]

Reposted, made too many edits, got marked as Spam.

Product: OMEN 30L Desktop GT13-1xxx

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11

I ordered my OMEN desktop a couple years ago. I've been liking it overall so far. I want to increase the RAM on it. Below are, what I think, relevant computer specs that were chosen for customization when I ordered it from the HP store, straight from the order receipt. I pulled from the receipt since I didn't think I was getting all the exact info needed from browsing general settings on the computer. Note: I am not computer techy.

Computer Specs:

-OMEN 30L Desktop GT13-1350st CTO

-NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated), Display Connectors: DP*3, HDMI*1

-WD Black 1 TB PCIe® NVMe™ TLC M.2 SSD

-Front Bezel Shadow Black Glass, Dark Chrome Logo+ Side Cover Glass with Cooler Master 800 W Gold efficiency power supply

-HyperX® 16 GB DDR4-3200 RGB SDRAM (2 x 8 GB)

-Intel® Core™ i7 11700K W/RGB Liquid cooling(3.6 GHz up to 5.0 GHz, 16 MB L3 cache, 8 cores) 

Any other information needed, just ask (and instruct me how to retrieve it), I'm happy to provide.

I have started to play Baldur's Gate 3 (purchased and downloaded through Steam) and while I can push it to play on Ultra settings, I want to take precaution to not damage my PC, and choose to play mostly on Medium settings (you can auto-set to Low, Medium, High, Ultra, or customize).

I've begun monitoring my CPU, GPU, and RAM while the game runs.

My GPU temperature hovers around 65-73F while the game is running, which the internet seems to say is generally okay.

I can't recall my CPU temperature but I believe it hovers maybe 10-ish degrees lower than that while the game runs, closer to the 50s temperature range.

I saw that my RAM was in the 8-9GB range and then sometimes would go to 11GB, popping sometimes into 12GB. I assume this is because the game calls for more or less power from the PC for different things in the game.

Anyways, my System settings tell me I have 15.8GB usable RAM (out of 16GB). I assume that small 0.2GB bit of RAM is used for necessary functions for the PC, and the rest is for my own needs. Maybe I'm being overcautious but it makes me nervous seeing my RAM almost hitting that 15.8GB while playing the game, even on Medium settings. Sorry but 1) I bought this PC specifically for gaming and I don't want to be forced to lower the graphic settings from even Medium, 2) I don't want to damage my PC even just at Medium settings, and 3) I worry for future purchased games that might call for a similar or heavier load than BG3.

I did order this PC in mind with the hope that I could maybe one day upgrade its RAM. I checked in my Task Manager > Performance > Memory, and it says "Slots used: 2 of 4." Based on what the Computer Specs are telling me, I have 2 8GB DDR4 RAM sticks installed to 2 of my 4 total RAM slots, adding up to 16GB. Suggesting I could install 2 more? Install something more? I'm trying to make this PC last as best I can and handle it with care, so any upgrading or fiddling done I want done carefully.

So finally my questions:

Based on the given info for my PC, as long as all is correct and everything needed is provided...

1) Is it possible for me to increase the RAM on my computer?

2) If so, what product/model/part/etc. should I be purchasing and installing exactly?

3) How do I go about installing the part? I am an extreme computer/hardware noob and I don't know where to start. Hopefully there is some tutorial that will safely and in-detail help me how to physically install the card and what to do from there on the computer to make sure it's properly installed?

4) Am I being overcautious? Am I looking at the wrong issue? Do I need to consider something else in addition to just the RAM?

[Elohi_NR]

Hi @blainecus,

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Excellent description and a great diagnosis. It is greatly appreciated.           

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