2x16GB is better for overclocking stability.

2x16GB.

Fewer sticks means less stress on the memory controller. With four sticks, your CPU has to drive more signal paths, which increases noise and reduces the likelihood of hitting high frequencies or tight timings.

DDR4 and DDR5 both benefit from this. Even on high-end motherboards, four dual-rank sticks can push the memory controller to its limit. Two single-rank sticks (or two dual-rank, if you need capacity) will almost always clock higher with less voltage.

If you need 32GB total and care about maxing out RAM speed, go 2x16GB. If you’re chasing capacity beyond 32GB, that’s a different conversation.

Future You will thank you for not fighting with BIOS settings.