Buy a 2x16GB kit, not a single stick to match.

Yes, it’s usually better to buy a new 2x16GB kit than to add a single 16GB stick to an existing one.

Dual-channel memory works best when both sticks are identical—same brand, model, timings, and preferably from the same production batch. Mixing sticks, even from the same manufacturer, can cause instability, force your system to run at slower speeds, or fail to boot altogether. You might get lucky, but why roll the dice?

A 2x16GB kit guarantees compatibility and dual-channel performance. You can sell your old 16GB stick for some cash back, or keep it as a spare. The extra $30–50 now is cheaper than days of troubleshooting random crashes.

Don’t gamble on RAM stability to save a few bucks.