What is the benefit of using matched RAM sticks?

Using matched RAM sticks offers the advantage of improved performance, primarily through enabling dual-channel configurations. When two identical RAM sticks are used, they can communicate with the memory controller more effectively as they operate in tandem. This dual-channel mode allows for a wider bandwidth between the RAM and the CPU, resulting in increased data transfer rates. This can lead to enhanced overall system performance, especially in memory-intensive tasks such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking.

While other options might seem beneficial, they do not capture the primary performance-related advantage of matched RAM. The brand and design alignments are indeed important for compatibility, but they do not enhance performance in the way dual-channel configurations do. Upgrading in the future might be simplified if matched sticks are used, but that doesn't speak to immediate performance benefits. Lastly, power consumption reduction can depend on various factors, including the specific RAM technology and not necessarily on whether the RAM sticks are matched. Therefore, the performance improvement through dual-channel configurations is the most significant benefit of using matched RAM sticks.