Overclocking has also improved, with Intel updating the XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) to 3.0 for DDR5. Where XMP 2.0 only supported two profiles, the latest version boasts five. Three are set by the memory manufacturer, the other two are for you to modify and edit your settings. intel Hosts spreadsheet with common manufacturers' settings If you're curious what those profiles look like.
You may notice that latency on DDR5 memory is slightly slower than DDR4, despite the overall higher clock speed. However, this does not tell the whole story, and As memory manufacturer Corsair explains“DDR4 typically has a CAS latency of 16, while DDR5 will have a CAS latency of at least 32. However, due to its faster clock speed, the new standard has better overall performance.” In other words, it takes more cycles to complete a task, but those cycles are much faster than before.
real stupid stuff
There are some other changes to the standard for DDR5 that don't actually affect your slots in your particular PC.
DDR5 memory should use less power overall than DDR4, although not in a way that lets you get away with smaller power supplies. Instead, it gives manufacturers and overclockers more voltage headroom for even greater speeds. Each stick of DDR5 memory now has its own power management chip, rather than the motherboard handling power distribution. Again, probably not something that will matter to most people, but it should result in a more consistent experience when using XMP profiles.
You also get increased bandwidth due to major changes to the basic architecture of memory DIMMs. Where each DDR4 module relied on one 64-bit channel, DDR5 has two 32-bit channels. When combined with increased speed and efficiency, Memory manufacturer Crucial says “Users can achieve up to 2X system bandwidth compared to DDR4 for next-generation, multi-core CPUs.”
Installation slots for random access memory (RAM) computer chips are placed on a support board for a server system at the Bull SA headquarters in Angers, France, on Monday, June 23, 2014. The chief executive of software maker Atos is Thierry Breton. Made a 620 million euro ($846 million) bid to acquire Bull, the computer company he had tried to revive two decades ago. Photographer: Balint Porneczy/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Balint Porneczy/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Some manufacturers also refer to Error Correction Code, or ECC, which is now present on DDR5 memory. This is slightly different from ECC on DDR4, which was an additional module present on chips for server or business use. Instead of helping a bunch of different memory chips communicate reliably, it fixes errors on individual banks before sending it to the motherboard. commercial memory manufacturer atp is a profound explainer On the logic of this technology, that's beyond the scope of what you need for your gaming computer, if that's of interest.
Too much to remember?
if you're building a new pcIt's highly likely that your motherboard will support DDR5, so that's what you should buy. The only reason you would need DDR4 memory for a new build is if you are using older parts specifically to keep costs down. It's more likely that you'll be looking for DDR4 because you're upgrading an existing system.
In the early days of launch, you might have paid about twice as much for DDR5 as for DDR4, but prices have stabilized with more widespread adoption, and they'll look recognizable to anyone who bought the memory before the update. .