Overclocking capabilities are also improved with Intel updating XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) to 3.0 for DDR5. Where XMP 2.0 only supports two profiles, the latest version has up to five profiles. Three are set by the memory manufacturer, with two more for you to tweak and tweak your own settings. Intel Stores spreadsheets with settings from popular manufacturers if you're curious what those profiles look like.
You may notice that, despite the higher overall clock speed, latency on DDR5 memory is slightly slower than on DDR4. However, that doesn't 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, because of the faster clock speeds, the newer standard has better overall performance.” In other words, it takes more cycles to complete a task, but those cycles are much faster than before.
Really strange things
There are a few other changes to the standard for DDR5 that don't really affect which slot you'll plug it into on your particular PC.
DDR5 memory will generally use less power than DDR4, although not in a way that helps you use a smaller power supply. Instead, it gives manufacturers and overclockers more voltage headroom to push for even higher speeds. Each stick of DDR5 memory also now has its own power management chip, instead of the motherboard handling power delivery. Again, probably not something that matters to most people, but it will provide a more consistent experience when using XMP profiles.
You also get increased bandwidth thanks to a major change to the underlying architecture of DIMM memory. Where each DDR4 module relies on a single 64-bit channel, DDR5 has two 32-bit channels. When combined with increased speed and efficiency, says memory manufacturer Crucial “Users can get up to 2x system bandwidth compared to DDR4 for next-generation multi-core CPUs.”
Installation slots for random access memory (RAM) computer chips sit on a support board for a server system at Bull SA headquarters in Angers, France, on Monday, June 23, 2014. Thierry Breton , chief executive of software maker Atos, is making a 620 million euro ($846 million) offer to buy Bull, the computer company he tried to revive two decades ago. Photographer: Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhoto: Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Some manufacturers also refer to Error Correction Code or ECC, which is available on DDR5 memory. This is a bit different from ECC on DDR4, an additional module found on chips intended for servers or commercial use. Instead of helping a series of different memory chips communicate reliably, it corrects errors on each bank of memory chips before sending it to the motherboard. Commercial memory manufacturer ATP there is an in-depth explainer about the reasons for this technology goes far beyond the scope of what's needed for your gaming computer, if that interests you.
Too much to remember?
If you are build a new PCChances are your motherboard will support DDR5 so that's what you should buy. The only reason you'd need DDR4 memory for a new build is if you're specifically using old parts to keep costs down. You're most likely looking for DDR4 because you're upgrading an existing system.
In the early days of launch, you could have paid almost twice as much for DDR5 as for DDR4, but prices have stabilized with wider adoption, and anyone who bought memory before the update can recognize it. they.