Overclocking has also improved, with Intel updating XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) to 3.0 for DDR5. While XMP 2.0 supported only two profiles, the most recent version has five. Three are set by the memory manufacturer, and two more can be modified and edited based on your own settings. Intel Hosts spreadsheets with common manufacturer configurations if you’re curious about what those profiles are like.
You may have noticed that despite the higher overall clock speeds, the latency of DDR5 memory is a little slower than DDR4. However, that 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 speeds, the newer standard has better performance overall.” In other words, it takes more cycles to complete a task, but those cycles are much faster than before.
The real nerdy things
There are a few other changes to the standard for DDR5 that don’t really affect your PC’s slot in particular.
DDR5 memory should consume less power overall than DDR4, although not in a way that allows you to get away with a smaller power supply. Instead, it gives manufacturers and overclockers more voltage headroom to push even higher speeds. Each DDR5 memory unit now also has its own power management chip, instead of the motherboard taking care of power distribution. Again, it’s probably not something most people will care about, but it should result in a more consistent experience when using XMP profiles.
You also get greater bandwidth thanks to a big change in the basic architecture of a DIMM memory. While each DDR4 module relied on a single 64-bit channel, DDR5 has two 32-bit channels. When combined with increased speed and efficiency, Memory maker Crucial says “Users can get up to twice the system bandwidth compared to DDR4 for next-generation multi-core CPUs.”
Installation slots for computer chips with random access memory (RAM) are located on a support board for a server system at the headquarters of Bull SA in Angers, France, Monday, June 23, 2014. Thierry Breton, CEO of software maker Atos, is designing a 620 million euro ($846 million) bid to acquire Bull, the IT company he tried to revive two decades ago. Photographer: Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph: Balint Porneczi/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Some manufacturers also mention the Error Correction Code, or ECC, which is now present in DDR5 memory. This is a little different from the ECC in DDR4, which was an additional module present on chips intended for servers or commercial use. Instead of helping several different memory chips communicate reliably, it fixes errors in individual banks before sending them to the motherboard. ATP Commercial Memory Manufacturer has a detailed explanation about the reasoning for this technology that goes beyond the scope of what’s needed for your gaming PC, if that’s of interest to you.
Too much to remember?
If you’re building a new PC, there’s a good chance your motherboard supports DDR5, so that’s what you should buy. The only reason you would need DDR4 memory for a new build is if you are specifically using older parts to keep costs down. You’re more likely looking at DDR4 because you’re upgrading an existing system.
In the early days of launch, you may have paid almost twice as much for DDR5 as DDR4, but prices have stabilized with more widespread adoption and will be recognizable to anyone who purchased memory before the upgrade.