What's The Best Memory for AMD AM5 Ryzen CPUs?

Summary

In this video, Matt, a former rocket scientist, explores the impact of memory speed on AMD AM5-based Ryzen CPUs. After testing three DDR5 memory kits (6000, 6400, and 8000 MHz), he explains how memory speed, along with core clock optimization, influences gaming and professional performance. While higher-speed memory offers small improvements, especially in certain titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator, the cost-to-performance ratio makes them less worthwhile. Matt recommends sticking with DDR5 6000 MHz for better value, as the performance gains from more expensive kits are marginal and not worth the extra cost.

Takeaways

• 😀 AMD's AM5 platform was introduced in September 2022 with the launch of Zen4 7000-series CPUs, and DDR5 memory stability has improved since its release.
• 😀 AMD recommends DDR5 6000 MHz for AM5 Ryzen CPUs due to its stability, though higher memory speeds may provide some performance improvements.
• 😀 To maximize system performance on AM5, three core clocks must be optimized: UCLK (unified memory controller), FCLK (infinity fabric), and MCLK (memory clock).
• 😀 The maximum stable memory speed in 1:1 mode for most CPUs is DDR5 6600, with higher speeds requiring a 2:1 mode and sometimes causing instability.
• 😀 Higher-speed DDR5 memory kits, such as DDR5 8000 MHz, offer only marginal improvements in gaming performance compared to DDR5 6000 MHz.
• 😀 Benchmarks show that higher memory speeds (e.g., DDR5 8000) can offer up to a 6.2% increase in 1% lows but have little to no significant impact on average FPS in games.
• 😀 The optimal performance can often be achieved by balancing UCLK, FCLK, and MCLK clocks, ensuring that they are synchronized or close to it.
• 😀 The cost-benefit ratio of higher-speed DDR5 memory is poor, as DDR5 8000 kits can cost up to double the price of DDR5 6000 kits, without offering substantial performance gains.
• 😀 At 1080p low settings, higher-speed memory like DDR5 8000 has only a slight impact on gaming performance, which decreases further at higher resolutions.
• 😀 It’s recommended to stick with DDR5 6000 CL30 or CL28 for AM5 Ryzen systems, as this will deliver the best value for money with minimal performance sacrifice.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The main focus of the video is to analyze whether faster memory is worth the investment for AM5-based Ryzen CPUs, including evaluating the impact of memory speed on performance and providing recommendations on which memory kit to purchase.

What memory speed does AMD officially recommend for AM5-based Ryzen CPUs?

AMD officially recommends DDR5 memory with a speed of 6000 MT/s for AM5-based Ryzen CPUs. This is because DDR5 6000 offers stable performance on nearly all AM5 systems.

Why does AMD recommend DDR5 6000 MT/s as the standard memory speed?

AMD recommends DDR5 6000 MT/s because it offers a balance of stability and performance. It works well with most AM5-based systems and minimizes the risk of instability that higher-speed memory may cause.

What are the key clocks that affect system performance in AM5-based Ryzen CPUs?

The three key clocks that affect system performance in AM5-based Ryzen CPUs are UCLK (unified memory controller clock), FCLK (infinity fabric clock), and MCLK (memory clock).

How does the quality of the motherboard impact memory speed stability?

The quality of the motherboard plays a crucial role in memory speed stability, as it determines the maximum supported memory speeds and affects how well the system can run higher-speed RAM kits.

What does the 'Silicon Lottery' refer to in the context of AM5-based Ryzen CPUs?

The 'Silicon Lottery' refers to the variation in quality between individual Ryzen CPUs, meaning that some chips are capable of running higher memory speeds (e.g., DDR5 6600) in 1:1 mode while others may struggle to achieve stability at the same speeds.

Why is it not recommended to buy high-speed memory kits for AM5-based Ryzen CPUs?

It is not recommended to buy high-speed memory kits like DDR5 8000 because the performance gains are marginal, and the increased cost significantly reduces the overall value. The performance improvement is often not worth the extra investment.

What performance increase can users expect from DDR5 6400 compared to DDR5 6000 in gaming benchmarks?

In gaming benchmarks, DDR5 6400 offers a small performance increase of around 1.6% in average FPS and 3.6% in 1% lows compared to DDR5 6000. While these increases are positive, they are not substantial.

How does the FCLK (Infinity Fabric Clock) impact the performance when using higher-speed memory?

The FCLK should ideally be synchronized with the UCLK to achieve optimal performance. While higher FCLK values generally improve performance, pushing FCLK too high can cause instability. The best approach is to increase FCLK until it no longer works and then back off slightly to maintain stability.

What conclusion does the video reach regarding the purchase of DDR5 8000 memory kits for AM5 Ryzen CPUs?

The video concludes that DDR5 8000 memory kits are not worth buying for AM5 Ryzen CPUs due to the small performance improvements they offer in gaming and the significantly higher cost. A DDR5 6000 kit provides better value for money.

What impact does gaming at higher resolutions and settings have on the importance of RAM speed for AM5 Ryzen CPUs?

At higher resolutions and settings, the CPU's reliance on RAM decreases, meaning the performance improvements from faster RAM will be even smaller. As a result, the benefits of high-speed memory are less noticeable in such scenarios.

What are the recommended memory kit specifications for AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs based on this video?

The video strongly recommends sticking with DDR5 6000 CL30 or CL28 kits for AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, as they offer the best balance of price, performance, and stability.