DDR5 memory, introduced in 2021, indicated the arrival of the next generation of memory modules.
But should you opt for the latest and greatest in the world of RAM?
Read on to learn the differences between DDR4 and DDR5 and the performances you could expect from them.
So, lets get started.
The table below will give you brief information about these key specifications.
But it’s possible for you to expect DDR5 to reach a mind-boggling 8400 MHz in the future.
Lets see what improvements you get a bit more in detail.
Slot Design
Below, you’re free to see a stick of both generations of RAM.
Every memory module is designed to work in a specific slot.
This is similar to a lock-key analogy.
Precisely there are 280 connectors for both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM.
The difference lies in the arrangement of these notches.
DDR4 memory will simply not fit on a motherboard with a DDR5 slot and vice versa.
With DDR5, the base frequency now starts at 4800 MT/s.
Consider these just the base speeds that you’ve got the option to expect with this generation.
The faster units focused on gaming can go as high as 6400 MT/s.
Unsurprisingly expect to shell out twice as much for getting such speeds.
Capacity
DDR5 brings a large capacity of memory to single sticks, never seen before.
With DDR4, 64 GB was the max amount.
Now 128 GB of memory can be accommodated on a single stick of DDR5 RAM.
Though in theory, DDR5 can have up to 512 GB of memory in a single stick.
That, however, would be limited to the server space where ECC memory is the norm.
Using these, the upcoming workstations can rock memory upwards of 512 GB, which is a stupendous amount.
As for now, 128 GB is the maximum memory that Ryzen 7000 or Intels 13th Gen processors support.
The maximum capacity that you get with a single stick is 32 GB.
This will change with time when we will see higher dense memory entering the market.
Latency
you could recognize the memory latency by looking at theCAS Latencyvalues on the memory packaging.
Lower latency means your rig can send/receive data in batches in a faster time.
The fastest DDR4 memory has a latency of 16 ns.
Right now, thebest DDR5 RAMavailable has a latency of 40 ns.
But as it can transfer data faster than DDR4, the overall speed is quicker.
You also need to consider that these are the first generations of DD5 memory.
Imagine the speeds you could expect when the latencies reach the level of DDR4 memory.
Voltage and Channels
DDR5 requires 1.1 V to operate.
For comparison, the DDR4 variant requires 1.2 V. A lower voltage means longevity for your memory.
DDR4 RAM relied on a chip in the motherboard for this.
Now lets look at channels.
Think of these as pathways through which data can travel.
DDR4 RAM has a single 72-bit bus (64-bit for data and 8-bit for error correction).
With DDR5, you get two 40-bit channels (32-bit for data).
Now think about this, we all recommend getting the memory in dual channels to increase the transfer speed.
This is the speed DDR5 brings to the table.
If you were wondering whetherDDR5 is backward compatible, read this fantastic piece.
In addition, you also get temperature sensors built into the memory itself.
That means you’re able to finally verify if the memory is getting hotter.
Having such innovations is good, but what about real-world performances?
Do you finally become a good gamer by rocking the fastest RAM on your build?
That is what we explore in the next section.
Performance Benchmarks
For the performance comparison, we have placed three RAM modules against each other.
Every module has a capacity of 16 GB, which in total is 32 GB running at dual-channel.
Both of these have a latency of CL-16.
Lets look at the rest of the test bench.
For the benchmarks, we have some memory-specific synthetic tests and a few games running at 1080p ultra tweaks.
First off is Geekbench 5.
Next off is Puget Bench for Premier Pro.
This tests real-time video editing workloads on your rig.
A higher score indicates a better performance.
Here, DDR5 performs 7.5% faster than the DDR4 platform.
While the difference isnt astronomical, its nice to get an uplift.
The Adobe Photoshop test for Puget Bench also shows similar results.
Here, some anomalies popped up in our results.
The faster DDR4 RAM performs slower than the lower-clocked one.
The DDR5, as usual, leads with a 4.4% greater score.
The Next test involves Da-Vinci Resolve, another utility used for video workloads.
The difference here is so minimal that we cannot consider a substantial win for DDR5.
It is only 1.9% faster than DDR4.
Now onto some gaming benchmarks.
We ran Red Dead Redemption, FarCry 6, and Battlefield V at ultra tweaks at 1080p.
I have not included results for the DDR4-3600 module, as the differences are extremely minimal.
Should You Upgrade Your RAM from DDR4 to DDR5?
Now that we have the results lets analyze the findings.
From the productivity tests, we had the most gains when editing photos or videos using Adobes software suite.
However, on Geekbench, the performance difference was around 6 percent.
During gaming sessions, any advantages provided by DDR5 diminish.
We got scores that did not separate the platform that much.
DDR5 prices have come down considerably compared to last year.
Now you’ve got the option to get a 32 GB kit for close to 100 dollars.
The RGB versions are not far away, costing an extra 20-30 bucks.
Time for the verdict, then.
Should you go for DDR5 RAM over DDR4?
If you are building a new system with the latest processor, then go for a DDR5-based system.
Also, consider the scenarios based on the work you would typically do on your PC.
For gaming, you are better off removing bottlenecks from your system than spending a price premium for DDR5.
For example, allocate the budget towards your graphics card than spending extra bucks on RAM.
On the productivity side, you do get improvements in Video and Photo editing.
With time, developers can leverage the extra bandwidth DDR5 provides and optimize the applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DDR5 RAM better than DDR4?
DDR5 brings twice the bandwidth than DDR4.
Does DDR5 make a difference?
DDR5 provides marginal improvements in productivity tasks while no mentionable lead in gaming.
you’re able to expect it to provide dividends in the future when it is widely adopted.
Can I use DDR5 RAM in a DDR4 motherboard?
You will damage the DDR5 RAM if you venture to connect it forcibly.
Does DDR5 need a new motherboard?
That means buying a motherboard that states this on its packaging.
Final Words
Thats all for todays article.
I hope now your decision is made easier on which memory to opt for.
DDR5 has some great specs, and one will surely appreciate it when applications can utilize them.
Till then, DDR4 is here to stay and will continue providing the best bang for your buck.
So, make the best decision and let the torch of pc gaming shine brightly.
