Hey everyone! I'm wondering if Zen 5 CPUs have specific RAM speed and timing preferences similar to Zen 4, which really seemed to perform best at 6,000 MHz, with Expo and tight timings. I had a 7700X in my previous desktop and encountered some stutters that I didn't realize could be linked to RAM issues until after I sold it during a big move. I'm planning to get back into the desktop scene soon and I'm eyeing the 9800X3D, so I'd love to know more about this! Thanks!
5 Answers
If you're considering waiting to build your system, Zen 6 might be the way to go! Rumors suggest it will have a better memory controller, which means past advice about Zen 4 and 5 might not apply. It could be worth the wait for those improvements.
For the best performance on Zen 5, aim for 6000 MHz RAM with CL30 or lower. That's a reliable choice. Many users have found that this setup works well, even if it’s not the absolute peak performance.
Zen 5 will have the same memory controller as Zen 4, so expect the sweet spot to be around 6000 MT/s for optimal performance. Going over that can lead to performance drop due to the memory controller's switch to half speed. You can push to 6200 MT/s or 6400 MT/s, but only if you enjoy tweaking and overclocking!
While 6000 CL30 is a great spot for pricing, remember that the stutters you experienced might not just be from RAM or the CPU itself. In fact, RAM speed isn't as critical with the X3D CPUs because they have a lot of cache to manage typical workloads. Just find a good deal on 6000 CL30 and you should be set!
I strongly believe RAM speed matters, even on X3D. After fine-tuning my subtimings, my 7800X3D felt much faster, allowing me to run lower VSOC settings. It might be worth experimenting with those settings!
Definitely go for 2x16GB of 6000 MT/s with CL30. That setup will serve you well with Zen 5.
It’s tough to pinpoint the cause of the stutters, especially on Windows 11. I’ve had similar experiences. I just figured the RAM could’ve played a role since I was using XMP RAM back then.