I recently took apart my PC and unfortunately ripped a bunch of pins out of the motherboard with a towel. Now I've got a new motherboard, but it's DDR5 instead of DDR4, and I can't return it since I need the PC for work on Monday. I have a 12700k CPU and a 9070xt GPU, and I've read that while Intel says it supports RAM around 4000MHz, some users report stability issues with speeds up to 6000MHz, while others claim it runs fine at 6400MHz. I'm considering two local options: a Crucial 32GB 6400MHz OC model CL38 and a Crucial 64GB 6000MHz CL40. I'd like to know how much of a difference there actually is between these two options, particularly for gaming. I'm not aiming for the absolute best visuals; I just want decent performance. I know lower CAS latency (CL) is better, but due to time constraints, these are my only options right now.
4 Answers
Do you still have access to the old board? If yes, that might help you out!
Have you looked into the cost of another DDR4 motherboard compared to getting new RAM? Sometimes it might be worth the switch if prices are right!
You probably won't feel a significant difference between those two RAM options, especially when gaming. Games typically don't require super fast RAM, so either choice should work just fine for you. Plus, you'd likely not even notice a difference from your previous DDR4 RAM to DDR5 overall.
No need to worry! Your Intel setup can handle both 6000 and 6400MHz RAM as long as you're using no more than two sticks. It should remain stable for you without issues.
But don't forget about the price difference between those choices!