I'm looking into the new Intel 250K/270K Plus CPUs but I'm not too familiar with them. I've been considering some high-performance options like the 9600X/9700X, but these new chips are looking pretty good. I know that for AM5 systems, DDR5-6000 CL30 is the best balance of performance, compatibility, and price. So, what RAM speed would be the equivalent sweet spot for the Intel chips?
6 Answers
From my experience with the 265K/285K models, 6400MT/s in Gear 1 runs flawlessly. I’ve also put together several builds at 6800MT/s, and they handle it without any issues. Many don't want to invest in 7200MT/s speeds, which might prompt a shift to gear 2 for those.
If you're after value, look for around 10 ns in latency. You can usually get good options like 5600/28, 6000/30, or 6400/32, which all provide great performance for the price.
Honestly, the best RAM is simply what fits your budget! You can find great deals on various speeds, so just go with what you can afford.
I'd avoid going faster than CL34/6400MT speeds until RAM prices drop significantly. It doesn't make much sense to spend more when the performance gains just aren't worth it.
With the new Arrow Lake architecture, it seems like RAM speeds really shine as you bump them up, reaching impressive performance at around 8800MT/s if you're going for the extreme. But honestly, a solid 6000MT/s is sufficient for most users and fits nicely within a budget.
There really is no defined sweet spot! Any DDR5 RAM should work fine. The speed doesn't drastically affect overall performance anyway.
You might get some downvotes for saying that, but I agree! RAM speed can be overhyped!