How Important Are RAM Speed and Timings When Building a PC?

When building for AMD, most recommend aiming for 6000 MT/s with a CL around 30. That fits well with current AMD recommendations, allowing good compatibility and performance. Among your choices, I'd suggest the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo since it’s an affordable option and has decent specs. Just remember, higher speeds may not be fully utilized by your CPU, and sometimes you can lower the speed on more expensive RAM to achieve better timings without sacrificing performance. Also, XMP profiles often work on AMD boards under different names, so don't worry too much about that.

Your choice really boils down to your specific needs. If your applications require more than 32GB, then go for the Corsair's 48GB kit, especially if you might hit pagefile issues. For gaming and CAD work, both the G.SKILL and TEAMGROUP will perform well. However, if gaming is your main focus and your workload fits within 32GB, the faster timings on the TEAMGROUP could give you a small edge. Ultimately, monitor your demand against RAM specs.

Upgrading to a CPU like the 7800X3D will yield greater improvements than anything you'll see from RAM upgrades. It's often better to invest in a better processor and settle for reasonably priced RAM. The differences in performance from RAM speed and timings, like from 6000 to 7200, are minimal—around 5 frames per second in gaming scenarios. Solid performance comes from your GPU, so focus your budget there.

From my experience, upgrading RAM can lead to noticeable improvements, especially if you're coming from much slower speeds. Swapping from DDR4 3000 to 4000 really boosted my Timespy score and FPS. But with DDR5, results can vary. If you're doing budget planning, aim for lower timings at 6000 MT/s; that's where you’ll see the best returns without breaking the bank.

In terms of performance percentages, you can expect around a 3% difference when moving from 6000 CL30 to CL36. For most users, if you have enough capacity (like 32GB), the speed becomes secondary unless you're into heavy overclocking. The G.SKILL kit is sensible if you want a good balance between cost and performance. Just keep an eye out for sales—good RAM can sell out fast!