I've heard mixed opinions about RAM speed, especially when it comes to Ryzen builds. I'm currently planning to get a 2x16 Gb DDR5 kit with XMP, despite knowing that XMP is primarily for Intel systems. I've been advised that 4800 MT/s might be considered 'too slow' for my AM5 chip. My knowledge on this is a bit rusty; back in the days of Intel's 4th generation, RAM speed didn't seem to have much impact. Could someone explain the general effect of RAM speed on performance? If switching to a 5600 MT/s kit with EXPO costs me an extra $100, is that worth it? I'm just looking for a few extra FPS, and if that's all I'm gaining, it might not be a big deal for me.
6 Answers
If you're really concerned about RAM speed, most kits can easily reach 6000 MT/s without too much hassle. The subtimings affect performance, but you're unlikely to notice a difference unless you're going for the best performance possible. Stick with what feels right for your budget!
The impact largely depends on your gaming style. If you're into competitive shooters or have a high-end GPU, faster RAM makes a bigger difference. For casual gaming with a mid-range setup, you probably won't notice much of a difference in FPS in single-player games.
Most memory kits come with both XMP and EXPO profiles. Even if it's primarily labeled for Intel, you should be able to set it to run at 4800 MT/s in your BIOS without issues. Just make sure your FCLK is set correctly to half the MT/s value for better stability.
Honestly, it seems like a tough call. It might not be worth the extra cash if you're only gaining a couple of FPS. If RAM prices weren't so high, it’d definitely be easier to justify. Also, some AMD applications can run XMP profiles fine, so don’t hesitate to give it a shot.
Typically, the performance difference is minimal, especially if you're just worried about a few FPS in 1% lows. Each game behaves differently, but if the price gap is significant, I'd stick with the DDR5-4800 kit and call it a day. If you can, consider upgrading to an X3D chip later, as they handle memory bandwidth better due to their larger cache.
Here's a little story: I forgot to enable XMP for my 6000 MHz RAM, so it ran at 4800 MHz. My FPS went from 300 to 360 once I turned on XMP 2. RAM speed can significantly impact performance, especially in certain games, so sharing my experience might help you decide!
True, but if you go for 6000 MHz or higher, XMP might not work as smoothly without an EXPO profile. I found myself limited to 4800 MHz for stability even with overclocking.