Alder Lake - DDR4 3200 CL16 comparison with DDR5
Alder Lake - DDR4 3200 CL16 comparison with DDR5
I've been reviewing Alder Lake extensively, and it seems most tests focused on DDR4 3200 CL14. The initial findings suggest little variation in performance between DDR4 3200 CL14 and early DDR5 modules, except for specific multi-core tasks where DDR5 outperforms. Many reviewers recommend sticking with DDR4 mainly because of its lower cost. Yet, when searching for 3200 CL14 RAM, it appears significantly pricier than CL16 options. The most affordable 2x16GB CL16 kits are around $140 CAD, while the cheapest CL14 set is about $270—bringing it closer to DDR5 pricing. If you're aiming for DDR4 compatibility to remain competitive, a DDR5 upgrade might be justified despite the higher price. The latency drop from CL16 to CL14 is roughly 12.5%, though actual performance gains would need confirmation. I've also noticed one reviewer suggesting Alder Lake could stay in Gear 1 with higher clocked DDR4 CL16 units (around $180-200 CAD), which could be a viable alternative. Have anyone conducted thorough tests comparing memory performance across different frequencies and timing settings?
I'm exploring this concept, yes – particularly if I can secure a dGPU at a better price through a bundle. My current Xeon/RX 480 setup still handles 1080p well, but I've been thinking about upgrading to 1440P. My main needs are productivity during the day, with more threads being beneficial than higher speeds, and some gaming on weekends (mostly 4X titles like Civilization). I'm planning to use a VFIO configuration in the new machine, but that won't be a priority right now. For the dGPU situation, I'm focusing on CPUs with built-in graphics for now, so even though Zen 3 is great, I won't be pursuing that path.