Does a higher AMD CPU TDP support better memory overclocking?
Does a higher AMD CPU TDP support better memory overclocking?
Hi all,
I was weighing the options between Ryzen 5 3600 and 3600X after reading reviews that mentioned "The X don't worth It." I started to think about whether the 95w TDP of the 3600X could really improve stability when overclocking memory. Could that extra power assist the IMC in managing higher frequencies and tighter timings? Since the controller is integrated into the CPU...
Someone could help clarify this question.
3600 won't improve your memory overclocking, the IMC remains similar to that with 3600. The mainboard plays a key role in affecting RAM overclock performance.
Agreed with the previous points. TDP refers to the heat generated and used by the cooler, not the CPU's power consumption. In reality, the actual draw can often surpass the TDP during use.
Another factor to think about is that the 3600X is technically superior and likely comes with a better cooling solution. But usually, the slight increase in cost isn't justified by the performance gain.
I chose the 3600X myself since the price difference was minimal at the time.
Certainly if one were using any 65 W BIOS with a TDP limit, you'd quickly reach that 65W wall, and the clock speed would drop by at least a few hundred MHz. (I’d think RAM clocks alone would only add a few watts here.) Regarding the overall clock speed potential, the X models could possibly manage an extra 25-50 MHz through manual overclocking on average. (You can find some Der8auer stats on Youtube)
X models function as elevated binned versions of non-x. With identical frequency and voltage, their TDP remains consistent.
Interesting video to watch. He's contrasting a 3600 and 3600x setup, placing each processor next to the other's stock cooler.
Link corrected: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrV52jMgZxg
Check if the 3600X provides similar power consumption or has room for higher power draw compared to the 3600, and whether it impacts memory overclocking. Focus on which processor performs better for RAM overclocking.
Zen2 architecture uses chiplets. The IMC for all Ryzen 3000 CPUs resides on the I/O chiplet, not on the CCD chiplets (CPU core complexes). The I/O chiplet is manufactured with a different process and is situated far from the cores, which means it experiences less heat. Consequently, the heat produced by overclocking the cores shouldn't influence memory overclocking. This doesn't imply every IMC will overclock uniformly, but most have successfully achieved capable memory speeds of 3600/1800IF, which is ideal for the system for several reasons.
If you're planning an OC for your RAM to around 3800mhz (IF1900) with CL15 settings on a stock CPU, it suggests minimal extra heat from the cores. Could the 3600X contribute to improved stability in that scenario? Please, keep in mind, I'm not trying to overclock the CPU myself, as I believe it's not worth the effort. Overclocking RAM seems to offer better performance gains instead. Which processor would be more suitable for your RAM overclocking needs: the 3600 or the 3600X? Or does it really not matter?