Purchasing RAM for the 5800X3D
Purchasing RAM for the 5800X3D
Hello TechTippers, reviewing the extensive tests on HardwareUnboxed for the 5800X3D reveals that a large cache offers minimal benefit from investing in premium fast RAM. I’m considering a 3200cl16 setup instead. Any suggestions? I’m open to cutting costs on memory if DDR4 is nearing its end, though AMD’s comments about AM4 remaining uncertain are worth noting.
This budget-friendly G-Skill RAM kit offers 16GB of 3600MHz DDR4 memory. It looks like a solid choice for the price.
The real delay of a 3200CL16 setup matches that of a 3600CL18 unit (about 10 nanoseconds), according to what I've heard. The 3600CL16 models have a slightly lower actual latency at 8.88 nanoseconds, which seems marginally better. However, I'm not sure it'll make a noticeable difference, especially with the performance data about extra cache reducing the impact of RAM upgrades. Both options are roughly the same price, and since I plan to enable XMP profiles, it's worth considering.
It’s a bit different how things function on Zen. The FCLK connects each core to the memory controller and is matched with the memory speed, meaning higher memory speeds reduce delays across all parts. Although the initial wait time between a 3200C16 and a 3600C18 setup seems identical, the real factor affecting speed is the delay from memory stick to cores, which includes the FCLK. Therefore, the 3600C18 should perform slightly better—provided the timing isn’t overly off. Still, a noticeable gap is unlikely, with only about a 5% difference in gameplay between the 3200MT/s C16 and the 3600MT/s CL16 kits. Consider it as a minor variation.
it doesn't add up to choose the lowest quality RAM when you're investing in the 5800x3d, opt for the 5700 and budget-friendly option or at least pick this link https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-...ption=cl16 3600&cm_re=cl16_3600-_-20-232-880-_-Product 130usd for 2x16
It's quite intriguing. The 3600cl18 model comes with specific timing info, while the 3200cl16 lists different times. I'm not sure which one is better without more details, but if the differences are under five percent, either would be acceptable. Since I'm mainly using it for gaming on an X3D, I wonder why I'd need 32 GB of RAM. Plus, upgrading to 16 GB would cost an extra $20, and I don't think I'll be able to upgrade again soon. Would the performance differences between these two models really matter?
The 5800x3d costs $200 more than the 5700 for a 15% gain (just gaming). You're good to stick with 16GB RAM, though for most builds 32 is better. The price gap between CL18 and CL16 3600 will be around 3% for the $15 difference. You won't be able to move the CPU forward either. Adding dual-rank RAM adds another 10-15%. Since you're already paying for the 5800x3d, I'd choose a cheaper option like a 5700 plus budget RAM or at least decent dual-rank if you want extra performance. Depending on your GPU, you might not need the 5800x3d at all.
The sub-timings are details that aren't always visible in the performance of a memory kit. There are numerous memory timings for Ryzen processors, each influencing speed in different ways, and manufacturers often highlight just the main numbers. This means you might get one kit with 3600C18-22-22-42 and another with 3600CL18-22-22-42, yet one works exceptionally well while the other struggles. Still, some motherboards simply disregard the listed sub-timings, so it can sometimes be irrelevant. The 3600CL18-22-22-42 don’t offer outstanding primary timings, though they’re not entirely poor. I’d prefer something better—ideally B die—but that’s only important if you plan to adjust your memory settings.
I already possess the X3D, which confirms it. If there are significant gains possible even with dual-rank memory, I’ll need to factor that in. The next step is checking the die used by the memory kits I’m evaluating to understand their potential at a minimum. Particularly if I decide to go with a 4x8 configuration like the xg32 suggests.