What ddr5 ram should I buy
What ddr5 ram should I buy
For comparison, your setup uses an Msi z790 edge WiFi with up to 7200MHz RAM support. Your CPU is the Intel Core i7-14700K, which is quite powerful. You might want to match or exceed its capabilities—ideally around 16GB or more of RAM for optimal performance. This ensures smooth multitasking and high-speed operations. RAM should generally be on the higher end of the recommended specifications unless your system already meets those needs.
The common recommendation is: if it exceeds 6000Mhz CL30, it’s likely unnecessary spending. Purchase the most affordable 2x16GB 6000Mhz CL30 units unless higher memory is required. What are you using your computer for?
Purchase the most affordable 6400c32 kit available. Quality is low since no reputable manufacturer supports Hynix dies for that chipset. You can safely skip tuning RAM right now. If you plan to adjust RAM later, consider 7600-8400 depending on your CPU's IMC. Note that Intel DDR5 ICs are inconsistent, so saving money might mean using TForce 5600C46 RAM instead—they’re also Hynix dies and will match the 6400c32 XMP kits (9000+). If you don’t want to start tuning immediately, buy the 6400c32 XMP kits until you feel comfortable. I’m unsure how well MSI boards handle RAM tuning, but Giga Z790 AORUS models seem solid for this purpose given their price. For 6000C30/32, Hynix dies are possible, so if your CPU runs well out of the box at 6400, it’s better to stick with it and reuse your RAM later. The extra $ for a 6400 kit is worth it compared to replacing it later.
I’m not entirely sure, but I think the reasons boards back higher RAM speeds are: 1) It’s tough to sell motherboards. Unlike CPUs, GPUs, SSDs, and RAM, motherboards lack clear stats for comparison, making it hard to stand out. This makes it common to choose the cheapest, well-reviewed board with the features you need, often overlooking pricier options except rarely. I believe the current market pressure has pushed manufacturers to highlight faster RAM speeds just to attract buyers who might not realize they’re getting little or no performance boost. 2) Backing higher speeds lets makers claim their boards are more upgrade-friendly, even if those upgrades aren’t really worthwhile. As for RAM speed gains in gaming: they’re probably minimal, almost nonexistent, except in a few specific cases like certain video editing tools.