The DDR5 standard for memory (Random Access Memory = RAM) specified by JEDEC is designed to scale the performance of memory without sacrificing efficiency at higher clock rates. This was achieved by doubling the "burst length" and the number of memory banks.
Other features of the 5th generation "Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory" (DDR-SDRAM) include:
Here are the DDR5 specifications according to JEDEC compared to DDR4:
| DDR5 | DDR4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed: | 3,200 - 8,400 MBit/s | 1,600 - 3,200 MBit/s |
| Capacity: | 8 / 16 / 24 / 32 / 64 GB | 2 / 4 / 8 / 16 GB |
| On Die ECC: | YES | NO |
| Banks | 32 | 16 |
| Voltage: | 1.1 volts | 1.2 volts |
| Max Voltage: | 1.8 volts | 2.5 volts |
| Burst Length: | 16 | 8 |
| DFE: | YES | NO |
| Same Bank Refresh: | YES | NO |
In addition to the new features, DDR5 offers lower power consumption with almost doubled memory clock speeds. Although latencies appear to be significantly higher at first glance, the increased memory clock speed keeps the memory bandwidth comparable to or faster than DDR4 modules:
The two most important characteristics for memory performance are the clock frequency (MHz, the higher, the faster) and latency (CL, the lower, the faster), while the capacity of the DIMM modules does not play a significant role in pure speed.
For a gaming PC, the specifications of the RAM are not the only important factor; the memory should also look good. Here, the heat spreaders of the memory modules play a crucial role: they not only help cool the RAM but also look good. Many heat sinks are also equipped with colorful RGB LED lighting. And everyone knows: the more RGB, the more FPS!
For workstations or gaming PCs with extreme memory demands, it is also possible to replace the heat spreaders with heatsinks for water cooling. Similar to SSDs, DDR5 DIMM modules can lose performance under extreme load and heat. While this is not necessary for normal gaming PCs, it can ensure stable performance for a high-end workstation.