DDR5 - Questions (with answers) about the new technology

A: Memory speed is not controlled exclusively by the module itself but also by the memory controller in the CPU and the BIOS/firmware on the motherboard. That’s why we always recommend you update your BIOS first when troubleshooting. If you still notice a system-level downclocking of your Crucial DDR5 memory to slower than advertised speeds, then we have an easy solution. Simply go to the BIOS/UEFI settings and enable the pre-defined XMP or AMD EXPO™ profile and you should be all set! These features provide easy performance recovery up to JEDEC speeds in situations like this. However, please keep in mind that this performance recovery is not guaranteed on all DDR5 systems as it is highly dependent on the CPU tier, motherboard tier and BIOS stability. Note: Crucial DDR5-4800 parts only features XMP profiles; an AMD-based platform which only supports EXPO profiles will not be able to recover performance with this feature, and DDR5-5200 or faster parts with EXPO profiles included should be used for best performance.

A: Crucial DDR5 Desktop Memory is indeed the standard JEDEC memory. The XMP/EXPO support is for easy performance recovery up to JEDEC speeds if and when users experience a system-level downclocking of their memory to slower speeds. However, please keep in mind that this performance recovery is not guaranteed on all DDR5 systems as it is highly dependent on the CPU tier, motherboard tier and BIOS stability.

A: No, Crucial DDR5 Memory modules in production today do not have heatspreaders. Crucial does not see a need for heatspreaders for our standard JEDEC Crucial DDR5 Memory. However, we continue to analyze system thermals and DIMM-to-DIMM space constraints to determine if heatspreaders will eventually be beneficial or even required for higher speeds to come.

A: We do not recommend overclocking our standard JEDEC Crucial DDR5 Memory. Doing so will void its warranty.

A: Low-power DDR5 (LPDDR5) launched in 2020 in some smartphones, however, LPDDR5 technology is very different than DDR5. CPUs that support DDR5 memory became available by the end of 2021, with Crucial DDR5 Desktop Memory being released as soon as the CPUs were available.

A: DDR5 memory is not just faster than DDR4, it’s better, marking a revolutionary jump in architecture for better channel efficiency, improved power management, and optimized performance to enable next-generation multi-core computing systems. DDR5 launch speeds deliver nearly double the bandwidth of DDR4. It also enables scaling memory performance without degrading channel efficiency at higher speeds, not just during testing, but under real-world conditions*.

* Under memory-intensive workloads, DDR5 delivers 1.87x the bandwidth as a result of double burst length, double the banks and bank groups, and significantly higher speed than DDR4. It is enabled to support scaling memory performance with improved channel efficiency, even at higher speeds, not just during testing, but under real-world condition, as established by JEDEC, an independent standardization body that develops open standards for the microelectronics industry.

A: Crucial's DDR5 memory operates at speeds of 4800MT/s and above, which is 1.5x the maximum standard DDR4 speed. We expect our non-overclocking competition to deliver the same speeds as well.*

* DDR5 launch speeds of 4800MT/s are comparable to extreme-performance DDR4 memory speeds and are 1.5x (50%) faster than maximum standard DDR4 speeds of 3200MT/s. DDR5 launch speeds of 4800MT/s delivers 1.87x the bandwidth of the maximum standard DDR4 speeds of 3200MT/s.

A: Crucial DDR5 memory is available in 8, 16, 24, 32 and 48GB. We expect our non-overclocking competition to deliver the same densities as well.

A: Users can see a noticeable improvement when multitasking, switching between apps, and even opening more browser tabs without system overload, when compared to DDR4 performance. Professionals can run taxing apps like editing and video rendering software without dropping frames and render images from 3D models faster than ever4. Gamers can experience smoother game play on titles with higher frame rates. Engineers and programmers can harness massive computing power while compiling complex codes.

A: No. Crucial DDR5 Desktop Memory is non-ECC memory. The ECC as it pertains to RDIMMs, LRDIMMs, ECC UDIMMs, and ECC SODIMMs is a function that requires additional DRAM at the module level so that platforms such as servers and workstations can correct for errors on individual modules (DIMMs). On-die ECC (ODECC), however, is a feature of the DDR5 component specification and should not be confused with the module-level ECC feature. Crucial DDR5 Desktop Memory is built with DDR5 components that include ODECC, however these modules do not include the additional components necessary for system level ECC.

A: Yes! They are not the same. GDDR is used in video RAM while DDR is for system RAM. Comparatively, DDR has lower bandwidth and lower latency while GDDR has higher bandwidth and higher latency. These differences are intentional because of the way they are uniquely used.

A: No. DDR5 memory and DDR4 motherboards are not compatible.

A: No. Crucial PC DDR4 modules will continue to be available for the vast number of systems that are still built on DDR4 motherboards.