AMD's EXPO Ultra Low Latency program, announced at Computex 2026, aims to give users a one-click route to lower memory latencies than its existing EXPO profiles, but the company's initial announcement was light on details. To learn more about EXPO ULL, I stopped by G.Skill's Computex booth, where the company demonstrated four new kits that offer EXPO ULL support.

Memory latency directly affects how long the CPU has to wait in order to get data back from RAM, and so it has a major impact on CPU performance. But even as new DDR standards and ever-faster DIMMs have boosted memory bandwidth, DDR latency has improved at a much slower pace over time.

For some very high-level background, when selecting memory, PC builders will generally consider a given memory kit's speed and its CAS latency (CL). If you compare two CL30 memory kits, for example, the one with the higher clock rate will have a lower effective latency in nanoseconds (because CL30 expresses a number of clock cycles).

Knowing this, your first instinct for reducing latency might be to seek the highest-clocked memory you can find with the lowest CAS latency (like DDR5-8400 or even faster modules).

But on modern AMD platforms, it's not that simple. Reaching memory speeds higher than 6000 MT/s generally requires the use of a 1:2 multiplier mode between the clock of the integrated memory controller (the UCLK), which generally tops out around 3000 MHz, and the memory clock (MCLK). This 1:2 multiplier adds latency, and so it can counterintuitively reduce performance even as memory speeds climb above 6000 MT/s. (Remember that DDR memory moves bits at twice the clock rate, hence MT/s).

With this 1:2 multiplier active, by the time additional memory clock speed even begins to bring latency back down to where it would generally be in the 1:1 mode, you're looking at wildly expensive and exotic memory kits, and so most enthusiasts running Ryzen 7000 and Ryzen 9000 CPUs consider it desirable to choose memory that lets them run the UCLK and MCLK in 1:1 lockstep for the best balance of low latency and (relatively) low cost.

All that is why using memory faster than 6000 MT/s on AMD platforms is generally counterproductive for gaming performance. That's why modules in the range of DDR5-6000 CL30 are widely regarded as the overclocking "sweet spot" for Ryzen 7000 and Ryzen 9000 CPUs.

But that doesn't mean there isn't further room for improvement, as the introduction of EXPO ULL suggests.

G.Skill told me that until now, DRAM module makers were only permitted to change the four primary timings within EXPO (and XMP) profiles, leaving performance on the table. EXPO ULL affords memory makers more freedom to adjust the sub-timings within each of those four primary timings for even lower latencies, and to include those results in the memory's SPD.

Tweaking memory sub-timings on Ryzen platforms using community-made tools to determine the best potential settings used to be a fairly common practice for those seeking the best performance from their AMD systems, but Ryzen X3D processors and their massive slices of 3D V-Cache reduced those CPUs' sensitivity to those finer adjustments. It's become much more common to just get a DDR5-6000 CL30 kit, enable EXPO, and call it good.

But if you are focused on achieving the absolute lowest memory latency, EXPO ULL removes the need to perform the (tedious and tricky) process of determining those improved sub-timings by allowing memory makers to shoulder that work and include it as part of the one-click boost that EXPO provides.

For all that, EXPO ULL doesn't change the fundamental performance characteristics of X3D versus non-X3D CPUs, so while you can certainly pair an X3D chip with an EXPO ULL kit, G.Skill tells me that you're not going to see as large of a difference in performance from that pairing as you would with a non-X3D chip. That's why AMD is touting the performance gains of EXPO ULL with a Ryzen 7 9700X and not the Ryzen 7 9850X3D you might expect.

G.Skill also told me that EXPO ULL-ready memory requires stricter binning of individual memory chips during production, so it isn't just a software change that can be applied to existing modules. The company says the extra work involved in this stricter binning process means that modules supporting the feature are likely to be more expensive than kits that haven't undergone the same characterization.

Overall, then, EXPO ULL is likely to be a premium (and somewhat niche) addition to the EXPO program instead of a broad replacement for non-ULL EXPO profiles. Demanding gamers who need the lowest memory latency for the best performance in CPU-bound gaming scenarios will likely want an EXPO ULL kit regardless of the type of Ryzen CPU they're using. But we'll have to see just how much extra cash these kits demand in today's already eye-watering memory market and what benefit they have, if any, for AMD's massively popular X3D chips.

Representatives told Tom's Hardware at Computex 2026 that counterfeit memory modules with G.Skill and V-Color badges have hit various marketplaces in China, and the problem is widespread enough that V-Color has observed lower sales to certain clients. Fake memory modules are nothing new, but in this case, forged DIMMs reportedly use printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are identical to those used by G.Skill and V-Color, which makes early detection of counterfeit products difficult.

“We have customers telling us that some Chinese manufacturers are making copies of our products, as well as products from other brands, and selling them at lower prices than we do,” a spokesperson for V-Color told Tom’s Hardware. “We do not really know how they are doing it. The PCB looks the same, even the heat spreader looks identical.”

Given the current situation with memory prices, counterfeit memory modules have become a growing problem in Asian online marketplaces, particularly in gray-market and second-hand channels. Recent reports described fake DDR5 modules containing dummy ‘chips’ made of plastic or fiberglass with fake markings, as well as mislabeled modules marked as products from well-known brands. However, the new case is different because forged memory modules use PCBs that are identical to those used by G.Skill and V-Color and use the same heat spreaders and perhaps complex RGB lighting, making distinguishing between real and counterfeit products particularly difficult.

While developing a PCB for an enthusiast-class memory module takes time and money, producing that PCB is fairly easy, as makers of DIMMs use neither complex PCBs nor too complex equipment. Also, developing enthusiast-grade memory modules (ensuring that they run at the right specifications with popular CPUs) also takes time and money. In addition, sourcing chips from DRAM makers or distributors to make fake memory modules is hard, if even possible at all today. Finally, quality control at the chip level and at the module level is relatively costly, and these two are the main value adders when it comes to enthusiast-grade memory. That said, forging high-end memory modules is easy and might be a profitable business, especially if perpetrators have access to second-hand memory chips. Speaking of chips, the V-Color representative could not say which ICs the fake modules used.

“We do not know because we have not had any of those modules in our hands,” the spokesman said. “We only use SK hynix memory, so we cannot say what chips they are using. We have not received any RMAs related to them. Other brands may have received returns and been able to inspect the products, perhaps because the memory chips were different.”

While a representative for G.Skill confirmed that there are counterfeit G.Skill memory modules sold on Chinese marketplaces, he said that the issue has existed forever, so users should buy their high-end DIMMs from official partners and resellers in a bid to avoid the problem.

If you thought DDR5 was already too expensive right now, Cooler Master and G.Skill have a surprise in store for you. The two manufacturers are partnering up to make "MasterDIMM" — a new line of DDR5 memory kits that come with active cooling and a promise of temperatures that are up to 15 degrees cooler than conventional RAM. These sticks feature a thick heatsink with a fan built-in to emulate a blower-style cooler you see in some GPUs. There are no pricing or availability details yet, but it's not hard to imagine these kits, made for "demanding next-gen systems," will be even pricier than regular DDR5.

MasterDIMM will be properly shown off at Computex 2026 in just a few days, so expect more information then. For now, we know that these are high-end UDIMMs (desktop) that will push the envelope for DDR5 RAM in terms of style. The design of these sticks is very classy, sporting a black and gold aesthetic with part of the copper heatsink visible on the front, along with the fan on the other end. Naturally, they're a little larger than regular DIMM's, so motherboard compatibility remains to be seen.

There are two RGB strips running along the top, also flanked by gold accents, and the whole thing looks oddly similar to a fancy M.2 SSD. The RAM itself is made by G.Skill, while the heatsink is designed by Cooler Master. MasterDIMM will offer speeds up to 6,000 MT/s at CL26 latency with AMD EXPO, or up to 8.400 MT/s on Intel platforms via XMP 3.0. Capacities will scale up to 128GB at the top-end through 64GBx2 configs.

The companies claim the fan inside is whisper-quiet, delivering optimal cooling at just 35 decibels. That's the same noise level as a library. The heatsink and fan combo can drop temperatures by up to 15 degrees Celsius, which would be a remarkable improvement if proven true in testing. Keep in mind that DDR5 RAM, in general, is already rated for operation at up to 95°C, but it stays between 70-80°C in most cases.

Now, this is not the first time someone has put a massive cooler, or even two fans, on some RAM, but it's the most mainstream version of such a combination yet. Both G.Skill and Cooler Master are huge names in the PC hardware industry, so it'll be interesting to see how well this product does. Of course, that depends on pricing, and DDR5 prices are still out of control despite some semblance of the AI boom slowing down as of late.

More than a decade ago, Corsair tried to actively cool memory with its Vengeance Airflow modules, and vendors have tried to fit their DIMMs with creative heatsinks forever. Last year, we even tested a Silverstone AIO that could attach optional fans to itself to cool your memory and SSD.

Angeion Group, a settlement administration firm, is calling for eligible G.Skill customers to claim their cash from the company. According to the company’s X post, people who purchased a G.Skill DDR4 or DDR5 RAM kits may be eligible to receive a part of the $2.4 million that the company paid to settle the deceptive advertising case filed against it.

The plaintiffs said that “they were lead to believe that the advertised speeds were 'out of the box' speeds requiring no adjustments to their PCs," and they alleged “that G.Skill deceptively advertised and labeled the speed of its DDR-4 and DDR-5 DRAM (non-laptop) memory products with rated speeds over 2133 MHz or 4800 MHz, and that G.Skill is liable for violations of consumer protection statutes and breach of express warranty." While the company refused to admit any wrongdoing, it decided to settle the case to avoid “the uncertainties, burdens, and expenses associated with ongoing litigation.”

Eligible claimants must have purchased a G.Skill DDR4 memory module with a rated speed of over 2133 MHz or a G.Skill DDR5 rated above 4800 MHz between January 31, 2018, and January 7, 2026, while residing in the United States. You also do not need to present proof of purchase if you’re making five or fewer claims. So, if you think you’re qualified to file a claim, you can fill out the claim form on the official Settlement Website until April 7, 2026.

However, even though the settlement amount is relatively large at $2.4 million, the amount each claimant will get will vary depending on the total number of claims. Claim Depot also reports several deductions from the total amount, including administration costs of $295,000, attorney’s fees of up to $800,000, attorney’s expenses (to be determined), and service awards to class representatives of up to $10,000. Because of this, the amount you get (if you’re eligible for the claim) could be significantly less than the price of one of the best RAM kits you can get today. But even if that is the case, every penny still counts, especially as we struggle with skyrocketing memory and storage prices.

A class action lawsuit brought against G.Skill, maker of some of the best RAM for gaming and general computing applications, has been settled to the tune of $2.4 million. The company was sued over claims that it deceptively advertised and labeled the speed of DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits sold between January 2018 and January 2026. The company denies all wrongdoing, and the case was not decided in court.

As per documents from the case, the initial class action lawsuit was brought over claims "that G.Skill deceptively advertised and labeled the speed of its DDR-4 and DDR-5 DRAM (non-laptop) memory products with rated speeds over 2133 MHz or 4800 MHz, and that G.Skill is liable for violations of consumer protection statutes and breach of express warranty." Specifically, the lawsuit seems to be about overclocking, noting plaintiffs represented allege "they were lead to believe that the advertised speeds were 'out of the box' speeds requiring no adjustments to their PCs."

Rather than take the case to court, both sides have agreed to a $2.4 million settlement. G.Skill denies the allegations, and the court hasn't decided in favor of either party, avoiding "the uncertainties, burdens, and expenses associated with ongoing litigation," and ensuring class members get a payout sooner rather than later.

To that end, "All individuals in the United States who purchased one or more G.Skill DDR-4 and DDR-5 DRAM (non-laptop) memory products with rated speeds over 2133 MHz or 4800 MHz respectively from January 31, 2018 to January 7, 2026," are part of the settlement class and eligible for payout. Court documents go on to specify that class members will be eligible for up to five qualifying purchases per household, provided you have proof of purchase.

As is often the case with settlements, a lot of that money has already been allocated. $295,000 in settlement administration costs, up to $800,000 in attorneys' fees, an undetermined amount of attorneys' expenses, and service awards to class representatives of up to $5,000 means that upwards of half the settlement pot has already been spent. How much you'll get if you're eligible depends entirely on how many class members there are, with the remainder of the fund split between them.

If you think you're eligible, you should head to the Claim Depot website and follow the instructions. You'll need to submit a claim form by April 7, or you can, of course, also submit an objection or indeed exclude yourself from the class by the same deadline.

Aside from the monetary payout, the settlement also includes provisions that G.Skill will take "commercially reasonable efforts to implement changes" to its packaging, website product pages, and specifications provided to retailers to make them more explicit about achieving top speeds with its RAM. The court documents state that rated speeds will be listed as "up to" speeds, and include the following disclaimer: "Requires overclocking/BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depend on system components, including motherboard and CPU.”

As noted, the class action is only applicable within the United States, with payouts expected approximately 45 days after the court matter is all settled, notwithstanding any appeals or further process.

G.Skill has entered the 128GB (2x64GB) race and brought the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C34 to dethrone the best RAM. Finding reasonably priced DDR5 memory kits has become increasingly challenging, let alone procuring 128GB memory kits. First, manufacturing these massive dual-channel memory kits requires 64GB modules that push production costs through the roof. Second, the memory shortage has left most major retailers showing limited stock and manufacturers scrambling to meet even basic demand, so there aren't many premium enthusiast-grade kits being released. Therefore, G.Skill's Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C34 memory kit is worth paying attention to if you have the cash for such a hefty kit.

G.Skill has always understood that premium memory deserves premium aesthetics, and the Trident Z5 Neo RGB memory modules are the perfect example. The meticulously crafted aluminum heat spreader features a matte black exterior, a complementary black brushed aluminum inset, and silver highlights, making the fin-like design stand out. At a builder-friendly 1.65 inches (42mm) tall, we expect these memory modules to slide effortlessly under even the most aggressive CPU air coolers without any clearance nightmares.

Crowning each memory module is a streamlined RGB light bar with vibrant colors and illumination. G.Skill offers two alternatives for RGB customization and control: its dedicated Trident Z Lighting Control software or seamless integration with your motherboard's native RGB software. Choose the latter route, and you'll find the Trident Z5 Neo RGB fits in nicely with all the major platforms, including Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

At the heart of this kit are two 64GB DDR5 memory modules, each with a dual-rank design, which is essential for achieving this level of capacity. Each memory module houses 16 individual integrated circuits (ICs), with eight soldered chips on each side of the black PCB. Each of these ICs contributes 4GB of capacity. Surprisingly, G.Skill utilizes Samsung K4RBH086VM-BCWM (M-die) ICs for this particular in lieu of SK hynix's M-die. Meanwhile, the company has entrusted power distribution to Richtek, which supplies power management IC (PMIC) bearing the "0P=CF MY2" marking.

In its default stock configuration, the memory modules operate at DDR5-5600 with relaxed 46-45-45-90 timings to ensure maximum compatibility across a wide range of system configurations. G.Skill includes only a single overclocking profile, conveniently available in both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO formats. When you enable the DDR5-6000 profile through your motherboard’s BIOS, the memory kit will automatically reconfigure itself to run at the higher frequency with tightened 34-44-44-96 timings and adjust the DRAM voltage to 1.35V. For additional details on timings and frequency choices, refer to our PC Memory 101 feature and the How to Shop for RAM article.

Comparison Hardware

The Intel system features the Core Ultra 9 285K processor and the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X motherboard with firmware version 7E20v1A60. Conversely, the AMD system utilizes the Ryzen 9 9900X processor and the MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard with firmware version 7E49v1A64. The Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX LCD CPU liquid-cooling solution efficiently maintains optimal temperatures for both the Arrow Lake and Zen 5 processors, ensuring efficient thermal management across platforms.

The MSI GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Gaming X Trio efficiently handles demanding graphics workloads, preventing any bottlenecks during our gaming RAM benchmarks. The TeamGroup A440 Lite PCIe 4.0 SSD balances performance and capacity, delivering 2TB of ultra-fast storage with speeds up to 7,400 MB/s—perfect for Windows 11 24H2 installations, benchmarking software, and gaming applications.

The Corsair RM1000x Shift ATX 3.0 power supply delivers reliable and ample power to our test systems, directly supporting the GeForce RTX 4080 via its native 16-pin (12VHPWR) cable. The Streacom BC1 open-air test bench offers flexible, tool-free accommodation for all hardware components, streamlining assembly and component swaps.

Intel Performance

Thanks to its higher data rate and optimized timings, the Manta XFinity memory kit outperformed the Trident Z5 Neo in the majority of the scenarios. However, the Trident Z5 Neo edged ahead in the Adobe Lightroom benchmark. It shows that performance can vary depending on the workload.

AMD Performance

On the AMD platform, the Ryzen processor’s integrated memory controller (IMC) determines whether the unified memory controller clock (UCLK) and memory clock (MEMCLK) can run in a 1:1 ratio with memory above DDR5-6000. With our Ryzen 9 9900X, DDR5-6400 forces a 2:1 ratio, which imposes a performance penalty on the Manta XFinity. That's the reason why the Trident Z5 Neo came out on top.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

Sometimes you already know how an overclock will likely turn out, but it’s still fun to push memory beyond the manufacturer’s specifications.

On this occasion, we overclocked the memory from DDR5-6000 to DDR5-6333 while maintaining the memory timings at 34-44-44-96, with DRAM voltage increased from 1.35V to 1.45V. It just goes to show that high-capacity memory modules are difficult to overclock, even when applying substantial voltage.

Lowest Stable Timings

The CAS Latency (CL) was unlikely to cooperate since G.Skill probably binned it to the limit. The other timings, however, responded well with 1.45V applied. We managed to decrease the tRCD and tRP by four clock cycles and the tRAS by 12 clock cycles, a solid result overall.

Bottom Line

From a compatibility standpoint, DDR5-6000 is more likely to run perfectly on AMD’s platform without any performance penalty than DDR5-6400. That’s why many budget-conscious buyers choose DDR5-6000, and it’s where the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C34 excels. G.Skill’s memory kit delivers the complete package: beautiful aesthetics, good performance, and more than generous capacity. It’s just a victim of the unfortunate circumstances of a global memory shortage that is pushing up pricing.

The Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C34 launched with a $419.99 MSRP just a couple of months ago. Fast forward to today, in the middle of a global DRAM shortage, and the price tag has skyrocketed to $1,599.99. On the bright side, Newegg generously includes a $50 Starbucks gift card so you can “drink coffee while you game.” Jokes aside, the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C34 is an excellent memory kit that’s worth every dollar once pricing stabilizes.

The ongoing memory crisis is expected to get worse next year, thus opting for a bundle is a smart move to avoid paying an excessive amount for a new RAM kit. We’ve recently covered several RAM bundle deals, and if you don’t mind an older platform, Newegg has a solid offer that includes a B550 motherboard, 32GB of DDR4 memory, a 360mm AIO cooler, and a mid-tower PC case, all for $299.90.

• Check out this deal on Newegg

The combo deal includes the ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4/ac motherboard, now priced at $79.99, down from its original $124.99. The rest of the bundle consists of a G.Skill Ripjaws 32GB DDR4-3200 RAM kit which goes for $189.99 separately, the Montech HS01 Pro case at $89.90, and the Montech HyperFlow Silent 360 AIO liquid cooler for $71.90. Altogether, the bundle, before discount, totals $431.78. But the combo deal price of $299.90 saves you 30%, or $131.88, compared to buying each component separately. This bundle can potentially serve as a strong foundation for a Ryzen 5000-based build, say like the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which remains a solid and capable processor for modern gaming.

The ASRock B550 Phantom Gaming 4/ac is a full-size ATX motherboard offering all the basics including support for up to DDR4-4733+ (OC) memory, a PCIe Gen 4 M.2 SSD slot, plenty of USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, gigabit LAN, and Wi-Fi with Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The G.Skill Ripjaws V-Series DDR- 3200 (PC4 25600) memory offers a CAS Latency of CL16 (timings of 16-18-18-38), with a voltage of 1.35V.

As for the case, the Montech HS01 Pro supports back-connect motherboards with a top-down reversible layout, allowing the entire setup to be positioned either the left or right side. With support for up to 11x120mm fans, the case comes with five preinstalled ARGB PWM fans. The case has been designed with bottom air intake and top exhaust to create a natural chimney effect for efficient heat dissipation. As for the cooler, the Montech HyperFlow Silent 360 features a standard 360mm radiator with three Metal Pro 12 Silent fans (24.8dBA) and a clean black finish, pre-applied thermal paste and a 6-year warranty with built-in leakage protection.

Such bundle deals are available for a limited period or until stocks last, hence it is best to grab them quickly.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard, or CPU Deals pages.

The RAM-pocalypse is still very much in full swing, with RAM prices continuing to rise daily, and supplies running low, as cheaper kits get snapped up by either enthusiasts or scalpers. There are already lots of eye-watering prices on listings from retailers like Amazon and Newegg, and eBay brings up some even more ludicrous entries. We've covered quite a few bundled deals since before Black Friday, and that continues to be the trend for finding some of the best deals on RAM. Much like today's combo deal from Newegg that pairs an Asus Tuf Gaming B550 Plus Wifi II motherboard with 32GB (2x16GB) of G.Skill Ripjaws V Series DDR4-3200 memory for $199.98.

• Grab this deal at Newegg

With today's combo deal, you're saving $110, rather than buying them both separately. On their own, the Asus motherboard is listed at $119.99 on sale from $149.99, and the G.Kill Ripjaws RAM kit is $189.99. But, as a bonus, you're also getting the free gift of a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3 CPU air cooler worth $25.85 (until stocks last, or the offer expires). This is a great start for a budget gaming PC build, and you could pair this with a 5000-series AMD Ryzen CPU, and toss in a GPU to make up the core of a new build.

Although AM4 is an older platform that has been around for many years, it's still very capable and will run pretty much all modern games with a decent graphics card. CPUs like the 5800X3D and 5700X3D are still extremely potent, and if you can't get your hands on one of the X3D models, then a normal 5700X/5800X also does a very good job. Check our CPU hierarchy and look at reviews for 5000-series CPUs to pair with this bundle.

G.Skill's Ripjaws V-Series memory is DDR4 3200MHz (PC4 25600) with timings of 16-18-18-38, and a CAS Latency of CL16, with a voltage of 1.35V. The Asus Tuf Gaming Plus WiFi II motherboard has an AM4 socket and supports 3000, 4000, and 5000-series CPUs. The board features dual M.2 slots, the primary one with PCIe 4.0 x4 connectivity. There is a front panel USB 3.2 Gen 1 connection, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C and Type-A ports on the IO plate, and also a Thunderbolt 3 header. Connect to the internet via WiFi 6 (802.11ax), or fast 2.5Gb LAN port. This memory bundle might not package up the latest and greatest parts, but it's a solid offer, given what we've seen out there on the market currently.

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The race for the DDR5 overclocking crown has a new frontrunner, and it’s a name fans will recognize. French overclocker, Bl4ckdot, has returned to the top of the memory frequency Hall of Fame, setting a new DDR5 overclocking world record at an eye-watering 12,872 MT/s. The record was achieved using G.Skill’s Trident Z5 DDR5 memory modules built with SK Hynix ICs, cooled with liquid nitrogen. They were running on the ASUS ROG Maximus Z890 Apex motherboard with Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K processor.

It’s a platform combination we’ve seen used before in elite-level memory records, but few have pushed it this far. This latest milestone translates to a real frequency of 6431.1MHz, with memory timings at CL68-127-127-127-2—settings that would make most systems cry uncle under normal cooling. The result has already been validated on CPU-Z and confirmed on HWBOT, where bl4ckdot now leads the global rankings. Funny enough, he doesn’t even crack the top three highest frequency records on the Core Ultra 9 285K according to CPU-Z. Still, his validated run offers some intriguing insights into the configuration behind the DDR5 speed milestone.

As seen in the screenshot above, the record was achieved using a single-channel configuration with a 24GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-5600 module, overclocked to an effective data rate of 12,872 MT/s (6436.1 MHz real clock) with a memory ratio of 3:188. The module ran at extremely loose primary timings, which is typical in extreme LN2 sessions to stabilize high-frequency targets. Interestingly, the part number (F5-8000J3848F24G) suggests it's one of G.Skill’s premium XMP 3.0-certified 8000 MT/s SK hynix-based kits, confirming the use of top-tier ICs and a high-binned PCB for better signal integrity under sub-zero conditions.

This record unseats previous champion saltycroissant, who had held the top spot for over a month—a rare feat in this hyper-competitive space where records are often broken within weeks, if not days. Saltycroissant had previously pushed DDR5 to 12,832 MT/s using Corsair modules, a figure that held strong through June before being overtaken. The third place still belongs to Seby, another regular in high-speed memory circles, followed closely by Hicookie.

G.Skill didn’t waste time celebrating, sharing the achievement on social media, and framing it as further proof of the Trident Z5’s place at the cutting edge of memory performance. Two years ago, the company had just cracked 11,000MT/s, highlighting how the finish line keeps distancing itself in a snail race, when it comes to memory. For enthusiasts watching from the sidelines, it’s another reminder that DDR5 still has serious room to grow when placed in the right hands... and under the right amount of LN2.

Memory manufacturer G.Skill just announced two new high-capacity memory modules overclocked to DDR5-6000 CL32 and DDR5-6400 CL36. Previously, high-performance memory kits were limited to smaller modules. For example, DDR5-6400 is limited to 48GB per module, while the current fastest commercially available memory kit, the Adata XPG Lancer DDR5-9200, is only available in 24GB module configurations. That’s because larger capacities at these speeds often come with instability; that’s why ultra-fast memory is frequently smaller than other available options. This seems to have been fixed, though, with G.Skill’s announcement. The company is now offering memory kits that have 64GB modules, allowing you to install 256GB of DDR5-6000 CL32 or 128GB of DDR5-6400 CL36 in your system.

The DDR5-6000 CL32-44-44-96 256GB (64GBx4) kit uses AMD EXPO, allowing it to be optimized for Ryzen 7000 and newer platforms, while the DDR5-6400 CL36-44-44-102 128GB (64GBx2) kit is designed with Intel XMP 3.0 overclocking for those who prefer Team Blue processors. So, whichever CPU you have on your system, G.Skill will give you an option to get the best of both worlds — massive capacity and excellent performance. These kits will compete against the best RAM for gaming, making it easier to run expansive worlds and more on your PC. Professionals will also appreciate the extra high-speed capacity, making it easier to build workstations designed for content creation, AI processing, and other data-intensive applications.

These aren’t as fast as the overclocking records we’ve seen, like the Trident Z5 DDR5-8000 pushed by Canadian overclocker “saltycroissant” to DDR5-12054. However, it will let you have excellent performance straight out of the box — no need to tinker with voltage settings and whatnot. The new modules are available on the Trident Z5 RGB, Trident Z5 Neo RGB, and Flare X5 series of memory sticks. Unfortunately, the company hasn’t announced pricing for these modules yet, but we expect them to appear shortly on store shelves and online retailers. We expect these to be priced at a premium, though.

You also don’t have to worry about compatibility, as these chips will typically work with modern motherboards that support DDR5 and 64GB modules. If you have that, G.Skill says that you just need to update your BIOS, and you should be able to enjoy these larger, faster memory sticks.

High-performance memory maker G.Skill just announced that it has hit an overclocking milestone with CAMM2. This new memory standard is designed to replace the SO-DIMM and UDIMM formats we’re used to with a thinner and faster substitute, with the first modules hitting the market around mid-2024. The company said that it hit the DDR5-10000 Memtest-stable memory speed milestone using a 64GB CAMM2 memory module on a custom Asus ROG Maximus Z890 Hero CAMM2 motherboard paired with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU.

This is a significant improvement over the official JEDEC specification for DDR5, which has speeds ranging from 4800 to 8800 MT/s. The current memory record is held by Canadian overclocker saltycroissant, who hit an eye-popping DDR5-12054 using G.Skill Trident ZS DDR5-8000 48GB (2x24GB) CL38 memory and purely air cooling. While the DDR5-10000 record achieved with CAMM2 memory modules isn’t there yet, it can potentially break that record because it was specifically designed to operate faster than the widely available SO-DIMM sticks in the market.

Despite its advantages, you’d be hard-pressed to find CAMM2 modules and motherboards on the market. Although manufacturers like G.Skill, TeamGroup, and Kingston have all shown off CAMM2 memory modules at Computex 2025, they’re still not readily available at retailers. Crucial is the only one that sells CAMM2 kits — specifically, LPCAMM2 LPDDR5X-7500 memory in 32GB and 64GB capacities. Aside from that, PC makers also haven’t released CAMM2 versions of their motherboards. So, even if you want to be on the cutting edge of tech and use CAMM2 memory for your latest build, that’s just not going to happen, at least today.

Multiple manufacturers of enthusiast-grade DRAM modules demonstrated compression-attached memory CAMM2 modules at Computex 2025, indicating their interest in this form factor. However, none of the manufacturers are confident that these DDR5 modules will hit the market as they are unsure when motherboard makers will release suitable platforms.

We saw CAMM2 memory modules from G.Skill, Kingston, and TeamGroup at the trade show in Taipei, Taiwan. Modules from G.Skill and TeamGroup come with elevated data transfer rates (DDR5-10,000 and DDR5-8000, respectively). Additionally, TeamGroup equipped its CAMM2 module with heat spreaders and addressable RGB LEDs, indicating that they are aimed at enthusiasts. G.Skill even demonstrated an overclocked version of its DDR5-10,000 CAMM2 module with shrunk timings.

Kingston demonstrated two versions of its enthusiast-grade Fury-branded CAMM2 modules (just like G.Skill) but did not publish the speed bins it plans to support. Additionally, while Kingston partnered with Gigabyte's Aorus for the Z890 Aorus Tachyon Ice CAMM2 motherboard, its advertising materials state that its Fury Impact DDR5 CAMM2 modules are "ideal for notebook and mobile workstation users."

However, demonstrations of compression attached memory modules at Computex were not limited to CAMM2. SK hynix demonstrated its LPDDR5X-based SOCAMM2 modules as well, though this form-factor is for now specific to Nvidia's Grace Blackwell platforms. Several makers of modules — including Micron and SK hynix's affiliate Klevv — also showcased LPCAMM2 modules mainly aimed at compact and mobile systems, which highlights that the form-factor is gradually becoming more widespread, and these makers envision aftermarket demand for them.

G.Skill has launched the Trident Z5 CK series CUDIMM RAM, which is rated for DDR5-9600 straight out of the box. The company made these memory components specifically for the upcoming Intel Core Ultra 200 and Z890 motherboards, allowing users to enjoy faster transfer speeds without needing to tinker with the advanced BIOS settings of their system if they have a compatible motherboard.

However, you'll need a compatible motherboard that supports Intel’s XMP 3.0 to enjoy the Trident Z5 CK’s DDR5-9600 speeds. Furthermore, it doesn’t have support for AMD EXPO yet, so we don’t recommend getting it if you’re building a Ryzen 9000-series rig. Nevertheless, if you know how to make serious tweaks like custom voltage settings and advanced memory timing on a Z890 motherboard like the ASUS ROG Maximum Z890 or the ASRock Z890 Taichi OCF, you could potentially hit DDR5-10000 in dual-channel mode on air cooling alone.

The Trident Z5 CK is currently only available in 48GB capacity (two 24GB sticks) and is already listed on Newegg for $399.99 for the RGB and $389.99 for the non-RGB variant. Aside from G.Skill, other manufacturers that have also introduced DD5-9600 memory modules include Asgard and TeamGroup, giving users more options to choose from when building overclocked rigs.

Although the Trident Z5 CK’s blistering DDR5-9600 rating is designed for the Intel Core Ultra 200S on Z890 motherboards, you could only expect to get that kind of speed on motherboards that support it. That’s because Arrow Lake chips only support DD5-6400 when running a stock performance profile with CUDIMM memory. If you use standard DIMMs, the supported rate drops to DDR5-5600.

Nevertheless, DDR5-9600 CUDIMM sticks are options if you want to maximize the performance of Intel’s latest processors. So, if you're looking to future-proof your current PC build, one option is to spend extra to get these high-performance memory modules. Still, we recommend holding off on purchasing newly launched PC equipment, even if it's from established manufacturers until reviewers have put them through the wringer.

This week, two memory makers — G.Skill and v-color — formally announced their quad-channel memory module kits for AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series processors. The new ECC-enabled RDIMM kits with AMD EXPO profiles are factory-overclocked and top at 6400 MT/s and 7200 MT/s speed bins. But apparently, there are more advanced memory modules (up to 7800 MT/s) for Threadrippers coming from more companies, according to a Gigabyte listing. 

In addition to G.Skill and v-color, Kingston is prepping its quad-channel 64GB and 32GB kits rated for DDR5-6000 CL32 at 1.35V and DDR5-6400 CL32 1.4V speed bins for AMD's latest Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series platform that targets both enthusiasts with deep pockets as well as professional-grade workstations. Gigabyte lists these modules alongside its TRX50 platform, so the company primarily positions its kits for the enthusiast-grade quad-channel Ryzen Threadripper 7000 builds. 

Perhaps more interesting is that v-color is prepping a lineup of ultra-fast ECC-enabled quad-channel RDIMMs for AMD's latest Threadrippers with ECC profiles. For those who are fine with moderate performance and stock speeds, v-color will offer DDR5-4800 and DDR5-5200 kits. But for more extreme enthusiasts who want to get every last bit of performance from their TRX50 rigs with Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series CPUs, v-color will offer kits rated for up to DDR5-7800. To provide some context, a quad-channel DDR5-7800 memory subsystem provides a memory bandwidth of 249.6 GB/s. 

Upcoming Memory Modules for AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7000-Series CPUs

It is noteworthy that G.Skill, which specializes in high-performance memory modules, tops its overclockable RDIMM offerings with AMD EXPO aimed at Ryzen Threadripper 7000-based systems at 6400 MT/s and equips them with label heat spreaders. 

By contrast, v-color goes above and beyond with 7200 MT/s, 7600 MT/s, and 7800 MT/s. To ensure that its modules do not overheat, it equips them with rather serious heat spreaders akin to those used on some server-grade RDIMMs.

When it comes to pricing, factory-overclocked RDIMMs are certainly considerably more expensive than regular performance-enhanced memory modules. G.Skill's Zeta R5 Neo 64 GB kit costs $530, whereas the 128GB kit is priced at $1,070.

G.Skill has introduced its first overclockable ECC memory modules, the Zeta R5 Neo, for AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series processors. The new memory kits are available in quad-channel configurations and can be used for WRX90 and TRX50 platforms designed for workstations and high-end desktops.

The Zeta R5 Neo product lineup includes two DDR5-6400 CL32-39-39-102 products: a quad-channel 64 GB kit comprising of four 16 GB R-DIMMs and a quad-channel 128 GB kit consisting of four 32 GB R-DIMM modules. For TRX50, only one kit is needed, whereas WRX90 will require two quad-channel kits. All modules support AMD's EXPO profiles for easier setup and a simplistic heat spreader.

G.Skill says that just like other high-end memory modules, its Zeta R5 Neo RDIMMs are based on cherry-picked memory ICs, so they are generally designed to be overclocked. However, nobody knows how fast can they go since it depends on many factors.

Being aimed at both enthusiasts with very deep pockets and professionals, AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series processors use registered memory modules with ECC to ensure the utmost reliability of machines with 1TB or more of DRAM. To that end, memory module suppliers are rolling out enthusiast-grade memory modules with ECC tailored specifically for AMD's latest Threadripper processors.

G.Skill says its Zeta R5 Neo memory kits for AMD's Ryzen Threadripper 7000-series processors will be available this month.

We put the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 48GB kit through the paces in our test suite and found it to be a strong contender for our list of best RAM. You've probably heard the terms "non-standard" or "non-binary" associated with some of the new DDR5 memory kits. This signifies that the kit's capacity doesn't conform to the standard capacities that we've been accustomed to. Memory integrated circuit (IC) capacity has typically come in a power of two formats because DRAM vendors previously used 8Gb (1GB), 16Gb (2GB), and 32Gb (4GB) chips for their DDR4 memory kits. However, the introduction of DDR5 memory has changed the game. DDR5 brought the debut of non-power-of-two ICs, commonly called non-binary, in the form of 24Gb (3GB) dies. 

Chipmakers have made significant progress in manufacturing processes to increase IC capacity. The latest 24Gb dies slot between the existing 16Gb and 32Gb ICs, allowing vendors to offer a density that was previously unavailable on the market. As a result, we're now seeing 24GB memory modules, the halfway point between 16GB and 32GB, and 48GB memory modules with 50% more density than 32GB DIMMs. Non-binary memory has opened the doors for the best RAM to arrive in 2 x 24GB, 2 x 48GB, 4 x 24GB, and 4 x 48GB configurations.

The Trident Z5 RGB design will look very familiar to avid G.Skill fans. It still retains the fin-inspired aluminum heat spreader. This memory kit, in particular, comes with a matte black theme. The brand typically offers the Trident Z5 RGB in a metallic silver option, but it depends on the SKU. A brushed aluminum strip with a slightly reflective finish and the Trident Z5 RGB logo decorates the middle of the memory modules. As we've seen with previous Trident Z5 memory kits, the memory modules retain a height of 42mm (1.65 inches) and, in most cases, are short enough to fit underneath CPU air coolers.

RGB lighting is a standard nowadays on high-performance gaming memory, and the Trident Z5 RGB has plenty of it. The RGB light bar on top of the memory modules accentuates the aggressive design. The Trident Z Lighting Control software is included for customizing the illumination, or you can use your motherboard software, including Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome.

Featuring a single-rank design, each memory module is 24GB in capacity. There are eight SK hynix H5CGD8MHBDX021 ICs, each with 3GB of density, under the Trident Z5 RGB's heat spreader. G.Skill doesn't have a preferred power management ICs (PMICs) provider for the brand's DDR5 products. For this particular memory kit, the company procured the APW8502C-AZ14Y from ANPEC.

Like other high-speed memory kits, the Trident Z5 RGB runs at DDR5-5600 and 46-45-45-90 timings when you first take it for a ride. It's rare for G.Skill to implement more than an XMP 3.0 profile on its memory. The only profile on the Trident Z5 RGB corresponds to the advertised specifications, which is DDR5-7200 with 36-46-46-115 timings at 1.35V. See our PC Memory 101 feature and How to Shop for RAM story for more timings and frequency considerations.

Comparison Hardware

The Intel system runs the Core i9-13900K on the MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X with the 7D28vAA firmware. In contrast, the AMD system pairs the Ryzen 7 7700X with the MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi changed to the 7D70v176 firmware. The Corsair CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler keeps our Raptor Lake and Zen 4 processor operating temperatures under check.

The MSI GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Gaming X Trio tackles the more graphics-intensive workloads, ensuring that there isn't a graphics bottleneck in our gaming RAM benchmarks. The Windows 11 installation, benchmarking software, and games reside on Crucial's MX500 SSDs. Meanwhile, the Corsair RM1000x Shift ATX 3.0 power supply provides our systems with clean and abundant power, directly feeding the GeForce RTX 4080 with a native 16-pin (12VHPWR) power cable. Lastly, the Streacom BC1 open-air test bench is vital to organizing our hardware.

Intel Performance

The memory kit checks in at DDR5-7200 with decent timings; therefore, it's pretty fast coming out of the box. The extra capacity gave it an edge over the 32GB (2x16GB) memory in workloads the benefit of higher capacity. For example, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 outperformed the second-fastest memory kit by 9.6% in Adobe Premiere.

It would be a more fair comparison to pitch G.Skill's memory kit against competitors with similar density; however, it's the first and only non-binary memory kit in the lab, so this imperfect comparison will have to do for now.

AMD Performance

We didn't benchmark this kit on our Ryzen 7000 test platform because it can't reach the peak speeds needed to unlock the best performance from this kit, and it wouldn't make sense to purchase this kit to use it at the standard DDR5-5600 transfer rate.

The current state of the AGESA code and silicon limitations put AMD's Ryzen 7000 processors at a disadvantage regarding memory support. However, the good samples with a powerful IMC (integrated memory controller) typically support DDR5-6400 to DDR5-6600 memory.

For our particular Ryzen 7 7700X, DDR5-6400 is the ceiling, so DDR5-7200 is beyond the bounds of possibility.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 exhibited similar overclocking margins as the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34, so the higher density didn't impact overclocking potential. The memory modules achieved DDR5-7600 with timings and DRAM voltage configured to 36-46-46-115 and 1.45V, respectively.

Lowest Stable Timings

The memory kit fell a bit behind when it came to optimization. With the DDR5-7200 C34 variant, we got the timings down to 34-41-41-81 at 1.45V, whereas the DDR5-7200 C36 was at hairline instability with 34-42-42-84. Although the ICs are from the same brand, the memory kits use different models, hence the minor variation is normal.

Bottom Line

The specifications for the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 are enough to tell you that it's a high-performance memory kit by nature. G.Skill binned the memory modules at a high frequency with good timings. Unfortunately, this action practically dismissed AMD's Zen 4 platform, which struggles with memory kits above DDR5-6600.

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36's timings aren't the tightest in the category but are above standard. Then, there's the added value of using SK hynix ICs that enables the memory kit to hit even greater frequencies if you're into overclocking. However, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36's primary strength is its capacity.

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 48GB (2x24GB) is available for $239.99, which works out to $5 per GB. The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 32GB (2x16GB) retails for $165.99, around $5.19 per GB. Therefore, the 48GB memory kit offers slightly better value for your money, assuming you're on the market for that capacity.

No vendor has launched a DDR5-7200 64GB (2x32GB) memory kit thus far, so a pricing comparison is currently unavailable. There aren't many DDR5-7200 48GB memory kits on the market, so G.Skill has the early bird advantage. Besides G.Skill, TeamGroup has a competing memory kit with better timings, but it hasn't hit the retail market yet.

• MORE: Best RAM
• MORE: DDR DRAM FAQs And Troubleshooting Guide
• MORE: All Memory Content

G.Skill is working on non-binary 24GB DDR5 memory modules with EXPO profiles for AMD's Ryzen 7000-series processors, according to pictures of these DIMMs published by renowned hardware leaker MEGAsizeGPU. These Trident Z5 modules will be rated for a 6000 MT/s data transfer rate, a sweet spot for AMD's AM5 CPUs.

G.Skill's 24GB Trident Z5 modules currently tested by various parties are rated for DDR5-6000 operation with CL40 48-48-96 latency settings at 1.35V. The modules will feature AMD EXPO profiles that simplify their settings on AMD AM5 systems. In addition, this means that they are thoroughly tested and fully compatible with AMD's Ryzen 7000-series processors based on the Zen 4 microarchitecture.

Based on images published by @Zed_Wang, G.Skill's 24GB Trident Z modules (F5-6000J4048F24GX2-TZ5NR) can work and boot Windows in DDR5-6000 mode. Meanwhile, CPU-Z identifies the DRAM maker as SpecTek, a Micron subsidiary, so it looks like the memory sticks use 24Gb chips from Micron. 

The modules are shipped in pairs, so it is more than reasonable to assume they will be commercially available in matched 48GB dual-channel kits. While we do not know their pricing, we are sure that they will sit between 32GB and 64GB kits and be priced accordingly. 

When memory module makers started to ship their DDR5 DIMMs based on 24Gb DRAM ICs several months ago, those modules featured Intel's XMP profiles and worked fine on Intel-based machines. Meanwhile, motherboard makers had to ensure their proper support on AMD Ryzen 7000-based systems.

So far, no memory module maker has offered non-binary modules (e.g., 24GB, 48GB, 96GB) with AMD EXPO support, so G.Skill will likely be the first company to do so.

Seby9123, one of the world's top professional overclockers, set a new DDR5 SDRAM data transfer record of 11,240 MT/s at G.Skill's overlocking competition at Computex last week. Using premium hardware, liquid nitrogen, and a lot of magic, he has managed to increase the stock speed of G.Skill's DDR5-7800 module by 44%.

The new world record of 11,240 MT/s set by Seby9123 is just slightly higher than the second-highest result of 11,233 MT/s set by Hicookie on the same day. Meanwhile, the third highest result is noticeably higher than 11,130 MT/s set by lupin_no_museme back in October 2022, so the progress made in a few months by DDR5 is more or less obvious.

To set his memory overclocking record, Seby9123 used Asustek's ROG Maximus X790 Apex motherboard, Intel's Core i9-13900KS processor with only two cores enabled (albeit working at 5.0 GHz), a lot of liquid nitrogen, and a 16 GB G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DR5-7800 memory module in a single-channel mode. The actual frequency was 5620.1 MHz, and timings were set to CL62 126-126-127-127-2. 

Unfortunately, there is no word about DRAM voltage for the memory, but we suspect it is even higher than 1.45V, which is already over 30% higher compared to the standard DDR5 voltage set by JEDEC.

In addition to setting the DDR5 speed record, the world's top extreme overclockers assembled by G.Skill at its contest set several other overclocking records at Computex.

G.Skill has announced many new DDR5 memory kits to rival the best RAM. But even more interesting is a custom pyramid PC running on liquid nitrogen that’s present to brag about the company’s overclocking feats.

Computex 2023 isn't just a place to exhibit new products. Some vendors, such as G.Skill, are heavily invested in the event and hold mod contests and overclocking competitions. At its booth, the company showed off a transparent pyramid-shaped system that's the product of its collaboration with Intel, Asus, and Elmorlabs. It's designed to demonstrate the prowess of Intel’s latest 13th Generation Raptor Lake processors, Z790 platform, and DDR5 memory.

The build features a Core i9-13900K, an Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboard, and a single Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-8000 memory module. Feeding off liquid nitrogen, the Core i9-13900K was running at 7 GHz, while the DDR5-8000 memory module hit 10,000 MT/s. Unfortunately, the current world record is 11,201 MT/s, so G.Skill didn’t shatter any world records on this occasion. Nonetheless, it was still an impressive show of overclocking prowess by the overclocking team.

Similar to what the company did with its DDR4 lineup, G.Skill has given the Trident Z5 the royal treatment. The new Trident Z5 Royal Elite series features a lavish-looking heat spreader with crystal and pyramid patterns. In addition, the memory looks worthy of a king. 

Meanwhile, the Trident Z5 Royal series sticks to the vanilla design but has a mirror-liked finish. The Trident Z5 Royal Elite and Trident Z5 Royal lineups will be available in gold or silver trim. G.Skill didn't reveal any specifications but told us that the new DDR5 memory kits would hit the retail market in the third quarter of this year.

G.Skill also expanded some of the brand's existing DDR5 memory portfolios with new color themes. The Trident Z5 RGB was previously limited to a metallic silver or matte black heat spreader. G.Skill showed off two new options: silver or gold heat spreader with a shiny and reflective surface. Meanwhile, the Trident Z5 Neo RGB, which caters to AMD platforms, will debut in white color.

There were many high-end DDR5 memory kits on display. Some of the more notable offerings include a DDR5-8800 and a DDR5-8000 with a capacity of 48GB (2x24GB) memory kit and a CAS Latency (CL) of 40.

G.Skill has been expanding to new horizons over the last couple of years. At this year's event, the company demoed the MD1, a spacious mid-tower case that can house graphics cards up to 40cm, CPU air coolers up to 17cm, and up to two 360mm radiators. The motherboard support list includes form factors spanning from mini-ITX up to E-ATX. In addition, the MD1 case features a mesh front panel for improved airflow and a tempered glass side panel to display your hardware.

Regarding AIO liquid coolers, G. Skill had a few at the booth. The 360mm are as eye-catching as the brand's Trident Z5 Royal Elite with vibrant RGB illumination and crystals. Unfortunately, it would seem that the AIO liquid coolers don't have an official name yet, but one of the cooling fans has a sticker with the "G.Skill Royal Wind" moniker. So it's uncertain if that's the name of the AIO or just the cooling fan. The AIO liquid cooler will launch in the third quarter in white and black flavors.

Maybe one of the most intriguing products we saw at the G.Skill booth is the WigiDash, a seven-inch touch display connecting to your system via a USB-C port. The display lets you monitor your system's vitals. The WigiDash definitely has an Android vibe to it. G.Skill has developed different widgets supporting a comprehensive list of applications, including HWiNFO, AIDA64, Spotify, Twitch, etc.

G.Skill has one of the most diverse product portfolios for enthusiasts, and the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6800 C34 memory kit is a tempting proposition that comes along at one of the best times to buy DRAM in recent memory. DRAM pricing has plummeted as much as 20% in the first quarter of the year and will keep falling as we enter the second quarter. As a result, the best RAM should become a bit cheaper in the upcoming. DDR5 adoption won't happen overnight, but the lower pricing will help ease the transition. Unlike when DDR5 first launched, there are now more options on the market. G.Skill has one of the most diverse product portfolios for enthusiasts.

The Trident Z5 RGB lineup, which serves Intel processors, comprises many premium memory kits. The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6800 C34 memory kit may be an option for consumers to explore if they want something faster than the default DDR5-4800 memory but don't want to cross the DDR5-7000 mark. Like other performance memory kits, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6800 C34 arrives with XMP 3.0 support.

The Trident Z5 RGB has a wing-like or fin-like design, depending on how you want to look at it. It has become a somewhat icon of the series. The aesthetics of the aluminum heat spreader varies according to the variant you choose. The review sample features a matte black exterior with a brushed aluminum strip in the middle to highlight the Trident Z5 RGB logo. While G.Skill has refreshed the design several times over the last few years, the vendor has consistently kept the memory at a reasonable height. At 42mm (1.65 inches), the memory isn't picky about clearance space. However, if your CPU cooler is greedy on spacing, you should probably double-check.

The Trident Z5 RGB is an enthusiast product with the word "RGB" in its name, so logically, it rocks RGB lighting. The RGB light bar is wedged between the heat spreader's two sides. You can tweak the illumination with the Trident Z Lighting Control program or your motherboard's software. The memory's compatibility encompasses Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync so that you can synchronize the Trident Z RGB's lighting with other components inside your system.

Once the heat spreader is off, you can see that G.Skill's utilizing SK hynix's H5CG48AGBDX018 (A-die) ICs for this particular DDR5-6800 memory kit. Each memory module is 16GB in capacity; therefore, it contains eight 2GB A-die ICs in a single-sided setup. G.Skill prefers Richtek power management ICs (PMICs), and it shows with the Trident Z5 RGB memory kits. The memory modules from this kit have the 0D=9D T1R unit. 

When you first take the memory out of the packaging, it'll run at DDR5-4800 with the default timings set to 40-40-40-77. G.Skill typically doesn't equip more than one XMP 3.0 profile with its performance memory. So the only profile on the memory module sets the data rate to DDR5-6800, the timings to 34-45-45-108 timings, and the DRAM voltage to 1.4V. See our PC Memory 101 feature and How to Shop for RAM story for more timings and frequency considerations.

Comparison Hardware

Our Intel test system revolves around Intel's Core i9-13900K processor and MSI's MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard, running the 7D28vA8 firmware. In contrast, the AMD testbed leverages the Ryzen 7 7700X and ASRock X670E Taichi currently on the 1.11.AS06 firmware.

Corsair's CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler keeps the Raptor Lake and Zen 4 processor temperatures in line. In addition, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio tackles our gaming RAM benchmarks.

Our Windows 11 installation, benchmarking software, and games reside on Crucial's MX500 SSDs, whereas the Corsair RM650x power supply feeds our system with the necessary power. Lastly, the Streacom BC1 open bench table ensures that our hardware is well-kept and tidy.

Intel Performance

The Trident Z5 RGB memory kit didn't perform as well as we thought. It fell behind competitors like the Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 C32 and G.Skill's own Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32. The memory had no outstanding performance in any particular benchmark, either.

AMD Performance

The current state of the AGESA code and silicon limitations put AMD's Ryzen 7000 processors at a disadvantage regarding memory support. However, the good samples with a powerful IMC (integrated memory controller) typically support DDR5-6400 to DDR5-6600 memory.

For our particular Ryzen 7 7700X, DDR5-6400 is the ceiling, so DDR5-6800 is beyond the bounds of possibility.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

Most of the high-frequency memory kits lack overclocking headroom. Therefore, the Trident Z5 RGB memory maxing out at DDR5-7000 was well within our expectations. We didn't even have to tweak the memory timing. Adding an extra 0.05V to the DRAM voltage was all that was needed.

Lowest Stable Timings

We had better results at DDR5-6800, for sure. However, with 1.45V set inside the BIOS, we got the memory kit down to 32-42-42-96 without a problem.

Bottom Line

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6800 C34 packs all the attributes of an enthusiast DDR5 memory kit. But, unfortunately, its performance holds it back, and it was surprising to discover that it got outperformed by the Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 C32 and Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 memory kits that are slower on paper. Surely a bit of manual overclocking can help push the DDR5-6800 memory kit in the right direction. Still, not everyone is into overclocking, nor can the brand guarantee that every sample will have excellent overclocking headroom.

G.Skill prices the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6800 C34 at $169.99, but it isn't easy to warrant a purchase when the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 offers better performance at just $139.99. The Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 C32 is also faster but sells for $199.99, so it's out of the discussion for now. However, DRAM pricing is exhibiting a downward trend; therefore, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6800 C34 may look more attractive in the not-so-distant future if G.Skill ends up adjusting its pricing.

• MORE: Best RAM
• MORE: DDR DRAM FAQs And Troubleshooting Guide
• MORE: All Memory Content

Today we're putting the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 memory kit to the test to see how it stacks up against the best RAM on the market. During the early days of DDR5, memory vendors didn't have a wide selection of dies for their memory kits. As a result, the first DDR5 products used SK hynix's M-die, Samsung's B-die, or Micron's M-die integrated circuits (ICs). No two dies are manufactured equally. It didn't take long for SK hynix's M-die to show its overclocking superiority over its competition. The M-die ICs effortlessly surpass rival ICs in overclocking. SK hynix has now developed the company's second-generation A-die ICs to further push DDR5 to its limits.

A-die isn't the replacement for M-die, though — SK hynix continues to manufacture both products in parallel. The ultra-fast DDR5 memory kits, specifically those higher than DDR5-7000, exploit the latest SK hynix A-die ICs. Until Micron and Samsung release something better, SK hynix's A-die ICs are currently the preferred dies for overclocking by many enthusiasts and performance seekers.

G.Skill hasn't drastically deviated from the Trident's core design over the last couple of generations, and it shows with the Trident Z5 RGB memory. It still features that familiar and aggressive fin-like exterior with sharp edges. The heat spreader, which is made of aluminum, has a matte black exterior and a middle strip with a brushed aluminum finish. G.Skill has many variations of the Trident Z5 design, but the memory modules conform to a height of 42mm (1.65 inches) for maximum compatibility with motherboards and CPU air coolers.

RGB lighting has become a requirement for gaming memory, and the Trident Z5 RGB sticks to the trend. The slim RGB light bar above the heat spreader shines vibrantly. There are two ways consumers can control it. If you're an avid fan of the brand, G.Skill provides the Trident Z Lighting Control software. If not, you can always control it with your motherboard's lighting software. Support extends to Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

G.Skill hand-screened the SK hynix H5CG48AGBDX018 (A-die) ICs that went into memory modules. It's a single-rank design with eight 2GB chips, amounting to 16GB of capacity per memory module. Richtek's 0D=9B J1U power management IC (PMIC) is responsible for voltage regulation on the Trident Z5 RGB memory modules.

Some DDR5-7200 memory kits default to DDR5-5600 natively, but G.Skill's memory still adheres to DDR5-4800. The default timings are 40-40-40-77. G.Skill designed the memory kit for Intel's latest 13th Generation Raptor Lake processors, which arrives with Intel XMP 3.0 support. There's only one profile, and it stores the settings for DDR5-7200 with 34-45-45-115 timings at 1.4V. See our PC Memory 101 feature and How to Shop for RAM story for more timings and frequency considerations.

Comparison Hardware

Our Intel test system revolves around Intel's Core i9-13900K processor and MSI's MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard, running the 7D28vA8 firmware. In contrast, the AMD testbed leverages the Ryzen 7 7700X and ASRock X670E Taichi currently on the 1.11.AS06 firmware.

Corsair's CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler keeps the Raptor Lake and Zen 4 processor temperatures in line. In addition, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio tackles our gaming RAM benchmarks.

Our Windows 11 installation, benchmarking software, and games reside on Crucial's MX500 SSDs, whereas the Corsair RM650x power supply feeds our system with the necessary power. Lastly, the Streacom BC1 open bench table ensures that our hardware is well-kept and tidy.

Intel Performance

The memory kit exhibited good performance and stable operation during our tests. It placed second overall, outpacing the T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 C34. However, G.Skill's memory kit only took first place in the Adobe Photoshop benchmark, which was 3.2% faster than its T-Force rival.

AMD Performance

The current state of the AGESA code and silicon limitations put AMD's Ryzen 7000 processors at a disadvantage regarding memory support. However, the good samples with a powerful IMC (integrated memory controller) typically support DDR5-6400 to DDR5-6600 memory.

For our particular Ryzen 7 7700X, DDR5-6400 is the ceiling, so DDR5-7200 is beyond the bounds of possibility.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

We expected similar headroom from the Trident Z5 RGB memory kit as the T-Force Delta RGB memory kit since both use identical SK hynix A-die ICs. G.Skill's memory modules ran at DDR5-7600 without problems and with the same 1.45V as its rival. The memory timings were comparable, except that the Trident Z5 RGB memory couldn't run stably with the tRAS as 86. As a result, we had to stick to 115, the default tRAS for the advertised speed.

Lowest Stable Timings

However, at DDR5-7200 and with 1.45V, the Trident Z5 RGB managed to get on the same page as the T-Force Delta RGB. We used the exact memory timings of 34-41-41-81, and the G.Skill memory kit ran rock solid.

Bottom Line

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 offers slightly better overall performance than the T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 C34. The overclocking potential was similar on both memory kits, which was expected since the two employ practically the same SK hynix A-die ICs. Unfortunately, there is a bit of a lottery to the quality of the ICs. We managed to push the memory to DDR5-7600, but your overclocking mileage will likely vary. But one thing is certain: A-die is currently the best DDR5 IC for hitting high frequencies.

G.Skill sells the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 for $234.99. Its direct competitor, the T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 C34, retails for $214.99. At the current pricing, there's a noticeable difference. However, that doesn't take away the fact that G.Skill's memory kit is the faster of the two memory kits. The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 is the way to go if you want pure performance. Aesthetics, as usual, are subjective, and brand loyalty also plays a role in the purchase decision.

• MORE: Best RAM
• MORE: DDR DRAM FAQs And Troubleshooting Guide
• MORE: All Memory Content

G.Skill has announced five new Trident Z5 DDR5 memory kits for Intel platforms, featuring the all-new 24GB and 48GB capacity DDR5 modules and memory speeds of up to 8200MT/s. The 8200MT/s kit, in particular, will be among the fastest on the market, and it will come with more than 32GB of capacity.

To reiterate, only one DDR5-8200 kit is rated for that speed in the list. This will be a 24GB x 2 (48GB) DDR5 memory kit with 40-52-52 timings. For perspective, this kit has slightly quicker memory latency than a DDR5 5600MHz CL28 or 6000MHz CL30 kit. So it will be great for memory-sensitive applications, like gaming, and vastly superior for bandwidth-heavy workloads.

The next-fastest kits include a DDR5-8000 dual-channel kit and a DDR5-7200 dual-channel kit. The 8000MT/s version will come with 40-48-48 timings, and the 7200MT/s kit will come with 36-46-46 timings. Both feature a DDR5 capacity of 48GB split between two DDR5 sticks (2 x 24GB). 

The last remaining kits are the slowest of the bunch, featuring 6800MT/s and 6400MT/s versions, but they come in significantly higher-capacity variants. The 6800MT/s version comes with 34-46-46- timings, and the 6400MT/s version comes with 32-39-39 timings. Both kits will come in two configurations, either a 2 x 24GB kit or a 2 x 48GB kit, giving users a total of 48GB or 96GB of memory capacity.

G.Skill showed off real-world memory tests of its 8400MT/s 48GB kit and 6800MT/s 96GB kit running MemtestPro 4.0 on a Core i9-13900K CPU and an ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero. Both memtest results show perfect stability of the kits, with no errors.

The 48 GB and 96GB capacities are brand new to the consumer space and open a whole new wave of capacity options in the DDR5 market. Before, you were limited to 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities on mainstream platforms, utilizing either two or four memory sticks. Now with 24GB and 48GB modules, users can opt for 48GB, 96GB, and even 192GB options with either two or four sticks.

This will allow users to target more optimal memory configurations and not overpay for the additional capacity they don't need. For instance, if a user needs 80GB of RAM for a specific application, they would need to buy a 128GB kit to sufficiently hit that target. Now they can get much closer to that target with a 96GB kit, and pay for less memory overhead. The 192GB option is also nice since that option is much larger than the previous 128GB cap. (Again, this example applies only to mainstream platforms, not HEDT or workstations with more than four DDR5 slots.)

All kits are designed for Intel DDR5 platforms only and support XMP 3.0. Technically you can run XMP on AMD Ryzen 7000 series counterparts; however, there's no guarantee of stability, and there is a good chance memory sub-timings won't be tuned optimally compared to a proper AMD EXPO kit.

You typically don’t find the words "overclocked" and "ECC" in the same sentence, but that hasn't stopped G.Skill from cooking up what appears to be the first overclocked DDR5 RDIMM (registered DIMM) memory modules for workstations and servers. The new Zeta R5 memory arrives just in time for Xeon W Sapphire Rapids chips and ready to compete with the best RAM on the market.

Although G.Skill also sells standard memory, enthusiast and gaming memory are the brand‘s strong suit. However, it looks like G.Skill finally feels confident enough to venture into the server memory market. Overclocking celebrity Roman "der8auer" Hartung has provided a small preview of G.Skill’s first server memory kit under the newly created Zeta R5 lineup.

The Zeta R5 memory modules debut with a black PCB and a simple aluminum heat spreader. Although the heat spreader is filled with fancy marketing specifications, there’s no RGB onboard. This is server memory, after all, so there’s no room for that nonsense. The memory kit carries the part number F5-6400R3239G16GE8-ZR5K, which means it has a total capacity of 128GB. Since each memory module is 16GB big, the memory kit is composed of eight of them. 

The Zeta R5's kit capacity isn’t very remarkable by today’s standards — thanks to the introduction of 48GB memory modules, vendors have launched offerings up to 192GB with a four-DIMM memory kit. Obviously, those are UDIMMs (unregistered DIMMs) and G.Skill's latest creation are RDIMMs that feature standard error correction code (ECC), a feature that's vital in the server world where data integrity is number one on the priority list.

G.Skill did some impressive binning on the Zeta R5 memory kit. It runs at a reputable data rate of DDR5-6400 with some pretty tight timings. The vendor has set the memory timings to 32-39-39-102 with a required DRAM voltage of 1.4V. Since these are overclocked memory modules, they arrive with XMP 3.0 support for a one-click setup.

G.Skill hasn't launched the Zeta R5 memory kits yet, so pricing and availability are unknown. Now that the cat is out of the bag, we expect G.Skill to make an official announcement very soon.

The 32GB Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 memory kit comes to market with support for AMD's EXPO one-click overclocking profiles. Ryzen 7000 processors are the first AMD mainstream chips to embrace DDR5 memory, so Intel isn't the only chipmaker to do so anymore. As a result, we've seen a new wave of EXPO-certified DDR5 memory kits specifically for Zen 4. Nonetheless, most consumers will probably look at a DDR5-6000 memory kit for their next Zen 4 build. It's not a coincidence. AMD has openly stated that DDR5-6000 is the sweet spot for Ryzen 7000 processors, so the data rate has grown in popularity.

Luckily for consumers, there are more than enough DDR5-6000 memory kits to pick from. The first DDR5-6000 memory kits typically carry a CAS Latency (CL) of 40. However, technology evolves rapidly, so DDR5 has matured a bit since its debut. As a result, memory vendors have started to roll out faster DDR5-6000 memory. Nowadays, you can find high-end DDR5-6000 memory kits on the market with CL values as low as 30. The Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 is among these options.

The design philosophy behind the Trident Z5 Neo RGB memory modules is similar to the other Trident Z5 variants. The stylish heat spreader arrives with a matte black exterior, a black brushed aluminum inset, and silver highlights. Trident Z5 memory kits are typícally available in metallic silver trim, but it's unknown if the G.Skill will offer this color option for the Trident Z5 Neo RGB down the road.

Since G.Skill uses the same mold for all its Trident Z5 memory, the Neo RGB variant has the same height as its counterparts. As a result, the memory modules check in with a height of 42mm (1.65 inches). A streamlined RGB light bar sits atop the Trident Z5 Neo RGB memory modules. Complete control of the illumination and effects is available through the G.Skill Trident Z Lighting Control software or your motherboard's software. If you opt for the latter, note that the Trident Z5 Neo RGB is compatible with Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

Two 16GB DDR5 memory modules with a single-rank design make up G.Skill's Trident Z5 Neo RGB memory kit. Therefore, it doesn't come as a surprise that the memory modules use SK hynix H5CG48MEBDX014 (M-die) integrated circuits (ICs), a popular choice among memory vendors. In addition, the power management IC (PMIC) carries the "0D=9B J1U" identifier, which means it hails from Richtek's camp.

By default, the memory runs at DDR5-4800 with timings toned down to 40-40-40-77. G.Skill has embedded one EXPO profile into the Trident Z5 Neo RGB. Once enabled, the memory jumps to DDR5-6000 with timings and DRAM voltage fixed at 30-38-38-96 and 1.35V, respectively. See our PC Memory 101 feature and How to Shop for RAM story for more timings and frequency considerations.

Comparison Hardware

Our Intel test system uses Intel's Core i9-13900K processor and MSI's MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard, running the 7D28vA8 firmware. In contrast, the AMD testbed leverages the Ryzen 7 7700X and ASRock X670E Taichi currently on the 1.11.AS06 firmware.

Corsair's CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler keeps the Raptor Lake and Zen 4 processor temperatures in line. In addition, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio tackles our gaming RAM benchmarks.

Our Windows 11 installation, benchmarking software, and games reside on Crucial's MX500 SSDs, whereas the RM650x feeds our entire system with the necessary power. Lastly, the Streacom BC1 open bench table ensures that our hardware is well-kept and tidy.

Intel Performance

Although the memory kit isn't tailored towards Intel, it exhibited decent performance. Cumulatively, the Trident Z5 Neo RGB finished second in application performance, a hair behind the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C30.

AMD Performance

The Trident Z5 Neo RGB performed splendidly on the AMD X670 test system, beating all the other memory kits. In addition, the memory excelled in productivity workloads, including Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Corona, and HandBrake. Of course, gaming performance between each memory kit is pretty close, but the Trident Z5 Neo RGB ranked second overall.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

SK hynix M-die ICs are easy to overclock, and the Trident Z5 Neo RGB isn't any different. Increasing the DRAM voltage from 1.35V to 1.4V got us to DDR5-6200. After that, however, we saw the need to relax the tRCD and tRP timings by two clock cycles to stabilize the overclock.

Lowest Stable Timings

G.Skill's memory kit has some of the tightest timings on the market. As a result, the CAS Latency (CL) wouldn't move neither did the tRAS. However, we could lower the tRCD and tRP by two clock cycles but had to up the DRAM voltage to 1.4V. It simply wasn't worth it, so overclocking the memory kit top DDR5-6200 is a better way to squeeze more performance.

Bottom Line

It's hard to find reasons not to like the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30. The memory kit works immaculately out of the box and offers solid performance. That alone is enough to win the majority of buyers over. Looks, as usual, are subjective, but you can't dispute the Trident Z5 Neo RGB's premium exterior. Like its competition, G.Skill uses SK hynix M-die ICS for the memory kit, so there is some tweaking headroom left in memory modules.

DDR5 pricing still fluctuates, but current DDR5-6000 C30 memory kits start at $159.99. When you consider that, suddenly, the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30's $179.99 price tag doesn't look that awful. You're still paying the adopter tax for DDR5, but the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 has proven to be a formidable memory kit, especially for AMD's 600-series platform. There will ultimately be faster memory kits down the road, but in the meantime, the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 is as good as it gets.

G.Skill has launched the market's fastest retail DDR5 memory kit yet. Clocking in at DDR5-8000, the new Trident Z5 RGB memory is ready to compete with (and likely scream past) the best RAM on the market.

The DDR5-8000 memory kit hails from G.Skill's Trident Z5 RGB lineup, and it's available in both matte black (F5-8000J3848H16GX2-TZ5RK), and metallic silver (F5-8000J3848H16GX2-TZ5RS) trims. It comes with two 16GB DDR5 memory modules rated for DDR5-8000. G.Skill binned the memory modules with timings of 38-48-48-128, requiring 1.45V to hit the advertised data rate.

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-8000 is not your run-of-the-mill memory kit and requires a capable processor with a strong IMC (integrated memory controller). In addition, you'll need one of Intel's 13th Generation Raptor Lake chips, which are superior to AMD's Ryzen 7000 lineup regarding integrated memory controller (IMC) strength. Even the most exceptional Ryzen 7000 samples stop at DDR5-6600.

G.Skill tested the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-8000 memory kit with the flagship Core i9-13900K on Asus' ROG Maximus Z790 Apex, a motherboard that caters explicitly to overclocking. Unfortunately, that's the only motherboard G.Skill has validated for the new speedy-fast DDR5-8000 memory kit. Like most DDR5 memory kits, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-8000 supports XMP 3.0. However, it's unlikely that the memory kit will work right off the bat without some manual tuning unless your processor has a strong IMC.

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-8000 memory kit will be available this month. Newegg has listed the metallic silver version for $529.99, whereas the matte black version costs $534.99. Both should be in stock very soon. The DDR5-8000 memory kit isn't the fastest kit that G.Skill has up its sleeves, though. The memory vendor has already demonstrated DDR5-10000 on air cooling, so it should be a matter before G.Skill brings those speeds to retail as well, for a small fortune.

G.Skill says it has touched a milestone: DDR5-10000 on air cooling. This satisfyingly round-numbered feat was achieved using a single air-cooled Trident Z5 memory module and some hardware and technical help from Asus. 

(In other news, G.Skill today announced a high-frequency Trident Z5 DDR5-8000 32GB (16GB x 2) CL40 memory kit validated for use with Intel's Core i9-13900K processor and Asus' ROG Maximus Z790 Apex Motherboard (BIOS 0702).)

The headlining DDR5-10000 achievement by G.Skill was achieved using only air cooling used for both the system processor and RAM. While numerically impressive, the overclocked DDR5 won't be part of any practical PC build, as it needed to run with a single memory module for the system to be stable enough to validate the performance using CPU-Z.

Above you can see a screenshot of the DDR5-10000 achievement, with CPU-Z displaying the double data rate DRAM clock at 5,000 MHz. This confirms that G.Skill used one of its DDR5-8000 modules using SK Hynix ICs, which was then overclocked to DDR5-10000. You can check more details via the official CPU-Z validation link.

G.Skill also showcased DDR5-8000 CL40 32GB (2x16GB) and DDR5-7800 CL38 32GB (2x16GB) memory kits validated on an Intel Core i9-13900K processor and Asus ROG Maximus Z790 Apex motherboard (BIOS 0702) platform. This is the same platform used for G.Skill's DDR5-10000 feat, but here the air-cooled memory kits use a matched pair of RAM modules.

According to G.Skill’s testing in AIDA64, the DDR5-8000 kit has a memory bandwidth read speed of over 124 GB/s and a write speed of over 120 GB/s.

It's interesting to see these (claimed) DDR5 speeds ratcheting up as overclocking experts grow comfortable with Intel's new generation of processors. Less than two weeks ago, G.Skill was teasing work on the Trident Z5 DDR5-8000 memory kit, and now it's being overshadowed by a 20% faster air cooled achievement. 

An observer might expect other memory makers to respond quickly, but none of the G.Skill Trident Z5 modules and kits mentioned are on the market yet. G.Skill has yet to provide info about shipping times or pricing, so these blistering speeds are just headline eye-candy for the moment. The fastest Trident Z5 kits currently available peak at DDR5-7600 CL36.

With Intel rolling out its flagship 13th Gen Core Raptor Lake processors today, memory makers are eager to get their fastest most premium DDR5 kits into the headlines. The likes of Corsair, G.Skill, and Team Group have already started boasting about kits with speeds up to DDR5-7800.

Below are summaries of the new memory kits each firm has prepared to try and tempt Raptor Lake early adopters, presented in alphabetical order. A summary table featuring the newly announced DDR5 modules / kits is provided near the bottom of this article.

Corsair

Corsair today announced “a range of new high-frequency DDR5 kits specifically designed for Intel’s new Z790 motherboards.” Those jumping on the 13th Gen Intel platform have a trio of new 32GB (2x 16GB) Dominator Platinum RGB memory kits to choose from.

There are 32GB kits with headline speeds of DDR5-7000, DDR5-7200, and, for the first time from Corsair, DDR5-7600 to choose from. If you are a fan of Corsair memory but not inclined to splash out on the top-end Dominator Platinum RGB memory kits, the PC components maker says it will be introducing the same speed choices in its Vengeance DDR5 and Vengeance RGB DDR5 "later in 2022."

Corsair also took the opportunity to boast about its PSUs and AIO coolers, and their suitability for pairing with the new Raptor Lake chips.

G.Skill

G.Skill provided details of three kits; its speediest offering of a DDR5-7800 at CL38 32GB (2x 16GB) kit, a ready-to-overclock DDR5-7600 at CL36 32GB (2x 16GB) kit, and a high-capacity DDR5-7400 64GB (2x32GB) memory kit.

In addition to the Trident Z5 family memory kits outlined above, the performance PC components specialist revealed that it is working on "a blistering, ultra-fast DDR5-8000 [CL38] 2x16GB memory kit" that is a work in progress, for the time being.

TeamGroup

TeamGroup was excited to tell us about its T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7600 memory kits created for, and validated on, Intel 13th-Gen Raptor Lake and Z790 motherboards. Like the other kits, these offerings are easy to get installed and operating at their full potential thanks to Intel XMP 3.0 OC configuration in BIOS.

TeamGroup’s validation screenshots show that the above kit is 32GB (2x 16GB) in capacity with CL36 latency.

Today’s DDR5 memory kits announcement highlights

The vendors didn’t mention any specific prices, but instead ask for those interested to check with retailers. DDR5 isn’t cheap, but is becoming more accessibly priced, though premium modules with the fastest speeds demand a premium.

Memory specialist G.Skill has announced the Trident Z5 Neo and Flare X5 memory kits tailored to AMD’s Zen 4 Ryzen 7000 processors. In addition, the new AMD EXPO-certified memory kits will contend with the best RAM on the market.

The Trident Z5 Neo series is the DDR5 variant of the company’s Trident Z Neo DDR4 memory kits for AMD chips. It retains the same aesthetics and will arrive in regular and RGB flavors. The Flare X5 series, on the other hand, conforms to a more low-profile design without the eye candy. The memory shares the same exterior as G.Skill’s Ripjaws S5 memory kits.

The selling point for G.Skill’s new memory kits is the incorporation of EXPO (EXtended Profiles for Overclocking) memory profiles. EXPO is essentially AMD’s take on Intel’s XMP 3.0 standard. Like XMP 3.0, EXPO facilitates the setup process for high-speed memory kits where consumers can enable the profile with a single click.

“We are thrilled to partner with G.SKILL to bring AMD EXPO technology to enthusiasts, gamers, and overclockers worldwide,” said David McAfee, Corporate Vice President and General Manager, Client Channel Business Unit, AMD. “AMD EXPO technology gives users peace of mind when selecting memory, unlocking improved memory performance with the click of a button.”

Trident Z5 Neo, Flare X5 Specifications

For the time being, G.Skill will only sell the Trident Z5 Neo and Flare X5 in DDR5-5600 and DDR5-6000 presentations. AMD expects EXPO-certified memory kits to hit DDR5-6400 at launch, so we could expect faster offerings from G.Skill in the future.

The fastest memory kit out of the Expo-ready lot hails from the Trident Z5 Neo family with a data rate of DDR5-6000 and timings set to 30-38-38-96. However, the memory only comes in a single capacity: 32GB (2x16GB). On the other hand, the Flare X5 DDR5-6000 memory kit tops out at 32-38-38-96 with 32GB (2x16GB) and 64GB (2x32GB).

Regarding DDR5-5600, G.Skill offers a memory kit with excellent timings at 28-34-34-89 and one with more relaxed timings at 36-36-36-39. The DDR5-5600 memory kits are available in 32GB (2x16GB) and 64GB (2x32GB) capacities.

G.Skill didn't reveal the pricing for the Trident Z5 Neo and Flare X5 memory kits. However, they will hit the retail shelves in September alongside AMD's Ryzen 7000 chips, so we'll find out soon enough.

AMD has filed a patent for a program that performs automatic memory overclocking to simplify enthusiasts' lives. The app can automatically test overclocked memory modules for stability and locally store memory overclocking profiles unique to a particular system.  

Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) overclocking has existed for decades. At first, companies like Corsair cherry-picked memory ICs that could safely work at high frequencies and/or with low latencies. It then built modules that were guaranteed to work at specific frequencies, timings and voltages but required those settings to be entered manually into BIOS. To simplify things, Intel introduced its eXtreme Memory Profiles (XMP) — settings stored in a module's serial presence detect (SPD) chip and can be activated on supporting platforms — in 2007, and virtually all enthusiast-grade memory currently comes with XMP profiles.  

But guaranteed/recommended settings and XMP profile settings tend to be relatively conservative to maximize compatibility with a broad array of systems. Meanwhile, each PC is unique, so diehard enthusiasts tend to determine maximum data transfer rates and the lowest latencies their machines are capable of themselves. However, this is time-consuming and requires knowledge, experience, and skills.  

AMD's automatic memory overclocking technology attempts to give average performance enthusiasts the ability to tune their memory modules and CPUs for maximum performance like a pro, but without extensive manual testing. In addition, AMD's automatic memory overclocking should also allow owners of inexpensive memory modules with JEDEC standard settings in SPDs to overclock them to their limits. Performance-minded enthusiasts who tend to use the best RAM modules featuring XMP 3.0 profiles will also be able to maximize their performance to levels that their builds can handle without doing loads of manual work. 

"Settings for memory modules can be configured according to vendor profiles or user input specifications," AMD's patent US20220155982 reads. "These profiles are often generated and tested using system configurations differing from a user system. Additionally, user input specifications may be restricted using margins determined and tested using these differing system configurations." 

AMD's automatic memory overclocking technology entails determining an overclocked memory frequency setting, passing the memory stability test, determining the most aggressive timing settings for passing the said test, and generating a profile that includes the overclocked memory frequency and latency settings. The resulting profile will eventually be loaded by the program. Interestingly, the patent does not touch upon memory voltages, which means that modules must maintain SPD voltages (i.e., voltages from SPD profiles), or voltages must be set manually in the UEFI BIOS or using a third-party app. 

The patent was published on May 19, 2022, so we can only guess as to when AMD's program will come to fruition. However, we could safely speculate that AMD will make it available once it launches the next-generation Ryzen 7000-Series processors. 

Despite all the benefits that DDR5 brings to the forefront, the new memory standard didn't start off on the right foot. The fact is that DDR5 debuted in the middle of a global semiconductor shortage, which hindered its adoption rate due to inflated pricing. However, pricing for DDR5 memory kits has improved, but there is still a long way to go before it's competitive with DDR4 pricing; therefore, consumers are reluctant to jump on the bandwagon. Moreover, DDR5 is still wet behind the ears and struggles to compete with high-end DDR4. However, it's slowly getting there, and G.Skill's recent Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 memory kit is a testimony that DDR5 is progressing in the right direction.

G.Skill's Trident Z5 RGB memory is among the best-looking DDR5 kits around. The memory comes in two flavors: metallic silver or matte black. On this occasion, we're taking a look at the latter. Unlike the metallic silver variant that features silver and black tones, the matte black version sports an all-black aluminum heat spreader.

The heat spreader with the translucent RGB light bar on the Trident Z5 RGB isn't offensively tall; however, the memory module has a height of 42mm (1.65 inches), so you should double-check for compatibility issues either way. You can tweak the lighting using G.Skill's lightweight Trident Z Lighting Control software or your motherboard. The compatibility list includes Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 memory modules incorporate SK hynix's H5CG48MEBDX014 (M-die) integrated circuits (ICs). In addition, the power management IC (PMIC) has the "0D=8M 24A" marking. After dumping the memory's SPD through the CPU-Z software, we found out that Richtek is the maker of this unit.

Like any overclocked DDR5, G.Skill's memory kit will default to DDR5-4800 with 40-40-40-76 timings. The XMP 3.0 profile configures the data rate up to DDR5-6400, timings to 32-39-39-102, and applies 1.4V to the DRAM voltage. See our PC Memory 101 feature and our How to Shop for RAM story for more on timings and frequency considerations.

Comparison Hardware

Our DDR5 test system leverages Intel's Core i9-12900K processor with Corsair's CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler taking care of the cooling. The flagship Alder Lake chip resides on the MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard, running the 7D28vA8 firmware. Meanwhile, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio is responsible for our gaming RAM benchmarks.

Our Windows 11 installation, benchmarking software, and games are stored on Crucial's MX500 SSDs, whereas the RM650x feeds our entire system with the necessary juice. Lastly, the Streacom BC1 open bench table houses all of our hardware.

Intel Performance

G.Skill's memory kit boasted excellent performance, clinching the top spot in our application performance chart. The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 excelled in most of the benchmarks except for Cinebench R23, where it came in fourth.

DDR5 speeds don't make a huge difference in gaming performance. Nonetheless, the Trident Z5 RGB was only second to G.Skill's own Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

When you run hardware outside of the manufacturer's specifications, there's always a potential risk of damage. That's the standard caveat with overclocking any piece of hardware, not just memory. We've already reached out to SK hynix to inquire about the maximum safe voltage for its ICs, but we haven't received any feedback on safe voltages for overclocking. However, after speaking with various memory vendors, they've agreed that 1.4V is the maximum voltage you would want to pump into DDR5 for an extended time.

Since the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 already operates with 1.4V, we increased it to 1.45V for some wiggle room. However, the SK hynix M-die ICs were easy to overclock, and we got the memory kit to DDR5-6600 with the exact advertised timings (32-39-39-102) for DDR5-6400.

Lowest Stable Timings

The Trident Z5 RGB memory kit has a great CAS Latency (32); however, its other timings need some work. Sadly, there wasn't a considerable margin for optimization. Even at 1.45V, we only reduced the tRCD, tRP, and tRAS from 39-39-102 to 37-37-97.

Bottom Line

G.Skill's Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 memory kit is speedy, there's no doubt about that. The memory would look great in any build and offers some headroom for free performance if you're into overclocking or don't mind running the memory kit at a higher voltage. So, the biggest question is whether the memory kit is worth the premium price tag.

The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 currently retails for $449.99. The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36, which used to sell for $489.99, has dropped to $399.99. So the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 won't let you down if you're after what is the fastest and greatest DDR5 memory kit for the time being. But if top-tier performance isn't a priority in your book, then the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 is still a more sensible alternative.

One of the reasons why many enthusiasts have mixed feelings about DDR5 memory is its high latencies that hinder real-world performance advantages promised by higher data transfer rates as well as well as higher channel utilization. Being one of the leading suppliers of enthusiast-oriented memory modules, G.Skill this week introduced its new extreme low-latency DDR5 memory kits that wed a 5600 MT/s data transfer rate with a CAS latency of 28. 

G.Skill's 16GB and 32GB unbuffered DDR5-5600 memory modules with CL28 34-34-89 timings will be available as 32GB and 64GB dual-channel memory kits within the company's Trident Z5 RGB, Trident Z5, and Ripjaws S5 product series in late May 2022. The new DDR5-5600 CL28 DIMMs from G.Skill will come equipped with aluminum heat spreaders with or without an RGB lightbar with multiple lighting zones.

Traditionally for G.Skill's enthusiast-grade memory modules, these sticks come with XMP 3.0 profiles to automatically set high data transfer rates and low latencies. Also, these modules are based on cherry-picked memory chips guaranteed to work in DDR5-5600 CL28 mode.  

One thing to keep in mind is that these extreme low-latency memory modules not only feature a combination of speed and latency that is not officially supported by JEDEC. They also run beyond JEDEC voltages of 1.1 Volts, so they require a high-end motherboard too. 

The new kits are designed for Intel Z690-based platforms running the company's 12th Generation Core 'Alder Lake' processors, so sub-timings (beyond CAS latency of 28) are optimized for a very specific memory controller. G.Skill has tested its 16GB and 32GB DDR5-5600 memory modules with CL28 34-34-89 latency settings on a system featuring Intel's Core i7-12700K processor as well as Asus's ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard.

In addition to DDR5-5600 CL28, G.Skill also has DDR5-5200 CL28 32GB and 64GB memory kits that promise to be slightly cheaper albeit slightly slower too. Speaking of pricing, we should note that there are no firm MSRPs on these modules, so expect their real-world pricing to be in line with market conditions. 

DDR5 is all the rage nowadays. However, the ongoing shortage and resulting steep pricing have scared potential customers away from the new memory kits. Intel's 12th Generation Alder Lake processors have embraced DDR5, but not all Alder Lake adopters have jumped on the bandwagon. Indeed, DDR5 is still in diapers, and first-generation memory kits have yet to demonstrate DDR5's full potential. Nonetheless, prominent brands like G.Skill have launched their high-end Trident Z5 lineup for hardcore enthusiasts that want to own the best of what DDR5 has to offer in the current stage of its product cycle.

For this generation of the Trident series, G.Skill introduced the Trident Z5 and Trident Z5 RGB lineups. The latter features RGB lighting, which is also the variant in this review. Design-wise, the Trident Z5 RGB retains the trident theme with the fin design. In addition, the aluminum heat spreader flaunts a two-toned exterior and looks more elegant than previous Trident installments.

The Trident Z5 RGB measures 42mm (1.65 inches) tall with a heat spreader that comes in either metallic silver or matte black color of your choice. In addition, you'll find a translucent RGB light bar on the RGB variants and a regular plastic bar on the non-RGB versions. For the former, G.Skill includes the brand's proprietary Trident Z Lighting Control software, weighing in at 5.8MB. Finally, if you prefer your motherboard's software, the Trident Z5 RGB memory modules will play nice with Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

The Trident Z5 RGB memory modules have a capacity of 16GB and adhere to a single-rank design. G.Skill chose Samsung's high-end K4RAH086VB-BCQK (B-die) integrated circuits for this particular memory kit, allowing it to hit very tight timings at the advertised data rate. The power management IC (PMIC) is from ANPEC and carries the model number APW8502C-AX93Q.

Before enabling the XMP 3.0 profile on the memory kit, it'll run at DDR5-4800 with 40-40-40-76 timings. Flipping on the switch will get the Trident Z5 RGB up to DDR5-6000 with 36-36-36-76 timings and a 1.3V DRAM voltage. For more on timings and frequency considerations, see our PC Memory 101 feature, as well as our How to Shop for RAM story.

Comparison Hardware

Our Intel testbed for DDR5 utilizes Intel's Core i9-12900K processor cooled with Corsair's CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler. The flagship Alder Lake chip rests on an MSI MAG Z690 Tomahawk WiFi motherboard that runs the 7D32vH0 firmware. Meanwhile, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio is responsible for our gaming RAM benchmarks.

Our Windows 11 installation, benchmarking software, and games are stored on Crucial's MX500 SSDs, whereas the RM650x feeds our entire system with the necessary juice. Lastly, the Streacom BC1 open bench table houses all of our hardware.

Intel Performance

Cumulatively, the Trident Z5 RGB was the fastest memory kit to tackle our application test suite. It dominated the majority of the benchmarks. The memory kit was particularly exceptional in the Adobe Photoshop 2022 workload, where it outperformed the slowest memory kit by 20%.

Surprisingly, G.Skill's memory kit didn't fare too well in the gaming section as the Trident Z5 RGB finished in the middle of the pack.

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

When you run hardware outside of the manufacturer's specifications, there's always a potential risk of damage. That's the standard caveat with overclocking any piece of hardware, not just memory. 

Samsung told us that the company does not guarantee an overclocking voltage for its ICs. The absolute maximum DC of the drain voltage is 1.4V.

We managed to get DDR5-6200 out of the Trident Z5 RGB with the exact XMP memory timings (36-36-36-76). However, the memory did require us to bump the DRAM voltage from 1.3V up to 1.4V.

Lowest Stable Timings

Despite increasing the DRAM voltage to 1.4V, we couldn't lower the CAS Latency (CL) value any lower than 36 clocks. Oddly enough, the tRCD, tRP, and tRAS timings were stable at 33-33-73. Only the CL wouldn't budge.

Bottom Line

The numbers speak for themselves. The G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 is one of the fastest DDR5 memory kits that money can buy. It also has the best timings that you can find on a DDR5-6000 memory kit. The usage of Samsung's B-die integrated circuits means that the Trident Z5 RGB memory can run at tight timings even beyond the proclaimed DDR5-6000. As always, your ceiling will depend on the silicon lottery and how much voltage you're willing to pump into the memory.

While the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 looks good and performs even better, it has an eye-watering price tag that could scare even enthusiasts with the deepest of pockets. At $489.99, the memory kit certainly merits extra meditation before pulling the trigger. But if you've already decided on picking a high-speed DDR5 memory kit for your Alder Lake system, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 will serve you well.

Persistence is the key to success. Extreme overclocker 林大餅Bing (via Buildzoid) has just broken the previous world record of DDR5-8888. On this occasion, he got G.Skill's Trident Z5 memory to DDR5-9560, just 440 MHz shy of hitting the DDR5-10000.

Not much has changed in regards to hardware. The overclocker's setup consisted of the Core i9-12900K, one of the best CPUs, the overclocking-friendly ROG Maximus Z690 Apex motherboard, and G.Skill's Trident Z5 (F5-6000U4040E16G) memory. Finally, of course, we can't forget the liters and liters of liquid nitrogen that went into accomplishing the new feat.

In his previous attempt, 林大餅Bing got to DDR5-8888 by relaxing the primary timings from 40-40-40-76 to 88-88-88-88. However, this time around, the overclocker resorted to 127-120-120-120 to attain enough stability for DDR5-9560. The effort represented a slight 8% uplift over the prior world record. It only took two weeks for 林大餅Bing to break the earlier record, but it shows that the overclocker has progressed in reaching the sought-after DDR5-10000 mark.

Although some DR5 memory kits haven't made it to the market, memory specialist G.Skill unquestionably has the fastest retail DDR5 offerings in its brand's arsenal. The continuing power management IC (PMIC) and voltage regulating module (VRM) shortage has put memory vendors in a difficult position. However, the company has already shown a DDR5-7000 C40 memory kit. In addition, for the more timing-conscious consumers, a DDR5-6400 C32 is close to launching.

In its current state, DDR5 has failed to unseat the best RAM currently available on the market. The outrageous pricing and lack of supply don't help with DDR5 adoption, either. Furthermore, Intel's 12th Generation Alder Lake processors are the only consumer chips to use DDR5, but they're happy with DDR4 too, depending on your motherboard choice. Things should start picking up when AMD launches its Ryzen 7000 Zen 4, sometime in the second half of the year.

G.Skill has again hooked up with Asus to establish a new world record for DDR5 overclocking. The Trident Z5 memory has hit DDR5-8888 under exotic liquid nitrogen cooling.

G.Skill's Trident Z5 was the prior record-holder at DDR5-8704. At this point, the company is practically competing against itself to push DDR5 to new heights. The memory module hails from the F5-6000U4040E16G memory kit, meaning its XMP speed is DDR5-6000. The Chinese overclocker, who goes by the nickname 林大餅Bing, pushed the memory to DDR5-8888, resulting in an impressive 48% overclock.

The sole Trident Z5 16GB memory module resided on Asus's ROG Maximus Z690 Apex motherboard, which also housed Intel's Core i9-12900K. Since it was all about DDR5 overclocking, the record getter kept the flagship Alder Lake in check. For the Trident Z5, however, he did have to play with the primary timings to get the memory stable. The Trident Z5 DDR5-6000's memory timings (40-40-40-76) were already a mess, but the overclocker further loosened them to 88-88-88-88.

The number 8 is the luckiest in Chinese culture since its pronunciation sounds similar to the word "fortune." It would seem that fortune did smile upon G.Skill and Asus in their latest overclocking endeavor. It shouldn't be long now until G.Skill or some other memory vendor eventually cross the DDR5-10000 barrier.

Nowadays, processor launches are almost always accompanied by world records. However, while we've seen the Core i9-12900K put up some impressive records, it's DDR5's turn to shine. Overclocker Hocayu overclocked G.Skill's Trident Z5 memory to 8,705 MHz snatching the title of the fastest memory from HyperX.

DDR5 has been forecasted to hit DDR5-10000, but that doesn't make G.Skill's DDR5-8705 achievement any less interesting. HyperX's Predator memory previously held the world record at DDR4-7200. So, G.Skill has recovered the throne with the Trident Z5 blowing the Predator out of the water by 21%. 

Hocayu used Intel's Core i7-12700KF, Asus' ROG Maximus Z690 Apex and G.Skill's Trident Z5 DDR5-6000 (F5-6000U4040A16G) memory to set the new world record. Unfortunately, since it was about hitting the highest frequency possible, the overclocker threw efficiency out the window. To say that the Trident Z5 DDR5-8705 memory was operating with sloppy timings is an understatement. The overclocker had loosened the timings from the XMP-rated 40-40-40-76 to 127-120-120-120.

Intel's 12th Generation Alder Lake processors and Z690 motherboards are readily available for purchase. DDR5 memory kits, on the other hand, are hard to come by. While many retailers have memory kits listed on their online stores, most of them are out of stock. Some of the announced DDR5 memory kits won't hit the market until mid- to late-November. 

The lack of supply certainly puts early Alder Lake adopters in a tight situation. Alder Lake is indeed compatible with DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but picking one means deserting the other completely. There aren't any 600-series motherboards that will support both memory formats, and we don't expect to see any. So if you purchase a Z690 motherboard with DDR4 slots today, you'll have to upgrade to a new one further down the line if the DDR5 bug ends up biting you.

Last week Gigabyte published a list of DDR5-7000 memory modules supported by its Z690 Aorus Tachyon motherboard, and this week G.Skill confirmed that it had managed to push its Trident Z5 DIMMs to 7000 MT/s without usage of liquid nitrogen or other extreme cooling methods. Apparently, there are DDR5-7000 modules incoming from multiple vendors, but to hit such speeds requires rather high voltage.

Gigabyte's list includes 16GB DDR5 memory modules from Adata, Gigabyte's Aorus, and TeamGroup that can work at a 7000 MT/s data transfer rate with CL40 40-40-80 latency settings at 1.5 Volts.

All these modules are based on chips from Samsung, but so far none of the companies have formally announced them, so we can only assume that they are set to be available at a later date. G.Skill managed to run a pair of its 16GB Trident Z5 modules at 7000 MT/s with CL40 40-40-76 timings and pass the Memtest stability test, though the company did not disclose the voltage setting of the modules. 

Regular DDR5 runs at 1.1V, while overclocked modules typically use up to 1.25V. Running 1.5V represents a whopping 36% overvoltage compared to the JEDEC standard. That's a pretty sizeable jump in voltage, just for the final 500 MT/s. It's difficult to say how such a high voltage affects longevity of DRAM ICs, not to mention Intel's DDR5 memory controller, but a 36% overvoltage is not something consumer-grade hardware will likely handle for prolonged periods of time.

Still, enthusiasts like to push hardware to its limits and companies are willing to help them. In fact, now that memory modules have their own voltage regulating module and power management IC, makers of DIMMs can at least ensure that they use premium components and deliver quality power to the DRAM.

One of the things that suppliers of premium memory modules never stop is their race for highest possible data transfer rates. Even when companies cannot offer certain speed bins here and now, they can still pre-announce them or issue a teaser to demonstrate that they are working on such DIMMs. DDR5 offers makers of enthusiast-grade DIMMs even higher levels of performance potential, but the technology is so new that the manufacturers are still learning. For now, they're being cautious about offering extreme speeds while they gain more experience with the new memory ICs and controllers and figure out how they behave in overclocked mode for prolonged periods.

In the meantime, DDR5-7000 represents too sweet a number to miss, which is why at least four companies are working on such modules. We'll likely see far higher speeds from DDR5 in the coming years. How much higher, though? GDDR5 speeds topped out at around 9 GT/s with the GTX 1060, and while the underlying technology may be different, it wouldn't be too surprising to see desktop memory hit that speed in the coming years.

G.Skill has launched high-speed DDR5 memory for the latest Intel 12th Generation Alder Lake processors and Z690 motherboards. The DDR5-6800 memory kits will definitely fight for a spot on the list of best RAM.

The new DDR5-6800 memory kits hail from G.Skill's high-performance Trident Z5 family. In terms of timings, the DDR5-6800 SKU doesn't have tight timings like the recently announced DDR5-6600 memory kit at C36. However, the higher data rate on the DDR5-6800 allows it to offer a slight increase in bandwidth. The DDR5-6600 memory kit delivers a peak memory bandwidth of up to 52.8 GBps, whereas the DDR5-6800 memory kit lands with 54.4 GBps, a 3.8% improvement.

G.Skill offers the Trident Z5 DDR5-6800 32GB (2x16GB) memory kits in two flavors. The one that utilizes Samsung integrated circuits (ICs) is rated for 38-38-38-76, while the one with Hynix ICs comes in at 42-42-42-76. Unfortunately, G.Skill didn't reveal the DRAM voltage for either memory kit, but we're expecting at least 1.25V to remain stable at DDR5-6800.

If we look at the single access latency times, the DDR5-6800 C38 memory kit is at  11.2ns, while the C42 variant is slightly higher at 12.4ns. For reference, the DDR5-6600 C36 memory kit's latency works out to 10.9ns. In the case of the DDR5-6800 C38 memory kit, it kind of balances out. Although it has a 2.8% higher latency, the memory kit offers 3.8% more memory bandwidth.

As you would expect, the Trident Z5 DDR5-6800 memory kits leverage Intel's XMP 3.0 extension. Remember that XMP 3.0 now supports up to five XMP profiles, where two are customizable by the user. So, in addition to the DDR5-6800 profile, the Trident Z5 memory modules will likely come with profiles with lower data rates for Alder Lake owners that don't have a processor with a strong IMC.

G.Skill hasn't shared the availability or pricing information for the Trident Z5 DDR5-6800 memory kits. G.Skill, like Corsair backs its DDR5 memory products with a limited lifetime warranty, but we've seen vendors, such as TeamGroup, reduce the warranty period to just three years.

G.Skill today announced the The Ripjaws S5 Series Low-Profile Performance series, extending its DDR5 portfolio with a new low profile DRAM kit. The Ripjaws S5 is only 33 mm tall, and designed for small form factor builds where space is at a premium, such as Mini-ITX systems. These new DRAM modules join the more performance-focused Trident Z 5, which scales up to DDR5-6400. 

At this time G.Skill is only launching one capacity for the Ripjaws S5: a dual-channel, 2x 16 GB kit (32 GB total). Frequencies start at DDR5-4800, scaling through to DDR5-6000. Interestingly, G.Skill lists the exact same CL timings for each of the speeds; it's more usual to see manufacturers list higher CL timings as frequency increases.

The modules don't feature any sort of RGB lighting, which makes sense - an RGB subsystem would take up valuable space and likely throw these modules out of Mini-ITX territory. Aesthetics are completely dependent on your color choice, with the kits available in either matte white or matte black. G.Skill styled these kits around racing cars, which is why you see decorative stripes and grills in the design.

The company didn't reveal pricing for the Ripjaws S5 Series Low-Profile kits, but did announce that these new DDR5 kits will be available from distributing partners worldwide from November. Unlike other vendors, who have reduced their warranties in DDR5 products, G.Skill on its website says it remains committed to providing limited lifetime warranties to all DRAM memory modules.

G.Skill was among the first to announce its intentions to embrace DDR5 memory for next-generation CPU platforms, and those efforts expand today with the launch of a new flagship member of its Trident Z5 family. Now, G.Skill claims to have the world's fastest DDR5-6600 memory on the market for the upcoming 12th-Gen Alder Lake processors from Intel.

The company also promises lower timings than typical DDR5 memory at CL36-36-36 versus the JEDEC-spec CL40-40-40. Of course, higher latency compared to DDR4 is something that we'll be watching closely with the first Alder Lake system reviews, so it's good to see that G.Skill is already taking a proactive approach with its Trident Z5 family.

The heat spreader has a brushed black aluminum accent, while the body is either metallic silver (for a two-tone look) or matte black. If you opt for the Trident Z5 RGB version of the modules, you'll obviously find an RGB lightbar to enhance the inside of your gaming rig. 

At this point, G.Skill has only announced that the DDR5-6600 versions of its Trident Z5 and Trident Z5 RGB will be available in 32GB kits (2x16GB), all of which use Samsung ICs. The company even posted a screenshot showing validation of the memory kits at full speed to back up its claims.  

The new G.Skill Trident Z5 modules are coming into a growing market for DDR5 memory. Just last week, the company announced modules rated for up to DDR5-6400 speeds. And earlier this week, TeamGroup announced its T-Force Vulcan modules available in up to DDR5-5200 speeds (in up to 2x32GB capacities). 

Intel is rumored to launch its Alder Lake processors capped off by the flagship 16-core/24-thread Core i9-12900K later this month, with a launch to occur in early November. In addition, flagship Z690 motherboards for Alder Lake will feature DDR5 and PCIe 5.0 support, both firsts for the consumer PC market. However, some motherboard manufacturers will give customers the option to use the best DDR4 memory around to hit lower price points. This should allow consumers to get a taste of Alder Lake without paying the price premium for next-generation DDR5 memory.

G.Skill has announced a new DDR5 memory lineup, featuring the Trident Z5 and Trident Z5 RGB. Designed to compete with the best RAM on the market, these kits will be designed for Intel's Alder Lake platform and built to run at speeds of up to 6400MHz. Each kit will come with hand-screened Samsung DDR5 ICs to ensure maximum performance and overclocking capability.

The new Z5 kits appear to be very fast compared to the standard JEDEC DDR5 6400Mhz standard of CL46. We don't know how far these new memory chips can be pushed, or what voltages they will tolerate. But if history repeats itself, we could see another "Samsung B-die" moment with these new ICs.

Aesthetically the new DDR5 modules feature a much more sleek and smooth exterior shape, compared to previous Trident Z models, likely giving the DIMMs a more elegant feel. The heatsinks themselves are made out of brushed aluminum and come in either black or silver. 

The black Z5s feature a matte black finish on the heatsink, and a glossy strip on the side with Trident Z5 badging. The silver model also maintains the black glossy stripe, but the heatsink is colored in silver, giving the silver Z5's a two-toned color theme.

There will also be two color options in the form of RGB and non-RGB variants. The RGB models will feature a lightbar that resides on top of the heatsink, which is similar to previous Trident Z models.

You will be able to get three memory frequency configurations for the new Trident Z5s, ranging from 5600MHz to 6000MHz, and 6400MHz. Each frequency can be configured with either CL40 timings or faster CL36 timings. All kits will come in a 32GB (2x16GB) dual channel kit configuration.

Worldwide availability will start sometime in November of this year.

You probably know G.Skill for making some of the best RAM, particularly for overclockers. But from time to time the company likes to dabble in other categories, like peripherals. But today we’re reviewing another unicorn: A G.Skill PC case. The chassis in question is the G.Skill Z5i, which is a compact ITX case with a strong focus on looks.

As such, the Z5i has two bent–yes bent–glass panels with a dark tint, making it quite an eye catcher. This also makes it somewhat expensive at $199, but in all honesty, the price isn’t all that outrageous if you consider that many other low-volume ITX cases can easily run upwards of $300.

So without further ado, let’s find out if it G.Skill’s latest chassis deserves a spot on our best PC cases list.

Specifications

Features

Touring around the outside of the G.Skill Z5i, you’ll notice it’s clearly a case designed by G.Skill. The triangular front end and tidy appearance is highly reminiscent of the Trident Z Neo memory modules. And as you’ll see later, they go together quite well, too.

The case’s frame is made from steel, with some plastic elements, and the front and rear are made from brushed aluminum. Meanwhile, the sides are the real centerpieces. Made from gorgeous, 4mm thick bent glass panels, they give the case a very chic, slick appearance. Their tint is quite dark, but this is a good thing as it’s difficult to hide cables in ITX builds, and the dark tint ensures you only really see the RGB-illuminated components on the inside.

Front IO consists of two USB 3.0 ports and one USB Type-C port. Headphone and mic jacks are missing here, and although I generally don’t consider this a huge issue on many cases as rear audio performs better anyway, these ports can be handy if you quickly need to plug in a headset for a call, as the case’s ‘rear’ IO is at the bottom, requiring tilting the entire system over to access.

At the bottom of the case you’ll find the system’s main IO, along with two addressable-RGB strips that connect to your motherboard. The G.Skill logo also has RGB illumination, and the whole lot runs through just a single convenient connector. 

To open the chassis, you simply pull the front of the glass panels to swing them out and away from their magnets, after which you can remove them from the hinges for easy assembly.

On the left side of the chassis you’ll find space for an ITX motherboard and SFX power supply. Flip over to the right, and there is room for up to 330mm long, triple-slot graphics cards, which is enough room for up to an RTX 3090. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice GPU length, you can install a 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drive in the top area. Either way, two more 2.5-inch drives fit on the central spine, at the rear.

Cooling

When it comes to cooling, the Z5i won’t be the strongest case, and this is likely to be its biggest drawback. The good news is that you’ll be able to fit up to a 280mm radiator at the back, so your CPU will, whichever way, be cooled more than adequately. However, this is the only cooling present in the chassis – no fans are included, nor are there any other positions to mount fans in the case.

Meanwhile, there are also no effective dust filters. There is a metal filter at the top of the case that will protect from falling dust, but the bottom doesn’t have a filter, so users will witness significant dust buildup and require frequent-ish cleaning cycles. 

We are using the following system for today’s test build:

With this build, we’re introducing a new ITX case test setup based on the 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11600K processor, paired with an Asus Z590 ITX motherboard and a large, RTX 3080 Ti graphics card. That’s a lot of hardware to throw at an ITX case, but most can handle it nowadays, at least when it comes to fitting the large graphics card. But we’re keeping our old RTX 2070 Super on-call for when the large Zotac RTX 3080 Ti doesn’t fit. This new setup also allows us to test the claims of PCIe 4.0 riser cable support, though the Z5i only claims PCIe 3.0 support, so it’s not something we need to worry about this time around.

Step 1: AIO Installation and Motherboard Installation

First, I installed all the components such as the CPU, memory, and SSD onto the motherboard. Then, because the rear would no longer be accessible once installed, I put the AIO’s cold plate in position before installing the motherboard assembly into the Z5i.

When installing the AIO’s cold plate, I did rotate its intended position by 90 degrees so that visually, the block would be correctly oriented due to the rotated motherboard position.

Then, I installed the radiator into place at the rear and tucked the hoses to within the perimeter of the Z5i.

Step 2: PSU Installation and Cable Management

Next, I installed the Corsair SF750 power supply at the top of the case and hooked up all the power cables. Meanwhile, I also connected up the case’s riser cable, front IO, power button, and RGB cables, making sure to tidy the lot as best I could given the limited facilities. Fortunately, they’re all black, and with the dark glass tint, they wouldn’t be visible anyway from the outside.

Naturally, cable management did take a while as this is a Mini-ITX case, but within about half an hour I achieved the above result.

Step 3: GPU Installation

Installing the GPU was a breeze, as it fit right into place. It’s a strange sight isn’t it, seeing a large, triple-slot RTX 3080 Ti in an ITX case. But it’s possible and there is some room to spare, even.

Step 4: Final Bits and Pieces

Lastly, I pushed the few remaining cables into place and put the glass panels back on the hinges. With that, the build was complete.

Build Complete

For thermal and acoustic testing, other than fan speeds, we’re running the hardware we have entirely at stock settings to mimic the results you can achieve as closely as possible. 

Acoustic Results

For the optimized idle, I made sure to run all the system’s fans at the lowest speeds they would spin at, utilizing Zero-RPM modes where possible with the GPU and power supply. Then, I run the CPU cooler and case fans at maximum speeds, but because this case doesn’t have its own fans, the measurement below features just the noise from the AIO. Lastly, I add the GPU to the mix at 75% fan speed as this is the highest most GPUs generally ramp up to. 

In the optimized idle result, the system is inaudible, indistinguishable from the noise floor of the room, both with the case panels on and off. This is no surprise thanks to all the Zero-RPM devices, so not really a result owed to the chassis. Adding the CPU and GPU to the mix makes for a rather loud system, and while the case’s side panels do dampen some noise, don’t expect any miracles. For quiet systems, be sure to focus on silent fans and setting up a fan curve that works efficiently.

Thermal Results

For the thermal tests, all case and CPU fan speeds are set to 100 percent, and the GPU fan is set to run at 75 percent fan speed to ensure it can always meet its power target.

With the side panels open, we get a pretty good idea of what the system would perform like under open test bench circumstances, to help illustrate the thermal hampering caused by the glass panels. The CPU doesn’t run all that much warmer with the doors closed, but the GPU suffers a significant increase in temperature with the system closed off. This is no surprise, as the glass panels are quite restrictive, and the only ventilation present is provided by the AIO. If you want a quieter system than we have here today, focus on low-TDP components with an AMD CPU and up to a mid-tier GPU. The case can handle high-end hardware, but it will get loud. 

Conclusion

Starting with the good stuff, the G.Skill Z5i offers a sweet appearance with oh-so-beautiful bent glass doors, and it’s really a sight to behold as an ITX chassis. It’s not too big (though far from as small as extremely compact ITX cases), and offers a pleasant building experience, to the extent that that’s possible with ITX. It’s also fairly priced at $199, which while expensive for a case, but isn’t outlandish in the world of ITX, especially considering those glass panels aren’t cheap. Oh, and the RGB implementation looks stunning, both the underglow and the way RGB components shine through the tinted glass.

But this is far from a perfect case. The biggest issue it has revolves around its cooling design – yes, it supports up to a 280mm radiator at the back, so your CPU will be fine, but the GPU is starved for air due to the fact that the only cooling provided is from the AIO – though keep in mind that our test with an RTX 3080 Ti is a lot to throw at a case like this. That, and there is no proper dust filtration.

So, if you want to build a good-looking system that you only run for a couple hours once in a while to play games on weekends, I see no reason to pass on the G.Skill Z5i. But if you’re a power user that runs their PC for hours on-end and requires good thermals, acoustics, and filtration, then you should opt for something a little more practical, even if that may mean sacrificing looks.

Popular memory maker G.Skill just announced its first PC case ever, the Z5i, a mini-ITX enclosure that features dual tempered glass side panels and a vertical form factor, with enough room to fit a triple slot RTX 3090. So, not-so-mini-ITX I guess.

G.Skill's first go at building an ITX chassis looks very competitive against other rivals in the market. The layout of the case is both conventional and rather unique. The chassis functions on a dual-chamber design, with one chamber dedicated to the mini-ITX motherboard and SFX PSU, and the other is completely dedicated to a discrete graphics card.

On both sides of the case, you have angled tempered glass side panels that are 4mm thick. They swing out like doors when opened and can easily be taken off their hinges by pulling them upward. The rest of the case is made out of a single piece of brushed aluminum. The front I/O is made up of dual USB 3.0 ports and a single 3.1 Type-C port.

For cooling, there are two 140mm intake mounts for dual 140mm fans or a single 280mm radiator, depending on your configuration. Again, not so mini-ITX in practice, but it's a nice option for people that want a powerful PC in the most compact form factor possible. The intake is aluminum but features a lot of triangle-like holes, so airflow shouldn't be a problem. At the top is a full mesh opening, allowing hot air to escape.

For storage, the Z5i has three 2.5-inch slots for SSDs or smaller HDDs. The first two are located directly behind the intake fans and sit in between the two chambers, the final one is located inside the graphics card chamber.

The case also includes a G.Skill logo with RGB lighting, as well as an RGB light bar that bounces light off your desk. All told, it's an attractive looking take on a large ITX case.

Pricing and availability are unknown at this time, but we'll see about reviewing one when they become available.

G.Skill is adding two new ultra-fast memory configurations to its current lineup of Royal Elite DDR4 memory kits. According to TechPowerUp, the new Royal Elite kits will come configured at 3600MHz or 4000Mhz at an ultra-low latency of CL14, thanks to high-quality Samsung B-Die ICs.

G.Skill's current lineup of Trident Z Royal Elite memory already consists of very fast memory, including 4266MHz, 4800MHz, and even 5333MHz kits. But what makes these new lower frequency kits so special is their super tight timings at CL14, which has proved to be the most optimal latency for superior gaming performance, as well as the best configuration for day-to-day tasks where latency is more important than memory bandwidth.

As the name implies, these Trident Z Royal Elite kits are decked out with super-aggressive styling: angled edges everywhere and a diamond-like finish for the RGB lighting at the top. The Royal Elite kits come in silver or gold colors, naturally.

These kits will come within two configurations for memory frequency, 4000mhz and 3600mhz. The tightest timings will come with the 3600MHz kit at 14-14-14-34, and the 4000MHz at 14-15-15-35. However, in order to hit these crazy fast latencies, the memory kits will run at very high voltages, of 1.45v for the 3600Mhz kits and 1.55v for the 4000MHz kits. 

While we don't know prices yet, with these timings you can expect to pay top dollar, as should be obvious from the name alone. These memory kits will be available for purchase sometime in June of 2021.

G.Skill has announced a special edition of the brand's Trident Z memory that currently ranks as one of the best RAM kits on the market. The new Trident Z Maverik arrives as one of the key components for MSI's latest MPG Gaming Maverik bundle.

G.Skill hasn't drastically changed the Trident Z Maverik's design. The memory maintains G.Skill's distinctive tri-fin aluminum heat spreader with eye-catching RGB lighting, but the memory vendor did slightly redo part of the heat spreader to blend in with MSI's industrial-looking theme.

Available only as part of the MPG Gaming Maverik bundle, MSI combines two Trident Z Maverik 16GB memory modules into a dual-channel setup. The memory modules are binned for DDR4-3600 with 18-22-22-42 timings. They're rated for 1.35V and leave some overhead for memory clocking or optimization.

MSI's MPG Gaming Maverik bundle is practically an entire system, so it's weird that the company refers to it as a bundle. At any rate, the bundle is comprised of Intel's Core i7-11700K (Rocket Lake) processor, MSI's own MPG Z590 Gaming Edge WiFi SP motherboard, MPG CoreLiquid K360 SP liquid cooler and MPG Velox 100 AirFlow SP case.

The MPG Gaming Maverik bundle will be available this month in limited quantities. MSI hasn't revealed the pricing for the bundle.

G.Skill's Trident Z Royal family just welcomed a new member. The Trident Z Royal Elite retains the same luxurious aesthetics as its predecessor and will contend for a spot on our list of the best RAM.

The Trident Z Royal Elite, which is available in both gold and silver colors, features the same polished alumimum heat spreader as the vanilla Trident Z Royal. However, G.Skill has revamped the design a bit. The heat spreader on the Trident Z Royal Elite flaunts a gorgeous crystalline pattern that does justice to the crystalline RGB light bar. According to G.Skill, the new heat spreader is product of 76 chiseled facets.

While the outside looks different, the Trident Z Royal Elite is manufactured with the same recipe as G.Skill's other high-end offerings. The memory comes equipped with a 10-layer PCB for stability and hand-picked memory ICs (integrated circuits) for the best performance.

G.Skill Trident Z Royal Elite Specifications

G.Skill isn't tailoring the Trident Z Royal Elite portfolio to slower memory frequencies. The memory starts at DDR4-3600 and peaks at DDR4-5333 to rip through even the most taxing RAM benchmarks. Capacity will depend on the memory frequency of your choosing, but generally-speaking, the Trident Z Royal Elite comes in densities between 16GB (2x8GB) and 64GB (2x32GB or (4x16GB).

Despite its high data rate, the DDR4-5333 memory kit comes with acceptable memory timings that are configured to 22-32-32-52. The memory kit is restricted to a 16GB (2x8GB) capacity though and pulls 1.6V, which might scary many users.

The DDR4-3600 memory kit is the only one that arrives with a 128GB (4x16GB) capacity. The memory kit sports 16-19-19-39 timings, but only requires 1.35V so there's definitely overclocking headroom.

The Trident Z Royal Elite supports XMP 2.0 so users can just flip a switch to get the memory to run at its advertised speed. As is the norm with G.Skill products, the Trident Z Royal Elite is backed with a limited liftetime warranty.

G.Skill didn't reveal the pricing for the Trident Z Royal Elite memory kits. However, we'll know very soon as the memory is scheduled to hit the retail market next month.

It wouldn't be a processor launch without new memory kits. G.Skill has just announced some extremely fast ones for Intel's 11th Generation Rocket Lake processors and corresponding Z590 platform. The memory kits will contend for a spot on our Best RAM list, but pricing might be an issue.

The new memory kits hail from G.Skill's Trident Z Royal, Trident Z RGB and Ripjaws V families. These are not memory kits for the faint of heart. The frequencies range from DDR4-4266 to DDR4-5333 with capacities that are available between 16GB (2x8GB) up to 64GB (2x32GB). 

The fastest memory kit from the lot checks in at DDR4-5333 with timings configured to 22-32-32-52. The 16GB (2x8GB) memory kit requires a whopping DRAM voltage of 1.6V to hit the aforementioned frequency though. If capacity is a factor, G.Skill also offers a DDR4-5066 memory kit with tighter timings at a capacity of 32GB (2x16GB).

G.Skill Memory Kits For Intel Z590

If you're not shooting for world records or trying to smash RAM benchmarks, G.Skill's DDR4-4800 memory kit with 17-19-19-39 timings has a good balance between performance and tight timings. It comes in a dual-channel package with a capacity of 16GB. Similar to the DDR4-5333 offering, the DDR4-4800 memory kit also commands a 1.6V DRAM voltage. The DDR4-4600 memory kit isn't too shabby either. With a density of 64GB (2x32GB), the memory kit flaunts 20-30-30-50 timings and only requires 1.5V.

G.Skill didn't reveal the pricing for the new memory kits. However, they're scheduled to hit the market in the second quarter of this year. Given their impressive specifications and the fact that memory is expected to increase in pricing, we don't expect G.Skill's high-performance offerings to cost less than an arm and a leg.

High-speed memory kits are often associated with sloppy timings: Once you surpass that DDR4-4000 mark, it requires a lot of resources to cherry-pick the best integrated circuits (ICs) that meet the requirements. G.Skill is one of a handful of memory vendors willing to invest time and resources into bringing high-speed memory kits that aren't held back by loose timings to the enthusiast market.

G.Skill offers a wide variety of DDR4-4000 memory kits with densities that start at 16GB (2x8GB) and go up to an awe-spiring 128GB (4x32GB). The CAS latency timings on these kits generally span from C15 up to C19. On this occasion, we'll take a look at a DDR4-4000 C17 memory kit that hails from G.Skill's exclusive Trident Z Royal family.

While the distinctive tri-fin design still remains, the Trident Z Royal looks more like a piece of jewelry than computer memory. The aluminum heat spreader, which features a gold or silver paint job, now comes with a beautiful mirror finish. It's a complete delight to look at for sure, but the shiny surface is a dust and fingerprint magnet. G.Skill was considerate enough to provide a small microfiber cloth for cleaning the memory modules, so you don't scratch the surface.

Despite the drastic makeover, the Trident Z Royal still measures 44mm (1.73 inches) tall. G.Skill replaced the boring light bar with one that flaunts a crystalline design. The eight-zone RGB lighting remains untouched. As usual, you have the option to control the Trident Z Royal's illumination with either the provided Trident Z Lighting Control software or through your motherboard's software, including Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

There are no surprises here. Given that each memory module is 16GB, they feature a dual-rank configuration. G.Skill uses a custom 10-layer PCB in tandem with high-quality Samsung K4A8G085WB-BCPB (B-die) ICs to assure very tight timings.

When your system posts for the first time, you'll find the Trident Z Royal memory kit at DDR4-2133 with 15-15-15-36 timings. At this point, you can either set up the memory modules manually, or by enabling the XMP profile. In either case, the Trident Z Royal is certified to run at DDR4-4000 with a 1.4V DRAM voltage and 17-18-18-38 timings. For more on timings and frequency considerations, see our PC Memory 101 feature, as well as our How to Shop for RAM story.

Comparison Hardware

Our Intel test system for RAM benchmarks consists of an Intel Core i7-10700K and Asus ROG Maximus XII Apex on the 0707 firmware. On the opposite end, the AMD testbed leverages an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 and ASRock B550 Taichi with the 1.30 firmware. The MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio handles the graphical duties on both platforms.

Intel Performance

The Trident Z Royal was the best performer on the Intel platform, whether it be application or gaming performance. The memory kit demonstrated its superiority in the individual tests, placing first in most of them.

AMD Performance

Unfortunately, the Trident Z Royal kit struggled on the AMD platform due to the nature of the Zen 2 microarchitecture. The inability to run the memory modules with the processor's Infinity Fabric clock (FCLK) and memory clock (MCLK) in a 1:1 ratio led to added latency. As a result, the Trident Z Royal trailed behind its DDR4-3600 rivals. Bear in mind, tuning the kit to a 1:1 fabric/memory ratio will yield better results. 

Overclocking and Latency Tuning

We suspect that G.Skill binned this particular Trident Z Royal memory kit close to the borderline of its capacity. Even at 1.45V, we could only push it to DDR4-4133 with timings at 18-19-19-39.

Lowest Stable Timings

On the contrary, we had better luck at optimizing the timings at the advertised DDR4-4000 frequency. A small 0.05V increase to the DRAM voltage was sufficient for us to reduce the XMP timings from 17-18-18-38 down to 15-16-16-36, which represents a major increase in performance.

Bottom Line

While aesthetics is a subjective matter, the Trident Z Royal DDR4-4000 C17's strong performance is unquestionable. A bit of fine-tuning can even take the memory kit to another level. While we can't speak for every single kit, our sample was stable with very tight timings with just a small bump in the DRAM voltage. A CAS Latency of 15 is no joke, considering that we are dealing with DDR4-4000 speeds here.

There's one important aspect to take into consideration with the Trident Z Royal DDR4-4000 C17, though. The memory kit evidently performs at its highest on the Intel platform. Zen 2 processors will have a very hard if not impossible time to run these memory modules in a 1:1 ratio between the FCLK and MCLK. Zen 2 chips typically support up to 1,800 MHz on the FCLK (DDR4-3600), with the really spectacular samples doing a bit higher. The latest Zen 3 parts, on the other hand, have a higher chance of exploiting the Trident Z Royal memory kit as hitting a 2,000 MHz FCLK (DDR4-4000) isn't a given, but it's more common. That's really the sweet spot for this kit on a Ryzen platform. 

The Trident Z Royal DDR4-4000 C17 is a high-end memory kit, and it's priced like one. It retails for $289.99 and represents a good purchase if you want a fast memory kit that doesn't hinder your equally high-end system.

G.Skill has expanded the brand's Trident Z Neo with a couple of new memory kits that are optimized for AMD's Ryzen 5000 processors, which have officially gone on sale today.

The Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 C14, which is one of the best in its class, was only previously available in 16GB (2x8GB) kits. It will certainly come as music to enthusiasts' ears that G.Skill has finally decided to offer the memory kit in 32GB (2x16GB) and 64GB (4x16GB) flavors for the more demanding consumers. Despite the increase in density, the primary timings and operating voltage remain untouched at 14-15-15-35 and 1.45V, respectively.

With today's announcement, G.Skill also brings the first DDR4-3800 C14 memory kit to the market and with a capacity of 32GB (2x16GB) at that. Although the memory kit requires a DRAM voltage of 1.5V, it does flex impressive low timings of 14-16-16-36.

G.Skill Trident Z Neo Specifications

For enthusiasts eager to push their Ryzen 5000 processor, the higher-clocked Trident Z Neo DDR4-4000 memory kits are exactly what the doctor ordered. If you don't know by now, some remarkable Ryzen 5000 samples can support a Infinity Fabric clock (FCLK) up to 2,000 MHz, meaning you can leverage DDR4-4000 memory without infringing the 1:1 ratio with the memory clock (MCLK).

The DDR4-4000 variants of the Trident Z Neo come with CAS Latency values that span from 16 to 18, depending on the capacity that you need. Performance wise, the memory kits might not match G.Skill's existing DDR4-4000 C15 offerings. However, they should be easier on the pockets in comparison to their faster counterparts.

The latest Trident Z Neo memory kits won't be available globally until the end of this month, therefore, G.Skill hasn't revealed the pricing for them yet.

As you speed up memory, you need to back off on the timings to ensure stability, which typically results in unchanged real-world latency. But what if you want to keep the quick timings and translate this into lower real-world latency? To do this, you'll need higher quality DRAM, which is exactly what G.Skill has used in its new memory kits.

The kits G.Skill is introducing today all share the same spec sheet, featuring either 32 GB or 64 GB total, spread over two or four 16 GB DDR4-3600 modules. At 3600 MHz, the modules are rated to operate at CL14-15-15-35 timings, which G.Skill accomplished by using Samsung B-die ICs. 

G.Skill did not specify the voltage required to run these modules, though we expect these to need more than the DDR4 JEDEC spec of 1.2V. Expect 1.35V, or possibly higher. But, that's not something you need to worry about, as the modules all include an XMP 2.0 profile that sets all the clocks, timings, and voltages for you, assuming you don't forget to enable it.

Other than that, there isn't much more information. The modules will come in the Trident Z Neo, Trident Z Royal, Trident Z RGB, and Ripjaws V flavors. No word on pricing yet.

Adding the best RAM to your PC is a little bit easier thanks to this Prime Day deal. As of right now, you can pick up 32GB of the G.Skill Ripjaws V Series RAM, separated into two 16GB DIMMS, for just $99 at Newegg.

These modules are DDR4 and can operate as fast as 3200MHz. They have a timing of 16-16-16-36 and a voltage of 1.35V.

The kit comes with two 288-pin 16GB modules. Each stick stands only 42mm tall when inserted, so you have plenty of extra room for additional hardware.

As of right now, this deal is posted without any expiration date. Visit the G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB product page at Newegg for more details and purchase options.