DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM: What’s the difference?

Overclocking has also been improved, and Intel has updated DDR5's XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) to 3.0. XMP 2.0 only supports two profiles, while the latest version has five. Three of them are set by the memory manufacturer, and the other two are for you to adjust and edit your own settings. If you're curious what these configuration files look like, Intel hosts a spreadsheet with common manufacturer settings.

You may have noticed that DDR5 memory has slightly slower latency than DDR4, despite a higher overall clock speed. But that doesn't tell the whole story, as memory manufacturer Corsair explains, “DDR4 typically has a CAS latency of 16, while DDR5 has a CAS latency of at least 32. However, due to its faster clock speed, the newer standard Better performance overall. “In other words, it takes more cycles to complete a task, but those cycles are much faster than before.

Real nerd stuff

There are a few other changes to the DDR5 standard that don't really affect which slot you install on a particular PC.

DDR5 memory should use less power overall than DDR4, although this doesn't allow you to use a smaller power supply. Instead, it gives manufacturers and overclockers more voltage headroom to push higher speeds. Now, each DDR5 memory also has its own power management chip, instead of the motherboard handling power distribution. Again, this may not matter to most people, but it should result in a more consistent experience when using XMP profiles.

You can also get higher bandwidth due to significant changes in the basic architecture of memory DIMMs. Each DDR4 module relies on one 64-bit channel, while DDR5 has two 32-bit channels. Memory maker Crucial says that combined with the increased speed and efficiency, “users can get up to 2x the system bandwidth compared to DDR4 on next-generation multi-core CPUs.”

Close-up of the socket that supports the on-board random access memory computer chip

Some manufacturers also mention Error Correcting Code (ECC), which is now present on DDR5 memory. This is slightly different from ECC on DDR4, which is an extra module on the chip for server or commercial use. Instead of helping a bunch of different memory chips communicate reliably, it corrects errors on individual banks before sending them to the motherboard. Commercial memory manufacturer ATP has an in-depth explanation of how this technology works, beyond what you'll need for your gaming computer (if you're interested in that).

Too many to remember?

If you're building a new PC, chances are your motherboard supports DDR5, so you should buy it. The only reason a new build would need DDR4 memory is if you're exclusively using older parts to keep costs down. You're more likely to choose DDR4 because you're upgrading an existing system.

In the early days of release, you might have paid twice as much for DDR5 as DDR4, but with wider adoption, prices have stabilized and they'll look pretty recognizable to anyone who bought memory before the update.