24/48/96 RAM kits. Why? What do I need to know?

[nightwish]

Since I last looked at DDR5 RAM, there are now a bunch of new sizes of RAM kits: 24GB, 48GB and 96GB. Is there a specific reason for these new sizes? Are there specific scenarios in which they should, or shouldn't, be used? Can/should RAM sizes be mixed? For example, a 16GB kit with a 24GB kit? Or do they just provide a bit more flexibility for total RAM amounts?

 

[JollyJamma]

Since I last looked at DDR5 RAM, there are now a bunch of new sizes of RAM kits: 24GB, 48GB and 96GB. Is there a specific reason for these new sizes? Are there specific scenarios in which they should, or shouldn't, be used? Can/should RAM sizes be mixed? For example, a 16GB kit with a 24GB kit? Or do they just provide a bit more flexibility for total RAM amounts?

They exist because people need various amounts of RAM.

You can’t mix the RAM without dropping down to single channel which is a very bad idea for DDR5 as it relies on memory bandwidth to overcome an increase in latency.

If you’re not looking to overclock and just want X gigs of RAM to cover gaming, get a 32gig kit of 6000 MT/s with a very low CAS latency (32 or less) for AMD and (roughly) 7200 MT/s for Intel but it won’t make much difference to the average person given that there will likely be bottlenecks elsewhere in the system.

Going for 8000 MT/s RAM won’t net you that much more performance, is expensive and would require tinkering.

Do not run a 4 DIMM memory config, it can work but for technical reasons, is very difficult and would require a lot of tinkering and running 2 RAM modules just works fine.

The only thing I’d say is that a 48gig kit of Hynix M die would likely work on a lot of systems given that it puts less stress on the IMC but, again, that’s going into manual DDR5 overclocking territory and don’t worry too much.

I will link to Buildzoids memory buying advice that is on this forum under a separate thread. Pick from one of those kits.

 

[nightwish]

Hummm, right, so one concrete advantage, if you needed a lot of RAM, is that you can have 96GB with only two sticks (or 192GB with 4, if sheer quantity is all that's important to you). Beyond that, it sounds like it's not much different, just different sizes. Good to know, thanks.

 

[JollyJamma]

Hummm, right, so one concrete advantage, if you needed a lot of RAM, is that you can have 96GB with only two sticks (or 192GB with 4, if sheer quantity is all that's important to you). Beyond that, it sounds like it's not much different, just different sizes. Good to know, thanks.

Yes and I think the 24gig sized modules were only there because when DDR5 launched, it was expensive so people who needed more than 32gigs but couldn't afford 64gigs were catered for but that's only a hunch.

You do get a slight performance bump as you go for the higher capacities due to the increase in bandwidth but RAM isn't really worth stressing about unless you're an XOC or enthusiast who needs to do a specific thing with the RAM.

If you're a gamer, get fast enough RAM at a certain capacity and enjoy your gaming.

 

[JollyJamma]

The best memory chips are.
Hynix 16Gb A-die: Speeds of 8000Mbps and higher are possible if your CPU/mobo are good enough. Similar timings to 16Gb M-die



Hynix 16Gb M-die: Tends to max out between 7200 and 7600Mbps similar timings to 16Gb A-die



Hynix 24Gb M-die: Even higher clocking than 16Gb A-die. Slightly looser timings



2x16GB ===============================================



Warning if you see a memory kit with a spec like: 6400 36-46-46-100 @ 1.4V it's almost certainly using cut down 24Gb Micron ICs which don't OC very well so don't buy it unless it's really cheap. Corsair seems to have a lot of these high speed loose Micron kits.



TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL46 Memory (CTCCD532G5600HC46DC01)
//should always be Hynix 16Gb A-die. Manually tuning this is way more cost effective than buying high speed (7200+) XMP kits and hoping that they work. Great for both AMD and intel. The stock performance kinda sucks because it's just JEDEC spec.



Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL40 Memory (RFBB5-60C40K2/32)
//should be Hynix most of the time but can also be Samsung.



G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (F5-6000J3040F16GX2-RS5K)
//Great for Ryzen if you just want to turn on EXPO/XMP(AM5 boards are able to read XMP)



G.Skill Flare X5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL32 Memory (F5-6000J3238F16GX2-FX5)
//Great for Ryzen if you just want to turn on EXPO/XMP(AM5 boards are able to read XMP)



PROXMEM KERBEROS 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL38 Memory (PGD5U64A38XX7-K0WC)
// Another Hynix based option. Will need an underclock on Ryzen.



OLOy Blade RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL32 Memory (ND5U1660320BRKDE)
// Another Hynix based option.



Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (CMK32GX5M2B6000C30)
// Another Hynix based option.



Patriot Venom RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6200 CL40 Memory (PVVR532G620C40K)
//should be Hynix



GeIL Polaris RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL38 Memory (GOSG532GB6400C38ADC)
// Another Hynix option



TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6800 CL34 Memory (FF4D532G6800HC34BDC01)
//Highest XMP speed I'd expect to work on all 13th gen chips. A lot of 12th gen won't run it.



I don't recommend 7200 or higher rated kits because the stability is too RNG.



2x24GB ==============================================



G.Skill Ripjaws S5 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-6000 CL40 Memory (F5-6000J4048F24GX2-RS5K)
// Can be 24Gb Micron so don't expect it to overclock much but at least it's not expensive



G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 48 GB (2 x 24 GB) DDR5-7200 CL36 Memory (F5-7200J3646F24GX2-TZ5RK)
// Has to be Hynix 24Gb M-die. Great for hitting very high mem clocks on intel



2x32GB ===============================================



TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-5600 CL46 Memory (CTCCD564G5600HC46DC01)
// Should always be Hynix. So a cost effective option if you overclock it.



TEAMGROUP T-Create Classic 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL48 Memory (CTCCD564G6000HC48DC01)
// Should always be Hynix. So a cost effective option if you overclock it.



G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory (F5-6000J3040G32GX2-RS5K) -
// Hynix with a strong profile for both Ryzen and intel



Corsair Vengeance 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6600 CL32 Memory (CMK64GX5M2B6600C32) -
// strong XMP for intel 13th gen that shouldn't cause stability problems



2x48GB ===============================================



G.Skill Ripjaws S5 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-5600 CL40 Memory (F5-5600J4040D48GX2-RS5K)
//Should be Hynix 24Gb M-die. Might also be Micron.



G.Skill Trident Z RGB 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory (F5-6400J3239F48GX2-TZ5RK)
// has to be Hynix 24Gb M-die. Should be a strong overclocker. Might also work at 6000 on Ryzen.



I have 0 experience with quad rank DDR5 setups(4x32 and 4x48GB) and don't recommend them since they put way too much load on the memory controller.

Source: https://www.patreon.com/posts/what-ddr5-to-buy-84547490

Pick from one of those kits and enjoy your well balanced rig.