ddr4 vs ddr5 performance comparison

DDR5 memory modules are now available for AMD’s Ryzen 6000 series and Intel’s 12th-generation Core processors. The new memory generation will also be supported by AMD’s 7000 series processors. DDR5 memory will be incredibly popular in the months to come, so we’ll probably see a lot of it. DDR5 is bringing a lot of upgrades to the market. But some have a greater impact than others. The improvements all stem from the desire to improve performance. So how much can we expect from these improvements? If DDR5 is a worthwhile upgrade plan, what’s new compared to DDR4. DDR4 vs DDR5 performance comparison involve features such as the bandwidth, speed, CAS latency and other timing parameters. DDR5 is better in most cases though with a small margin.

Throughout this article, we will discuss the differences between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. We’ll have a look at the specifications to see how they differ so that we can highlight the key differences. Our aim will be to understand what the performance differences between them are. We will also be able to tell which should be put into consideration when building a gaming PC.

bandwidth comparison

The bandwidth of DDR5-4800 C40 is 112% higher than that of DDR4-2133 C15 compared to the baseline. The DDR4-3200 C22 model also delivers 46% less bandwidth compared to DDR5-4800 C40. A 19% margin was observed for DDR5-4800 C40 versus DDR4-4000 C16. Among the four, the DDR5-6400 C36 is the fastest – it just fell short of 100 GBps by 26.43 GBps in Sandra 2022.

The performance of DDR5 has improved tremendously, although its latency has worsened.Considering that DDR5 has more permissive timings, this is not surprising.As a result, even standard DDR4-2133 C15 was 5% faster than DDR5-4800 C40.When using DDR4-3200 C22, the margin increased to 17%.

For DDR4-3200 C22 to match DDR5-6400 C36, the transfer rate had to be raised from 3200 to 6400. At the same time, DDR4-4000 C16 performed 13% faster than DDR4-6400 C36.

Also related: best RAM for gaming laptops

Read more on the best DDR4 RAM for Dell laptop.

DDR5 Performance

We measured the performance of DDR4-2133 C15 and DDR4-3200 C22 and found that the DDR5-4800 C40 measured 14% and 19% faster, respectively, than the DDR4-2133 C15 and the DDR4-3200 C22.Our comparison to DDR4 showed a smaller performance gap.A speed difference of only 9% between DDR5-4800 C40 and DDR4-3200 C15 was recorded.DDR5-4800 C40’s advantage dwindles to 5% when we go up to DDR4-4000 C16.

A simple comparison of DDR5-6400 C36 and DDR4-4000 C16 shows that DDR5-6400 C36 is 11% faster. Therefore, if you use DDR4-4000 C14, you can reduce the difference even further. But, sadly, our Ballistix memory kit failed to perform to the standard we were hoping for.

There is no doubt that DDR5’s higher bandwidth will not benefit every type of workload. Imagine, for example, that you are using Microsoft Office to do your everyday tasks. There was only a 4% difference between the best (DDR5-6000 C36) and the worst (DDR4-2133 C15).

Performance benefits also vary with more specialized workloads. Our sample comparison was between the fastest DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits in Adobe Lightroom (DDR4-4000 C16 vs. DDR5-6400 C36). According to our results, DDR5 is 28% faster than DDR4. While Adobe Photoshop (DDR4-3200 C15 vs. DDR5-6400 C36) and Adobe Premiere (DDR4-3600 C16 vs. DDR5-5600 C36) both showed no increase, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere improved by less than 1% and 3%, respectively.

There will be a boom in compression jobs with DDR5. In comparison with DDR4-4000 C16, DDR5-4800 C40 performed 46% faster. Despite these improvements, higher data rates did not yield the same results. The DDR5-6400 C36 was 14 percent faster than the DDR5-4800 C40, for example.

The DDR5-6400C36 was 25% faster than its predecessor – DDR4-4000C16 – in the y-cruncher as well.

DDR5 Gaming Performance

Most modern gaming computers have plenty of memory and processor power, but the graphics card is often the bottleneck. That’s evident from the DDR5 tests. Between DDR4-2133 C15 and DDR5-6400 C36, the difference in gaming performance was only about 8%. We experienced a 2% decrease in performance once we moved from DDR5-6400 C36 to DDR4-3200 C15.

By comparing the best DDR4 and DDR5 performance for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, we found that there was a 3% difference. Watch Dogs: Legion, Far Cry 6, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Breakpoint, and Borderlands 3 all had a 2% difference. This is a 1% difference between Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

Major differences between DDR4 and DDR5 RAM

Data rate and clock rate are two measures of SDRAM speed, and a few key terms can help make sense of them. MT/s is used when indicating RAM data rate in official documents or when major manufacturers unveil new products. Commercial listings don’t use this measurement nearly as often, and if you’ve ever bought RAM before, you’re probably familiar with the standard naming convention of “DDR4-3200MHz.”.

What does the “3200MHz” number mean here? The MHz measurement has sort of informally become the go-to for the data rate as well. This is why we typically see advertised DDR4 RAM clock speeds ranging from 1,600MHz to 3,200MHz (MT/s). DDR4 clock speeds usually range from 800MHz to 1,600MHz.Therefore, you can understand why DDR is called “double data rate.”.

The bus can transfer data at both ends of a clock cycle, increasing the MT/s rate by two. These numbers can be pushed higher by overclocking, and there are some outstanding products that are available at higher speeds, such as the Corsair Vengeance LPX.

The clock and data rates of DDR5 are higher than those of DDR4. There are generally three DDR5 data rate ranges: 4,800MHz (MT/s), 8,400MHz (MT/s), and 9,600MHz (MT/s). As the technology matures, this last number is already rising. With DDR5, clock speeds range from 1,600MHz to 4,800MHz, continuing on where DDR4 leaves off.

Capacity, channels, and efficiency

Depending on the RAM’s capacity, each DIMM (also known as RAM stick) consists of multiple integrated circuits (or die). With DDR5, the die density is quadrupled from 16Gb to 64Gb, as opposed to 16Gb in DDR4. In other words, DDR5 RAM sticks offer significantly more capacity than DDR4 RAM sticks. DDR5 will be able to support sticks of RAM with capacities above 64GB as our need for memory grows.

DDR5 channel architecture is different from DDR4, even though their overall data width is the same. By allowing the CPU to simultaneously access the same RAM stick more than once, each DIMM now has two channels instead of one, improving efficiency. Comparing DDR5 to DDR4, DDR5 increases burst chop and burst length by twofold. Additionally, each DDR5 DIMM has dual channels, further enhancing performance.

The motherboard is responsible for managing the power of DDR4 RAM. It is different with DDR5, since the RAM sticks include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The result is that less power is wasted on DIMMs that do not require as much power. Moreover, the voltage of DDR5 is lower than that of DDR4. 1.2V to 1.1V is not a big change, but you’ll see the difference more quickly in smaller devices.

DDR5 real-world performance

DDR5 RAM promises some impressive performance gains on paper, but how do these translate in practice? A bunch of benchmarks were run on the RAM-master Rich Edmonds’ Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 and XPG Lancer DDR5, which have been reviewed on RAM-Master.

In our test, G.SKILL Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 RAM delivered a similar result to these two DDR5 kits. We found performance to be nearly identical apart from two tests. DDR4 and DDR5 have similar transfer rates, but there’s still little difference in their latency (C38 for Corsair and XPG DDR5). DDR5 technology is still in its infancy, and it will take a long time to reach the maturity that DDR4 enjoys at the moment.

How much faster is DDR4 than DDR5?

DDR4 vs. DDR5

DDR4 DDR5

Bandwidth 12800–25600 MB/s 38400–57600 MB/s

Transfer Rate 1600–3200 MT/s 4800–7200 MT/s

Base Frequency 800–1600 MHz 2400–3600 MHz

Effective Frequency 1600–3200 MHz 4800–7200 MHz

Will DDR5 improve performance?

Performance and data integrity have been improved greatly in DDR5 when compared to DDR4. While playing certain games, the increased memory speed (bandwidth) can help to increase the number of frames per second in order to improve the user experience. Of course, it will depend on the game being played that the performance can be improved.

Will I need a new motherboard for DDR5?

It was also confirmed that AMD will introduce motherboards with AM5 sockets that are compatible with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 RAM.

You will be able to use newer DDR5 RAM on motherboards that support the Ryzen 7000 series, unlike Intel’s Alder Lake series, which supports DDR4 RAM sticks.

availability, and pricing

DDR5 RAM is capable of supporting Intel’s 12th generation “Alder Lake” processors. Furthermore, it can also be used with Intel Core i5-12600K, Intel Core i7-12700K, Intel Core i9-12900K, and their KF variants. Although motherboards will only work with one type of RAM, these CPUs are also compatible with DDR4 RAM. If you buy a new motherboard, you should decide which RAM type you need.

It’s true that Intel’s 12th generation CPU socket has changed, so all 12th generation boards need to be updated. With our roundup of the best motherboards for the Intel Core i5-12600K, you’ll see that there are significant differences in prices between those with DDR4 and those with DDR5.

It is almost impossible to buy DDR5 RAM at the moment due to stock shortages. The cost is significantly higher than DDR4 RAM even when it is available. Again, the collection we compiled of the best DDR4 and DDR5 RAM for 12th Generation Intel CPUs highlights some of the price gaps.

A large budget and access to stock make DDR5 RAM a great investment right now. The ability to truly blow away DDR4 is one of the things that makes DDR5 attractive to many individuals. If you need DDR4 to keep up with your current DDR5 setup but are on a tighter budget, DDR4 high-end can do it. If you do not want to adopt DDR5 in its current state, you can choose from our list of the best DDR4 RAM.

DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM: Compatibility

In our article, we have mentioned a number of times that DDR5 memory is compatible only with the 12th-generation Intel Core processors currently available. Even the other mainstream CPUs in the lineup support DDR5. This includes the three unlocked parts – 12600K, 12700K and 12900K – but even the three unlocked parts are supported. AMD CPUs that are compatible with DDR5 have t been announced, but you might get them sooner rather than later.

Our CPUs were able to test both DDR4 and the above Intel chips thanks to their compatibility with DDR4 memory modules. However, you’ll need a specific motherboard that supports DDR4. There is a reason for this. All the Intel 600 series chipset motherboards, like the Z690, H670, B660, and H610, support either DDR5 or DDR4 memory, not both. When it comes to buying a motherboard for your Alder Lake-based desktop PC, you’ll need to decide which standard you’re going to stick with for the foreseeable future.

AMD’s supported chipsets for the Ryzen 7000 series will handle memory compatibility differently depending on the chip. The 7000 series will launch closer to the end of the year, so more on that later.

DDR4 vs DDR5 RAM: Which one should you buy?

Our discussion on DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules includes some comparisons between the two along with some benchmark results. What should you buy for your next PC build, and which one should you buy? To answer that question, at least when I wrote this in early 2022, I was thinking that it depends on your PC build budget and how easy it is to get DDR5 RAM kits.

As part of the sale of DDR5 RAM kits, Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 is available. 6000MHz is the maximum speed of this particular module.

With the 12th-generation Intel Alder Lake motherboards supporting only one memory standard, upgrading from DDR4 to DDR5 is only financially viable if you have the budget. We found a significant difference in price between the best DDR4 RAM kits and the best DDR5 RAM kits in our collection of the best. By the time you factor in the cost of the platform entry for DDR5, you will end up paying a lot more. Furthermore, DDR5 memory modules aren’t easy to come by.

Modules from the Gammix D30 DDR4 memory line from XPG come in a variety of flavors. There are 2666MHz to 3600MHz memory speeds available.

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Pin Layout and Notch

It is worth noting, however, that even though DDR5 retains 288 pins (albeit with different pinout configurations), the left-most notch (known as a key) has been moved—making DDR4 and DDR5 modules incompatible.

Therefore, using DDR5 memory will not operate in a slot that was designed in order to mount DDR4 memory (or vice versa), helping to eliminate the possibility of accidentally installing the wrong type of memory into an incompatible socket.

On-Module PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit)

In DDR4, motherboards were responsible for power management. The motherboard contains all circuitry necessary for power delivery and voltage regulation.

Due to power efficiency improvements, DDR5 now contains Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs) on the modules themselves.

An intelligent voltage regulator (that accepts direct 12V inputs from the motherboard) is what the DDR5 PMIC does.

As well as handling all the typical duties associated with controlling voltage ramps, levels, and monitoring current, it provides functionality like threshold protection, programmable power-on sequences, and error injection.

Higher Memory Bandwidth

Due to a feature called Decision Feedback Equalization, DDR5 is much faster than DDR4 (4800 MT/s) at the top end of its range.

In consequence, DDR5 modules now have a default speed of 4.8 Gbps, and can scale up to a maximum speed of 8.4 Gbps.

Independent Memory Sub-Channels

In the past, RAM was accessed via a single ring of data (64 data + 8 ECC) from a single module of RAM.

Although this design has some advantages, there are also some disadvantages, especially with the prevalence of multicore processors, which may be able to use additional channels to simultaneously access memory banks.

DDR4 vs DDR5 Channel Architecture

There are two independent addressable subchannels, even though the data bus width remains at 64.

As such, many processor cores can chat simultaneously without experiencing bottlenecks even if they are all communicating with a single memory module.

On-Die Error Correction Code (ODECC)

The more memory capacity you have, the more errors you generate.

There are intermittent streams of single-bit errors (a 0 flipping into a 1, for example), that affect the reliability of transmitted information.

In order to prevent these types of single-bit errors, ODECC, or On-Die Error Correction Codes, prevent data from leaving the chip with errors. Bit flips can be minimized, resulting in more reliable and secure data.

As ODECC only corrects errors within modules, it does not replace industry-standard ECC memory. Additionally, ECC memory is also capable of correcting errors outside the module; however, the additional 8 bits of error-correction code is still required per channel.

Lower Operating Voltage

DDR5 memory has another important improvement over DDR4: lower voltage requirements. The DDR4 memory demands 1.2V, while the DDR5 memory requires 1.1V.

An impressive 30% higher power efficiency is estimated by Samsung owing to a combination of improved performance and reduced power requirements.

DDR5 vs. DDR4 for Video Editing (Premiere Pro & Da Vinci Resolve)

A DDR5 kit seems worthwhile if you are doing video editing with Premiere Pro as your primary task. Let us see how this works out.

Even with DDR4, the Core i9 12900K typically outperforms the Ryzen 9 5950X on Puget’s Premiere Pro Benchmark, but with DDR5, that lead is significantly expanded.

The 12th gen Intel processor performance in Adobe Premiere Pro by Puget Systems

The performance of a DDR5-4800 CL40 kit, however, is only 2% better than that of a mainstream DDR4-3600 CL16 module.

This is not impressive in the slightest. Likewise, DDR5 doesn’t seem to impress here.

DaVinci Resolve has the same problem. Core i9 12900K is marginally better than Ryzen 9 5950X on DDR4 platform here. Nevertheless, Intel gains an obvious advantage when it uses DDR5 memory.

Is it Worth the Upgrade?

Is DDR5 worth buying in early 2022 with all the improvements it provides?

With Intel’s Alder Lake processors now being able to handle both memory generations, you will have to make a decision within the Intel build as to whether or not to go with a DDR5 motherboard or a DDR4 motherboard. The choice you make for your next upgrade is one you’ll be stuck with for a long time to come, so it is vital that you choose wisely.

Our recommenditions

We recommend choosing a relatively high-speed DDR4 memory kit that’s on a tight budget for a 12-generation Intel build. The card is capable of rivaling today’s DDR5 modules. There is a possibility of this change in the future depending on whether the stock of DDR5 will be available, if the price of this will change in the future, and whether there will be more mature kits with tighter timings in the future. We will certainly revisit this comparison in the future in order to see what has changed since the initial comparison was conducted. While we believe that a lot of money should be spent on M.2 SSDs, the best CPU coolers, the best PC cases, and more, there are still other components worth spending your money on as well.

Final thoughts on the DDR4 Vs ddr5 performance comparison

Therefore some games have high FPS when using DDR5 ram, and some of them have a higher FPS when using DDR4. There may be some issues with the game patches or hardware at the moment, so it’s not ready for gaming yet. Software and games that run on the hardware must still be optimized.

In the meantime, since no DDR5-capable processors are currently available, we won’t know when it will hit the mainstream market how it is performed. During the release of Call of Duty Ghost, the developer stated that it needed up to 6GB of RAM to run the game. In case you missed it, this was a statement that was taken out of context.

But a few days later, there was a torrent containing a patch that enabled the game to run on less than 6GB of RAM memory. Therefore, let’s see when the patch becomes available or anything else. We have ended our discussion of DDR4 vs DDR5. If you feel we left anything out, please let us know in the comments!