DDR4 Vs DDR5 Ram: We Tested Both

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Abde Manaf

At Tech4Gamers, I began as a comparison writer, analyzing GPU and CPU performance. Now, I focus on writing reviews and contributing to the best-ofs section, sharing personal insights after hands-on testing.

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Pros & Cons

DDR4 Vs DDR5 Ram: Major Differences

1. Capacity Improvements: DDR5 surpasses DDR4 with a 3200 MHz standard transfer speed, a substantial upgrade from DDR4’s range of 1600 to 3200 MT/s. DDR5 introduces a significant capacity boost, supporting up to 64 GB per stick compared to DDR4’s 32 GB.
2. Performance Boosts: DDR5 provides higher bandwidth, with first-gen DIMMs offering up to 4.8 GT/s and potential future upgrades to 8.4 GT/s, meeting the demand for increased memory bandwidth in multi-core systems.
3. Latency Changes: DDR5 exhibits decreased latency compared to DDR4, contributing to faster access times for routine tasks. Improved clock rates compensate for the higher CAS latency, ensuring efficient memory performance.
4. Power Efficiency: DDR5 achieves enhanced performance with lower voltage (1.1v), contributing to power efficiency. The inclusion of a Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) within DDR5 modules ensures efficient power usage.
5. Enhancements: DDR5 introduces Decision Feedback Equalization, higher burst lengths, and separate clock outputs per side, enabling higher IO speeds and data rates for improved memory utilization.

Debates over DDR4 RAM vs DDR5 RAM have plagued the internet since the introduction of the new standard, but does it hold water against the tried and trusted standard we’ve been on since 2015? This comparison will answer all your questions about these two memory standards.

DDR4 Vs DDR5 Ram: Productivity Benchmarks

Now that we’ve established a baseline with the performance of both types of RAM modules, this comparison will detail their performance in productivity scenarios. We’ve done this by creating a bottleneck-free test bench, the specifications of which are detailed below:

PC Specifications

• Processor: Intel i9-12900K
• Motherboard: ROG Maximus Z690 Hero (DDR5) & TUF Z690 Plus Wifi D4 DDR4)
• Graphics Card: GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FE
• SSD – XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE 2TB NVMe
• PSU – ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W
• CPU Cooler – Arctic Liquid Freezer II 420 – AIO Water Cooler

Cinebench R23

• As far as Cinebench is concerned, the answer is no. The outcomes of each configuration are virtually the same. Of course, this was to be anticipated, given this test does not place a heavy demand on the memory subsystem.

Blender

• There was a shift in the outcomes in the blender. Comparing the two DDR4 kits, they are pretty similar in performance. However, DDR5 is somewhat slower, albeit not by much.

Adobe Photoshop

• DDR4 improves noticeably in Photoshop from 3600 to 4800 MHz, but DDR5’s performance difference is less pronounced. Even the fastest DDR5 kit doesn’t significantly outperform slower DDR4 3600 modules.

   

DaVinci Resolve

• Let’s go on to DaVinci Resolve, where the activity is performed, and you’ll notice that everything is quite simple. Each memory configuration offers almost identical performance. Because the GPU becomes a major limiting factor.

Mozilla Compile

• However, code compilation is one case when total bandwidth is preferable. Time savings are drastically different across DDR4 modules operating at 3600 and 4800 Mhz and this tendency continues in DDR5 outcomes. 

Adobe Premiere Pro

• The 3600 to 4800 MHz gap is less apparent in Premiere than in Mozilla Compile. DDR4 results stay stable despite GPU importance, while high DDR5 latency may bottleneck graphics, particularly with a two-pass Variable Bitrate renderer.

DDR4 Vs DDR5 Ram: Gaming Performance

We’ll see how DDR5 fares in gaming. We’ll test ten games at various frequencies, starting with 3200 MHz CL14 DDR4 RAM and 5200 MHz CL38 DDR5 RAM, as in our previous comparison. All games were played at 1080p with RT and DLSS enabled when possible.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

• Between our two sticks of DDR4 RAM, CS: GO had an overall average framerate of 832 FPS, which is marginally lower than the 828 FPS average that our DDR5 kits had in terms of average framerates.
• As for the 1% lows, the two DDR4 kits had an average of 521 FPS, almost identical to the average we saw with our DDR5 kits of around 520 FPS.

Valorant

• DDR5 RAM was even further behind in our performance testing of Valorant, with an overall average framerate of only 445 FPS, while the DDR4 kits averaged a framerate of 486 FPS. 
• The 1% lows were no kinder to the newer RAM standard, with the DDR5 kits getting an overall average of around 239 FPS, while the DDR4 kits ran significantly smoother with an average closer to 261 FPS.

Far Cry 6

• Shifting gears to a first-person shooter, Far Cry 6 had an average framerate of 139 FPS in our testing of the DDR5 kits, while the DDR4 RAM had an average framerate of 143 FPS. 
• The lows averaged around 101 FPS on the DDR5 test bench, while the DDR4 RAM had an average of around 104 FPS.

Doom Eternal

• The last hope for our DDR5 RAM to make a comeback was Doom Eternal, where the average framerate of the DDR5 RAM was around 393 FPS, while the DDR4 kits had an overall average framerate of 392 FPS.
• As for the 1% lows, the DDR5 kits averaged a framerate of around 299 FPS, while the DDR4 RAM kits averaged minimums closer to 298 FPS, giving another slight victory to the DDR5 RAM.

Price To Performance Ratio

To evaluate the overall viability of both RAM types, this part of the comparison will look at the price-to-performance ratio of two popular RAM kits, the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 3600MHz and the G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 6000MHz.

DDR5 6000 (G.Skill Trident Z5 Series – $118) performed well in Mozilla Compile but at a cost of 0.2 dollars per second, raising cost-effectiveness concerns. Despite higher performance in Cinebench R23, it comes at a higher cost compared to DDR4.

In the Adobe Photoshop benchmark, DDR5 revealed a ratio of about 0.59 dollars for every second of render time, questioning the value proposition. These results emphasized the trade-off between improved capabilities and increased expenditure.

DDR4 3200 (Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro – $85) outperformed DDR5 6000 in cost-effectiveness across multiple benchmarks, showcasing its economical choice despite slightly lower performance overall.

Price And Availability

At the high end, the most expensive kits of DDR5 RAM are indeed more expensive than the most expensive kits of DDR4 RAM, but the prices of both products are more or less equal. There is still a small price premium for DDR5 RAM, but it will not be out of reach for most consumers in late January 2024.

What We Recommend

DDR5 RAM: DDR5 RAM offers superior bandwidth and capacity over DDR4, potentially enhancing performance. However, immediate transition may not be necessary as DDR4 systems remain reliable and DDR5 technology continues to evolve. Despite its benefits, DDR5 often exhibits high latency and minimal performance improvements in non-professional workloads.

DDR4 RAM: DDR4 RAM has provided stable performance for PCs built post-2015. Yet, the introduction of Intel’s 12th and 13th-gen CPUs and Ryzen 7000-series CPUs signals a shift towards DDR5 compatibility. 

To summarize, DDR4 RAM is still more than capable of giving adequate performance in gaming and professional workloads, but this standard’s dwindling compatibility would make most consumers better suited to buying the newer one.

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Abde Manaf

[Comparisons Expert]

Abdemanaf is a skilled creative writer who has been honing his craft since 2011. While initially working in different fields, he found a passion for technology and has been exploring the tech world since early 2015. Over the years, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the latest tech trends and product offerings by various companies.

Abdemanaf’s writing reflects his analytical mindset and ability to think critically. He has a knack for breaking down complex technical information into easily digestible pieces, making his articles engaging and accessible to readers from all backgrounds. In February 2022, he joined Tech4Gamers as a blog and product comparison writer, where he has been able to hone his skills further.

As a writer, Abdemanaf is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and trends, enabling him to provide readers with the most relevant and accurate information. He is always eager to learn more and is constantly seeking new challenges to improve his skills.

Get In Touch: manaf@tech4gamers.com