DDR5 SDRAM is the official abbreviation for ‘Double Data Rate 5 Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory’. It is the generation 5 SDRAM. DDR5 ram is planned to reduce power consumption while doubling the bandwidth compared to its predecessor DDR4 SDRAM. It will have about the same latency as DDR4 and DDR3.
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DDR5 Ram Features, Specifications – Everything You Need to Know
Since the news of another DDR has been announced, it naturally makes huge amounts of interest from both enthusiasts and professionals alike. We usually see tech and enthusiasts forums come with informative posts querying the needs and specifications of the latest DDR5 RAM. That is why we have decided to share every feature and specifications that you need to know about.
DDR4 vs DDR5
New generations RAM modules always had been better then there predecessor. Developers are promising some interesting facts about DDR5 and they have been quoted saying the latest RAM modules will have twice the performance of last-gen DDR4-3200 MHz RAM. That sounds great, but what exactly twice the performance means?
Well, if you say in short, the new RAM modules will offer the double density and double speed comparing to 1st gen DDR4-3200 RAM module. That basically means DDR5 will be able to accommodate 32GB in the same space where DDR4 maxes out at 16GB per stick. We also believe that DDR5 will be able to reach to at least 6400 MHz in consumer option. It will be a perfect combination of new AMD APU’s and CPU’s as they thrive on higher speed memory.
Specifications
Independent trade and standards body (JEDEC) still has not announced any official specifications for DDR5, even though it is been working on it for years. We have an official standard for Low power DDR5 (LPDDR5) that doubles the base speed from 3,200MT/s to 6400 MT/s.
These low power DDR5 modules are used in Smartphone and tablets that require less power than the standard DDR5 modules. But if we compare it with the standard one, we can at least assume that DDR5 will operate at up to 6,400MT/s.
Power Consumption
DDR5 will eventually have a wide range of different frequencies and timing options. What we do know now is SK Hynix’s first DDR5 module will operate at 6.4 GB/s on each pin while requiring 1.1V, as TechSpot reported in February.
On the other side, Samsung’s 10nm LPDDR5 module can be run at 1.05v with 7.5GB/s speed. Point to be noted that DDR4 modules typically needed between 1.2 or 1.4 volts and even higher in overclock boosts. So we will be able to see an impressive reduction in power requirements while using DDR5.
Capacity
As we mentioned earlier, DDR5 is expected to have double density compared to DDR4. That means we will be able to see single sticks of DDR5 RAM modules with up to 32GB capacities. It will allow greater memory module sizes in smaller form-factor systems.
We also may see 6 x 32GB kits in the future for large work stations. But more importantly, we can see 64GB in two-stick kicks, which would be perfect for smaller systems and motherboards with limited DIMM slots.
DDR5 Release Date
Back in March of 2017 JEDEC announced that DDR5 was being worked on and should be released in 2018. Later than to November 2018, SK Hynix finally announced the first-ever DDR5 compliant RAM module, which they in turn said would be available to consumers within 2020.
Since then, SK Hynix had come out with some good news about DDR5 Ram module. They said that it will be officially released by the end of 2019, whether that actually happens though is another story completely. Combining with the new AMD’s 4th generation APUs and CPUs, it will have a great demand for the higher memory bandwidth.
DDR5 Price & Availability
There is always speculation surrounding new hardware prices and DDR5 is no different. Unfortunately, we currently do not know any information about the price of the new DDR5 Ram Modules. But what we do know now, based on the previous evidence about new hardware, is it’s going to be more expensive than its predecessor DDR4.
It is not a big surprise as DDR5 is giving twice the performance of DDR4. We should mention that higher-end DDR4 modules can go for upwards of $200. Now we think you can guess the price of DDR5.
About availability, well it is again an unfortunate story to tell as we do not know much about this. We will likely to be seeing DDR5 Ram modules coming on the mobile market first which is the ‘Low Power DDR5’. Maybe Samsung or Micron will be the first to introduce it to the market. After the release of LPDDR5, it’ll be a good benchmark for what we can expect for desktop PC variations.
SK Hynix has stated that 25% of all memory market sales will be represented by DDR5 in 2020 and by 2021 they expect over 40% respectively. This gives us a good indication of how much the RAM is going to cost as they believe DDR4 is still going to have a major part to play in the memory game.
Related Article: 15 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 of 2020
DDR5: Worth it?
It is a tough question as we do not anything about the pricing of DDR4 RAM modules. As we all know, upgrading RAM modules is the least effective way to achieve great performance for your system. So it maybe will worth it as DDR5 offers double the performance of DDR4.
AMD CPU’s literally thrive when paired with speedier RAM. That means the new 6400MHz DDR5 RAM modules will be the greatest choice for AMD APUs and CPUs. Especially it will be the welcome one as the new 4th generation AMD APUs and CPUs are on their way to be released soon in early 2021. This being said, we are not fully aware of what hardware is going to be fully compatible with the new modules either.
Enclosures
That is all the information that you need to know about the new DDR5 RAM modules. We are eagerly waiting to see how fascinating the next generation RAM modules will be. Will it make a huge difference, or will it be the same? For now, we all have to play the waiting games.
