The speed of RAM when we talk about an AMD platform has long been somewhat complicated; It is well known that AMD has always had problems with the memory controller of its processors, but they have been working on improving it for a long time and this is reflected in the new Ryzen 5000. Now, what speed of RAM is the most suitable for Ryzen 5000 processors to run stably? It’s complicated, but AMD’s own Robert Hallock has explained it to us and in this article we leave it to you.
Choosing the most suitable RAM speed for each processor can be a world, and it is not as easy as saying “my motherboard supports DDR4 at 4,000 MHz so I’m going to install RAM at that speed and that’s it.” The memory controller is integrated into the processor and its performance and stability depend on it, because as you may well know, at higher speeds, the more complicated it is to maintain good stability in the system and even if the manufacturer of your motherboard says that it supports high RAM memory. speed, sometimes this is not the case because it depends on the processor and not just the motherboard.
What RAM speed is the best for the AMD Ryzen 5000?
According to Robert Hallock, the maximum RAM speed that can work in the Ryzen 5000 with the FCLK in 1: 1 ratio is DDR4 at 4,000 MHz . A 2,000 MHz FCLK is for the Ryzen 5000 the same as a 1,900 MHz FCLK on the Ryzen 3000 Series; AMD has not changed the memory controller of its processors (compared to the Ryzen 3000), but it has raised the speed “ceiling” by 100 MHz.
Hallock cautions, however, that not all 4,000 MHz RAM will work properly with the Ryzen 5000, this speed is simply the maximum that can be achieved without overclocking it (that is, maintaining the FCLK 1: 1). In the next updates of AGESA, he promises, they will implement additional adjustments that will facilitate that these 2,000 MHz can be reached, and yet they cannot give the guarantee that all the RAM will achieve it, it is not a safe bet.
The best price / performance ratio for RAM in AMD Ryzen 5000 processors is DDR4 at 3,600 MHz , according to Hallock, as this RAM is the “sweet spot” since the kits are inexpensive, widely available, work well, and have good compatibility. Are they the best in all categories? No, but 3,600 MHz is a good bet because they have the best performance / price ratio at the moment, especially for users who do not want to complicate their lives and who are looking to simply plug and play. It is not the best possible RAM memory that we can install, but it is the one that will give us the least complications .
But 3,200 MHz RAM is the most used, right?
Currently, the 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM memory kits are the best sellers and therefore the most used, partly because for some reason they are the most manufactured and sold and, therefore, in which the best offers we can find in stores. Hallock also answered this question: “If I bought 3,200 MHz memory, was I wrong?” The answer is a resounding no, as 3,200 MHz DDR4 generally has a very tight performance that doesn’t lag far behind other mid-range 3,600 MHz memory.
In other words, if you have a 3,200 MHz RAM and want to take advantage of it with the new Ryzen 5000 processors, it is not that you are going to be losing too much performance to make the jump to higher speed RAM worth it, since in fact this RAM usually has enough room to overclock if you want.
In fact, Hallock also said that RAM between 3,600 and 3,800 MHz is the one that will give the best results for overclocking, as it happened with the Ryzen 3000. The times of these memories are quite aggressive and it is something that can be achieved without too much difficulty overclocking 3,200 MHz memories.
