Crucial DDR review: Does Faster Memory Make a Real Difference?
Many people with high-performance computers wonder if they can improve their system's speed even more. This is especially true for those who use their PCs for demanding tasks like gaming, creating digital content, or working with artificial intelligence, such as running Large Language Models (LLMs). And we all know the first bottleneck in those memory-hungry tasks is memory performance.
Crucial has expanded its range of Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) modules, designed for both gamers and creators. So, can their sleek, new, faster DDR5 DIMMs truly make a noticeable difference?
Let's unpack them.
DDR5 Pro Memory Overclocking Gaming Edition:
These modules can reach speeds of up to 6,400 mega transfers per second (MT/s) and are available in kits of up to 64 gigabytes (GB), or as single 32GB modules.
They are compatible with the latest central processing units (CPUs) and offer stable overclocking with Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO.
DDR5 Classic DR RAM UDIMMs and SODIMMs:
These are now available in kits of up to 128GB, or as single 64GB modules, with speeds up to 5,600 MT/s.
They are suitable for a variety of tasks, including gaming.
DDR5 Pro DAM:
Also available in kits of up to 128GB, or as single 64GB modules, offering good value and compatibility with Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO.
They feature a solid design with a matte black heat spreader.
Testing the Performance
It's not just about raw speed. A memory upgrade can affect various aspects of a computer's performance, from how well it handles games to how smoothly it edits 4K videos. To determine if this upgrade is worthwhile, I conducted several tests.
The Test Setup:
I used a computer with an Intel Core i9-13900K CPU, an RTX 4090 graphics card, and 4 terabytes (TB) of storage.
I ensured that XMP was enabled in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) for optimal performance.
I upgraded from Corsair 5200 modules to Crucial Pro 6400 modules.
Performance Benchmarks:
I used AIDA64, PassMark, 3DMark, and Cinebench R23 to measure memory latency, bandwidth, and overall system performance.
Real-World Results
While benchmark tests provide data, real-world applications show the true impact of the upgrade.
Gaming Performance:
In games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty, I observed a noticeable increase in frames per second (FPS) and smoother gameplay.
These improvements were evident even without extensive adjustments to game settings.
Content Creation:
Using Davinci Resolve, I experienced smoother 4K video editing and faster video export times.
This was notable even though video export is primarily handled by the graphics card.
Running LLMs:
I saw significant speed improvements when running Large Language Models.
There was a 13% increase in the number of tokens processed per second on the Llama 3 model.
Is the upgrade worth it?
For this particular setup, the upgrade proved to be beneficial. It extended the computer's lifespan and improved its performance across various tasks.
Who Should Consider Upgrading?
Those with older DDR4 memory or slower DDR5 memory.
Individuals seeking performance improvements in gaming, content creation, or AI applications.
Who Might Not Need to Upgrade?
Those already using high-speed DDR5 memory, unless the observed performance gains are compelling.
So, was the upgrade worth it? For me, absolutely. I can now game and be productive on this machine, and I've probably extended its lifespan by at least another two years. If you're on an older DDR4 setup or slower DDR5, this upgrade is significant.
But if you're already rocking a high-speed DDR5 kit, you might want to hold off unless these results really wow you.
