Crucial DDR5-5200 64GB Memory Kit Review

The Crucial DDR5-5200 64GB Memory Kit represents the newest high-density DDR5 memory offering within the consumer brand of Micron. Optimized for both the latest Intel and AMD platforms, this desktop memory kit aims to achieve a balance between next-generation DDR5 performance and an appealing price point.

In our Linux review, we'll take a closer look at Crucial's high-performance DDR5-5200 Kit, discussing its exclusive features, the advantages of DDR5 technology, along with Linux benchmarks.

DDR5 memory represents a significant upgrade from DDR4, offering faster speeds of up to 6400 MT/s, greater module capacity of up to 256GB, and increased bandwidth of up to 51.2 GB/s per module. Additionally, DDR5 memory uses a new on-board voltage regulator that delivers improved power efficiency, using 20% less power when operating at 1.1V. It also introduces on-die ECC (Error Correction Code) that can correct bit errors, increasing reliability and reducing defect rates. To learn more about the differences between DDR5 and DDR4, I'd recommend reading the JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) specifications.

Broadly speaking, the generational improvements make DDR5 memory an obvious choice for high-performance computing, particularly in memory-intensive applications such as video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming. But, it's also important to note that DDR5 memory is not backward compatible with DDR4 motherboards, so upgrading to DDR5 memory will require a compatible motherboard and processor.

Crucial has stated that as DDR5 technology matures over its lifespan of five to seven years, newer products with even faster speeds and larger memory capacities will become available. In late 2021, Crucial launched their initial DDR5 products, which offered speeds of 4800MT/s with densities of 8, 16, and 32GB. However, as the technology advances, they expect to release newer products with speeds of up to 8400MT/s and densities of 128GB, which is 2.63x faster and 4x larger than DDR4. Currently, Crucial's DDR5 product line includes both UDIMM and SODIMM modules, marketed at speeds of 4800MT/s, 5200MT/s, and 5600MT/s.

At the time of writing, the largest DDR5 kit available from Crucial is 64GB (2x32GB) with a speed of 5200MT/s. Alternatively, Crucial offers individual 16GB modules or 32GB (2x16GB) kits rated at 5600MT/s.

For this particular review of Crucial's DDR5-5200 64GB Memory Kit, the number "5200" in DDR5-5200 refers to the module's maximum data transfer rate, measured in megatransfers per second (MT/s). More specifically, DDR5-5200 has a transfer rate of 5200 MT/s, which means it can transfer data at a rate of up to 41.6 Gbps (gigabits per second). These Crucial DDR5-5200 Desktop Memory Kits are now available in densities of 32GB (2x16GB) or 64GB (2x32GB) and can be purchased direct with free shipping for $103.99 and $229.99 respectively.

Regardless of speed, density or module type, all Crucial DDR5 memory comes with a limited lifetime warranty, as well as 24-hour customer service and technical support.

The Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is black in colour, offering a modern aesthetic that most manufacturers of NVMe SSDs, motherboards, and graphics cards have switched to in recent years. The PCB is absent of any gimmicky RGB LED lighting and is sleek and minimalist in appearance. Additionally, it doesn't include a heat spreader, but this shouldn't be of concern since DDR5 at 1.1V produces low temperatures with proper case cooling.

Taking a closer look physically, the UDIMM is of a double-sided design with Micron 3CG45D8DDZ memory chips on both sides of the module.

Last year, Intel introduced XMP 3.0 overclocking profiles for DDR5 memory, which has since been widely adopted by memory manufacturers. However, AMD's new Ryzen 7000 series and AM5 platform supports their own proprietary overclocking technology called EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking).

While it is not necessary for DDR5 memory to use EXPO, as Ryzen 7000 motherboards also support XMP, users building new systems with faster DDR5 memory may want to consider using EXPO memory for a tailored experience on AMD's AM5 platform. This option provides greater customization for those who are specifically interested in optimizing their system for AMD's technology.

If you've been exploring DDR5 memory options from other manufactures, you may have noticed that some modules are designed to be compatible with Intel XMP, and others are certified for AMD EXPO. Crucial DDR5 memory modules offer support for both XMP 3.0 and EXPO. This unique feature eliminates the need for users to purchase different memory modules for their Intel or AMD systems, providing greater flexibility and peace of mind for future system upgrades.

Specifications

• Part Number: CT2K32G52C42U5
• Memory Type: DDR5
• Memory Speed: 5200 MT/s
• Memory Density: 64GB (2x32GB)
• CAS Latency: 42
• Timings: 42-42-42
• Voltage: 1.1V
• Heat Spreader: None
• Technologies: XMP 3.0 & EXPO
• Warranty: Limited Lifetime

Performance

Performance testing was done under Ubuntu 23.04 (Lunar Lobster) with a 6.2 Kernel and an XMP profile set to DDR5-5200 42-42-42-84.

Test System

• Processor: Intel Core i7 13700K
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE B760 AORUS ELITE AX
• RAM: Crucial DDR5-5200 64GB (2x32GB)
• GPU: Integrated (iGPU)
• Disk: PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
• OS: Ubuntu 23.04 Desktop
• Kernel: 6.2.0-24-generic

Linux Benchmarks

Both reads and writes were benchmarked using 1G memory blocks, with 200G of data to transfer utilizing 1 thread, for a total of 6 passes.