DDR5 RAM FAQ

The major reason why you will want to use DDR5 is because it has improved memory capacity, speed, error correction, and power efficiency compared to DDR4. This helps improve performance in key areas when using your PC for gaming or as a workstation.

DDR5 has improved overall bandwidth of up to 1.36x compared to DDR4 at the same clockspeed, giving it improved memory bus utilization. DDR5 can also run at higher clock frequencies than DDR4; the latter requires very careful binning in order to reach a similar speed rating.

No. DDR5 has a different pin layout than DDR4 and DDR3. This means that DDR4 motherboards will not be compatible with DDR5 RAM.

You can use our memory finder to see what memory is compatible with your current PC hardware. We will continue to update it as new memory kits and motherboards are released.

Yes, CORSAIR DDR5 memory modules can be customized with iCUE. You can use iCUE to regulate the memory module's voltage for more stable overclocking, as well as customize and save your own Intel XMP 3.0 profiles to get the best performance by app or task.

We have an article listing the dimensions of our DDR5 memory modules. You can see this article by clicking this link.

We strongly recommend you do NOT combine multiple kits of CORSAIR DDR5 memory. Our memory kits are only validated for their rated performance when using only the modules provided within that specific kit. Combining multiple kits, even if they are rated for the same speed, may result in your memory modules not being able to reach their rated performance specification.

Yes! DDR5 will come with XMP 3.0, while DDR4 has XMP 2.0 and DDR3 has XMP 1.3. Up to two preconfigured profiles are included on DDR5 modules, and you can save up to two custom XMP profiles directly to the module. If your motherboard supports the custom XMP feature, you can tweak your XMP profiles through your motherboard BIOS/UEFI or through software like CORSAIR iCUE.

If you have stability issues when using either XMP profile, we recommend either manually entering the speed, timings, and voltage your DDR5 kit is rated for, or running your memory at default settings until your motherboard vendor provides a BIOS update to improve stability.

Double-check which memory slots your DDR5 modules are installed in and compare it with your motherboard's instruction manual. We have found that you have to first install your DIMMs in the primary set of memory channels, in order, to ensure stability. If you have done so and still encounter issues, contact our Tech Support team.

The Vengeance DDR5 is our mainstream DDR5, and it utilizes a standard-height PCB and heatspreader with no RGB lighting. The DOMINATOR PLATINUM RGB DDR5 includes DHX cooling technology and has a larger and more robust heatspreader with RGB lighting powered by CORSAIR iCUE.

GDDR5 is not the same thing as DDR5 memory. GDDR5 is graphics memory based on older DDR3 memory technology that was designed for use in graphics-intensive applications such as video cards and game consoles.

We have put together a dedicated landing page where you can go to learn more.