Looking for a 2x32GB Single-Rank DDR5 UDIMM Memory Kit (AM4 to AM5 upgrade)

[pabzab]

Hello,

I’m planning to upgrade my AM4 setup, which currently consists of a 5800X3D, Asus B550-XE, and 2x32GB Corsair 3600MHz CL18 RAM.
I mainly use this system for gaming and Photoshop.
My motivation for upgrading is to switch to DDR5, which I believe is now significantly superior to DDR4 for high FPS gaming.


The 9800X3D is quite expensive, so I think the best move is to get a discounted 7800X3D paired with a high-end motherboard that will allow me to upgrade the CPU again in two years.
Therefore, I plan to upgrade to an Asus ROG Strix X870E-E motherboard and a 7800X3D CPU.

Now, the memory choice is where it gets tricky.
I want RAM modules that support two EXPO profiles: one for 6000MHz and another for 6400MHz.
I also want to maximize single-rank density with 32GB modules to reduce motherboard and signal integrity issues by using a configuration with two single-rank sticks.

So ideally, I’m looking for a 2x32GB single-rank kit, preferably with a 6400MHz EXPO profile and the lowest possible CAS latency.

After some research (using the Asus X870E Extreme QVL list), here are the 32GB single-rank kits I found

• Kingston KF560C36BBE2K2-64 — 2x32GB — XMP/EXPO — 6000MHz
  • Same with LEDs Kingston KF560C36BBE2AK2-64 — 2x32GB — XMP/EXPO — 6000MHz
• Corsair CMK64GX5M2B6400C42W (Ver 3.63.01) — 2x32GB — XMP — 6400MHz
• Corsair CMH64GX5M2B6400C42W (Ver 3.63.01) — 2x32GB — XMP — 6400MHz
• Crucial CP32G64C40U5B — 32GB — XMP/EXPO — 6400MHz

Kingston is my favorite and there is a real specification sheet there : https://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KF560C36BBE2K2-64.pdf
However, they don’t have a 6400MHz XMP/EXPO profile.
I don’t expect this to make much difference, but overclocking options will be limited if I upgrade the CPU in two years (maybe next gen of AMD CPU will have 7000mhz sweet spot compatibility with gear ratio of 1:1 ? Idk)

Corsair is interesting, but there’s no official product page available, and the latencies aren’t great.

As for Crucial, I’m uncertain. Their support told me “BJ” means single rank and “B” means dual rank, so there might be an error in Asus’s QVL.

Is anyone else thinking along the same lines or has already done this research before moving to AM5?

Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Pierre

 

[ir_cow]

First, you can ignore the QVL lists for the most part. In my opinion it is only helpful to gauge the highest memory frequency tested. Though that is in a lab with a binned CPU, so the average consumer isn't going to get the same max frequency.

Secondly, EXPO includes 5 extra SPD values tCCD, tRRD, tWTR, tRTP, tFAW and tCCDW compared to XMP. It can help with performance, but I found these are either the same as the motherboards defaults (if XMP was used) or slightly looser for compatibility. So basically, don't limit yourself to just EXPO memory.

There is a future were EXPO is the go-to in performance, but right now it is more of a "AMD made its own", look at me situation.

 

[GerKNG]

So ideally, I’m looking for a 2x32GB single-rank kit, preferably with a 6400MHz EXPO profile

this will not run on at least 95 out of 100 CPUs.
get any 6000 CL30 kit under the sun and you're good. the difference is barely measurable.

 

[rv8000]

FWIW avoid Corsair if there are similar and or better priced options. Some patriot, kingston, and in general most g.skill kits I’ve found to work very well on AM5.