Introduction

In 2021 Igor Wallossek of Igor's Lab wrote an article asking a simple question regarding DDR5: "How hot does DDR5 memory really get?" While the article did answer a basic question of what to expect from DDR5-4800 when it first released to the consumer market in 2021, DDR5 has since then increased speeds each year. In mid 2024 JEDEC finalized the DDR5-8800 standard, with PC Enthusiast memory getting even more performance using additional XMP and EXPO profiles. Lower timings, increased frequency and higher voltages are combined to significantly exceed the current JEDEC standards. With this in mind, it is time to revisit DDR5 operating temperatures and explore some of the different factors that go into the creation of XMP and EXPO memory profiles.



Below is our test setup used to conduct the temperature test. Please note, that the same system components are not required to replicate the results. However, as we get into the temperature variables of DDR5, the heat spreaders do factor into the temperature equilibrium, heat soak and maximum thermal dissipation shown in the graphs.

Test System

Supporting Hardware