A Closer Look

The G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB modules in this review came in the Metallic Sliver color, with Matte Black and White available choices as well. Those familiar with G.SKILL Trident Z memory from the previous DDR4 generation will see similarities in design, with a prominently featured black brushed aluminium strip in the middle with one of the three colors. Trident Z series is also easily recognizable, thanks in part to the outward-protruding signature wing-like fins protruding upwards. G.SKILL does its due diligence by implementing a heatspreader that covers the entire PCB. Since this is the RGB version, sandwiched between the heatspreaders is an opaque plastic strip to diffuse the LEDs.


The G.SKILL Trident Z5 series brand name has also been placed in the right corner of each DIMM, in direct contrast to the black-brushed aluminium section.


On one side of each DIMM module is an identification sticker listing the product number, rated XMP operating frequency, voltage, and primary profile timings.


Laying the DIMMs on the side, you can see "G.SKILL" written in white lettering in the center. The entire plastic strip in the middle will be illuminated when the system is powered on, and lighting can be controlled with supported motherboard software.


G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 kit weighs in at 60 grams on the scale. For Z-height, it comes in at 43 mm rounding up.


After taking the heatspreader off, we see that these are single-sided DIMMs with eight 3 GB ICs. A single thermal pad strip covers all the memory ICs. This particular kit does not have a thermal pad covering the PMIC and surrounding components. Although it is not required for this XMP profile, as an operating voltage of 1.35v is perfectly fine without cooling. Those who are concerned will to happy to know G.SKILL offers a limited lifetime warranty just in case.


Currently, Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are the three suppliers of DDR5 ICs. However, only Micron / Spectek and SK Hynix have released Non-binary 3 GB ICs to the consumer market. Both of which "perform" worse than their 2 GB counterparts due to different sub-timings. So far, Micron 3 GB ICs have shown to reach at least 7000 MT/s, while SK Hynix has seen up to 8200 MT/s in a retail kit so far.

A closer look at the ICs shows that these are SK Hynix (H5CGD8MHBD-X021). Which can be abbreviated to SK Hynix 3 GB M-Die, not to be confused with SK Hynix's first DDR5 M-Die (2 GB) in 2021. Up until the release of 3 GB ICs, the previous world record crown was held by SK Hynix A-Die (2 GB) and is still considered the "go to" for high frequency overclocks paired with lower primary timings.


With DDR5, one of the major changes is how the motherboard directly provides 5 V to the memory module's PMIC, which is then stepped down and split accordingly. No longer is the motherboard responsible for regulating the voltages seen with DDR4. The PMIC has the part number "APW8502C." A quick search has APENC come up as the manufacturer.