Introduction

G.SKILL is a renowned Taipei-based memory manufacturer with a history of producing performance-oriented products. The company has ventured into other PC markets in recent years, such as SSDs, AIO coolers, and peripherals, including gaming-oriented keyboards, mice, headsets, and more.

G.SKILL has multiple product lines to fit different markets, with plenty of performance-oriented DDR4 options available. These SKUs include the Trident Z, Royal, Neo, Ripjaws and Elite series. With the launch of DDR5 in late 2021, G.SKILL brought forward the Trident Z and Ripjaws series. With AMD's new AM5 platform the following year, both the Flare X and Neo series made their DDR5 debuts as well. Early in 2023, G.SKILL announced new Trident Z5 memory kits with higher Non-Binary capacities using 3 GB ICs for each DRAM module. This increase allows higher capacity kits in configurations of 48 GB (2x 24 GB) and 96 GB (2x 48 GB) for both Intel and AMD platforms that support DDR5.


In this review, we will be taking a closer look at the newly released G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 (48 GB) memory kit, which targets content creators and PC gamers alike. The Trident Z5 series offers a wide variety of memory kit configurations with binned frequencies ranging from 5200 MT/s to 8200 MT/s. G.SKILL is blurring the line between traditional low-capacity performance system memory and the "slower" high-density memory kits available to consumers today. Follow along as we take this memory for a spin with plenty of benchmarks!

Specifications

Packaging

Taking a quick look at the packaging, G.SKILL uses the same box type and layout for the entire Trident Z5 line. The only difference is that the RGB variants have RGB memory depicted on the box instead. Near the top is a cutout, which gives a glimpse of the memory inside and what it actually looks like. The bottom left has an "Intel XMP Ready" stick along with the Trident Z5 RGB branding.

Flip the box around, and each DIMM has the SKU number visible through the cutout. G.SKILL puts a quick blurb about the Trident Z5 memory at the top. Lastly, there's the barcode with the SKU, module densities, configuration, and operational frequency the XMP profile provides. For the RGB, each DIMM has eight independent lighting areas and 16 million color options. This G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB kit also supports ASUS Aura, Gigabyte RGB Fusion, MSI Mystic Light, and ASRock Polychrome Sync software for maximum compatibility with different motherboard ARGB implementations.


The box has some tape to prevent anything from falling out during shipping. Once cut and removed from the outer packaging; the memory sticks are secured and protected from minor damage with a clamshell inside the outer box.

Accompanying the memory is a piece of paper with information covering common questions that are asked regularly. Of course, you can reach out to G.SKILL technical support if needed regarding what's on the card or anything else. It is nice to see this included as pitfalls like mixing ram kits are a common occurance. Not reaching the desired frequency due to the motherboard and or CPU not supporting the XMP profile can happen as well. Even forgetting to enable XMP is a common mistake among novice users.

Some examples written on the card:

• "Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure"
• "Memory kits will boot at the SPD speed at default BIOS settings with compatible hardware"
• "Reaching the rated XMP/EXPO overclock speed and system stability will depend on the compatibility and capability of the motherboard and CPU used."

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.