The newly optimized AMD EXPO ULL RAM sticks are going to cost an arm and a leg, as if the standard variants weren't expensive enough.
G.Skill Trident Z5 NeoX EXPO ULL 2x 16 GB Kits Hit the Shelves at $549-$1099 Price While Their Regular EXPO Variants Cost Significantly Lower
Expensive DDR5 memory kits are already making it extremely difficult to build a PC or upgrade the existing RAM capacity, but it looks like the newly optimized RAM sticks are going to make this even more difficult. AMD's EXPO ULL memory kits, which are currently the best option for the AMD AM5 platform, have started to appear on major retailers, but these are far more expensive than we expected.
As reported by Tom's Hardware, Newegg has started listing some of these sticks, but the prices are so ridiculous that even the overpriced EXPO DDR5 kits appear cheap. While premium hardware usually hits the market at noticeably higher price tags, it's not what we expected, given that AMD promised that EXPO ULL memory kits would be in the same price range as the regular EXPO memory kits.
As per the listings on Newegg, several variants of the G.Skill Trident Z5 NeoX have appeared at eye-watering prices. These are mostly 2x 16 GB or 32 GB RAM kits that feature various CL timings, but when you compare the prices with their respective vanilla EXPO variants, the EXPO ULL RAM modules feel like daylight robbery. For instance, the cheapest Trident Z5 Neo 2x 16 GB DDR5-6000 kit costs $549, while its regular EXPO variant costs $50 lower.
| Memory Kit | Capacity | Speed | Primary Timings | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Z5 NeoX | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 26-36-36-32 | $1,099 |
| Trident Z5 Neo | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 26-36-36-96 | $699 |
| Trident Z5 NeoX | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 28-36-36-32 | $999 |
| Trident Z5 Neo | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 28-36-36-96 | $559 |
| Trident Z5 NeoX | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 30-38-38-32 | $619 |
| Trident Z5 Neo | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 30-38-38-96 | $544 |
| Trident Z5 NeoX | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 36-36-36-76 | $549 |
| Trident Z5 Neo | 2x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s | 36-36-36-96 | $499 |
Moving to the kits that offer tighter primary timings out of the box, the price gap becomes bigger and bigger to the point where a single 2x 16 GB EXPO ULL kit costs nearly $500 more than its vanilla EXPO variant. For $1,000, a 32 GB kit appears ridiculous, given that for the same price, it's easier to find an RTX 5070 Ti that impacts performance more than just some fine-tuned memory stick.
Of course, the primary timings appear to be similar, but that's not what makes the NeoX EXPO ULL special, as their secondary timings are not visible publicly at the moment. EXPO ULL memory kits can indeed run at lower voltages, improving efficiency, reducing heat, and allowing more headroom for overclocking. Moreover, these are well-optimized modules that offer excellent tuning out of the box for superior performance, but these improvements do not justify the ridiculous prices.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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