CXMT's DDR5 memory has some major drawbacks versus DRAM modules from the big three, as ASUS highlights poor overclocking and worse performance.
Motherboard Vendors Have Unlocked Over 8000 MT/s Speeds On CXMT-Based DDR5 Memory Modules, But The DRAM Is Inferior In Performance & Overclocking
With the ongoing DRAM shortages, China's DIY PC market has started relying heavily on domestic memory solutions. We have seen brands such as Kingbank, Gloway, Lexar, and many more utilize CXMT DDR5 memory. As such, motherboard vendors have started offering optimized support for these modules. With strengthened BIOS support, these memory modules can now surpass 8000 MT/s speeds (previously limited to 6800 MT/s), unlocking more performance.
This is largely beneficial since memory shortages lead to higher prices, and as SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron focus on the AI segments, CXMT can supplement the requirements of its domestic audiences since CXMT's advantage lies within supply rather than pricing.
Motherboard makers such as ASUS, MSI, and Colorful have already demonstrated up to 8600 MT/s speeds, but ASUS itself has some concerns regarding the CXMT DDR5 memory modules.
According to ASUS, while they were able to hit up to 8600 MT/s CL44 speeds on a Kingbank 48 GB 6000 MT/s CL36 kit using the X870E Crosshair APEX motherboard, there are several drawbacks to note.
CXMT DDR5 Memory Good For Mainstream Use, Not So Good For Overclocking
First of all, at the same clock speeds, CXMT DDR5 memory modules feature worse performance compared to a similarly spec'd kit using SK Hynix DDR5 DRAM. And the silicon performance varies massively between DRAM batches. Sure, CXMT can provide volume, but sorting out good-quality IC from each batch is harder than with SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron-produced DRAM.
Then we have the overclocking concerns. There's currently a wall to the extent of OC speeds you can get out of CXMT memory. ASUS reports that the DDR5 modules don't scale with voltages, so pushing more voltage into the modules won't net you any major benefit.
Users can't tighten the memory timings, which means that they will be stuck with the baseline timings, which are CL34-CL36 for the majority of kits, and the overall overclocking capabilities are inferior to those of overseas DRAM makers.
CXMT Races To Accelerate Its DDR5 Products As Big-3 Remain Busy With AI
While CXMT appears to be getting on par with the big-3 on paper, offering 8000 MT/s+ RDIMMs and faster DDR5 modules, the reality is that they are still far behind in the game.
However, the recent pause in commodity memory development due to worsening PC markets might allow the DRAM maker to accelerate its processes to be able to deliver higher-quality DDR5 solutions before the big-3 can once again start focusing on client markets.
News Source: Uniko's Hardware
About the author: A Software Engineer by training and a PC enthusiast by passion, Hassan Mujtaba serves as Wccftech's Senior Editor for hardware section. With years of experience in the industry, he specializes in deep-dive technical analysis of next-generation CPU and GPU architectures, motherboards, and cooling solutions. His work involves not only breaking news on upcoming technologies but also extensive hands-on reviews and benchmarking.
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