The DDR5 memory segment has been experiencing significant activity as it becomes standardized across all PC platforms. With memory prices dropping and the latest platforms becoming affordable, memory makers are constantly offering new solutions. Some focus on high-end specifications, while others focus on strengthening their gaming product portfolios.
Two years ago, Crucial (Micron) introduced its first desktop-ready DDR5 UDIMMs & more recently, we saw the PRO overclocking series, offering speeds of up to 6000 MT/s. While the former are designed following JEDEC specs to make sure that they are compatible with all PC platforms, the latter are designed for more performant platforms. The company also released its fastest CUDIMM solutions last year, with up to 6400 MT/s speeds. Now, the company has launched faster Pro OC kits, which are catered towards gamers, offering tighter timings and higher clock speeds that are compatible with both AMD & Intel systems.
Crucial PRO OC 32 GB DDR5-6400 Memory Kit Specifications
We received two Crucial Pro OC DDR5 memory kits, each with two DIMMs. Each module offers 16 GB of capacity, which makes up a total of 32 GB in capacity. Crucial has stated that higher capacity variants, including 64 GB RAM modules, will be available soon.
The memory kit has a tested latency spec of CL32, and the timings are 32-40-40-103. The voltage set at reference is 1.35V, and the memory kit comes in an unbuffered package with an on-die ECC (Error Correction) design. The memory kits are fully compliant with Intel's XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO mode and can be easily set to their rated clock speeds through the BIOS shipped on the latest motherboards.
Series: Crucial PRO OC series
Module Type: 288 Pin Unbuffered DIMM On-Die ECC
Capacity: 16GBx2
Frequency: DDR5-6400
Latency: CL32-40-40-103
Tested Voltage: 1.35V
Heat Spreader: Yes
Crucial PRO OC 32 GB DDR5-6400 Memory Kit Unboxing and Close-Up
The Crucial PRO OC DDR5 memory modules come inside a small cardboard package. The front of the package has the name and specifications sticker, and you can see the picture of the modules, too. There's also a QR code that can be scanned to reveal further specs of the memory kit.
The back has nothing of use to talk about except a few highlights of the Crucial DDR5 PRO OC series.
The Crucial OC PRO DDR5 series comes in black and white colors, giving you the choice that suits your PC build.
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Crucial has gone with a stylish diamond-esque pattern on the heatsink, which looks fresh. The Crucial logo in the center is engraved in metal.
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Crucial states that the new PRO OC DDR5 memory modules feature the Micron H die. The ICs are stable enough and should operate at the default frequencies without any issues on each platform, though compatibility should vary from motherboard to motherboard.
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Wccftech Memory Test Setup
For testing, I used the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU on the MSI MEG Z890 Unify-X motherboard to evaluate the standard UDIMM & CUDIMM kits. The good thing about the Z890 motherboards is that they are rock solid when it comes to fast and CUDIMM memory support.
DDR5 Memory Kit Performance Tests
I have separated the performance tests into two sections. The first section consists of synthetic and general workload tests, while the second section focuses on gaming performance and how different games are affected by higher-clocked memory sticks.
Super PI is used by many overclockers to test the performance and stability of their computers. In the overclocking community, the standard program provides a benchmark for enthusiasts to compare “world record” Pi calculation times and demonstrate their overclocking abilities. The program can also be used to test the stability of a certain overclock speed.
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G.Skill Trident Z Royal RGB DDR4 32 GB CL16 4400 1.5V
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Gaming Performance Tests
Gaming applications generally don't see huge gains with different memory kits, but DDR5 has enabled a huge gain in memory frequency, which can impact gaming performance. Moving from the stock 2133 Mbps (DDR4) to 6000+ Mbps can have a huge effect on performance, and the improved CAS timings on some of the high-end SKUs can result in better overall FPS and system responsiveness.
G.Skill Trident Z Royal RGB DDR4 32 GB CL16 4400 1.5V
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Conclusion - Faster Speeds & Wide Compatibility
Crucial has further extended its DDR5 memory coverage into the gaming segment with the release of faster DDR5 PRO OC series kits. These operate at 6400 MT/s and bring timings down to CL32, making them an obvious choice for those building current-gen PCs. The memory also has a fallback mode for 6000 MT/s, which means that compatibility on older platforms such as Intel and AMD 600-series is also assured. Surely, some older and entry-level boards, such as the B650/A620 or H610/B660 series, will have slight compatibility troubles at the full 6400 MT/s, but the fallback mode prevents a lot of hassle that may be involved in ensuring that these kits boot beyond the JEDEC 4800 MT/s speeds.
The new heatsink design and the black/white color schemes are great, and these are finally looking like a gamer-centric product. Underneath the heatsink are Micron H dies, which we didn't test a lot in OC mode since we couldn't manage to push them past the default specs, but considering that most users will simply turn on XMP/EXPO profiles and call it a day, it makes sense to leave memory OC to better-binned DRAM modules.
The Crucial PRO OC DDR5 memory kits are available in 32 GB kits, starting at $148.74 USD for the black kit and $158.94 USD for the white kit. These are fair prices considering that there are only 3 or 4 other kits with the same specs around the $150 US price point. Overall, Crucial's DDR5 PRO OC series memory will give your PC a nice boost in gaming performance and productivity workloads, adding that extra snapiness, and also adding extra beauty with a choice of black or white colors.
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