DDR5 SDRAM Specs Explained

DDR5 SDRAM
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Double Data Rate 5 Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory is a type of synchronous dynamic random-access memory. You must note that DDR5 was manufactured to reduce power consumption while doubling bandwidth. Here is DDR5 SDRAM Specs Explained

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First of all, you must know that DDR5 RAM has a speed of up to 8.4 Gbps compared to DDR4 DIMMs which have a speed of up to 3.2Gbps at a clock rate of 1.6 GHz). In general, Standard DDR5 memory comes with a speed ranging from 4800 to 6400 million transfers per second. See more specifications below.

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Bigger, Denser Memory & Die-Stacking

Relating capacity and density as one of the latest improvements, DDR5 not like DDR4 can support individual memory chips up to 64Gbit in density. This makes it four times higher than DDR4’s 16Gbit density maximum. This is such an awesome addition that gives you the freedom of using a bigger storage medium.

DDR5 Supports Higher Capacity DRAM

Another improvement I shouldn’t go without pointing out is the support for higher capacity DRAM.

This makes buffer chip DIMMs, the server or system designer capable of using densities of up to 64 Gb DRAMs in a single-die package. DDR4 maxes out at 16 Gb DRAM in a single-die package (SDP).

This means that there will be higher capacity DIMMs. In other words, while DDR4 DIMMs can have capacities of up to 64 GB, DDR5 SDP-based DIMMs quadruple that to 256 GB.

Faster, One DIMM, Two (Smaller) Channels

In addition to the above improvement in storage support, DDR5 has also increased memory bandwidth from the usual 3.2Gbps of DDR4 to 4.8Gbps, which makes it almost 50% faster than the max speed of DDR4. It is also assumed that better improvements of even 6.4Gbps of data rate are expected sooner.

Lower Voltage Means Lower Power

Another change available in DDR5 is the reduction in the voltage needed. This makes DDR5 able to translate to lower power. With a voltage of 1.1 V as compared to DDR4 of 1.2 V, the DRAM, buffer chip registering clock driver (RCD), and data buffer (DB) surely consume less and with better performance.

Related Article: The Difference Between DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4 RAM.

New Power Architecture for DDR5

Talking about the power architecture, DDR5 DIMMs, power management moves from the motherboard to the DIMM itself.  DDR5 DIMMs will have a 12-V power management IC (PMIC) on DIMM allowing for better granularity of system power loading. The PMIC distributes the 1.1 V VDD supply, helping with signal integrity and noise with better on-DIMM control of the power supply.

DDR5 vs DDR4

DDR5DDR4
Data Rates3,200 – 6,400 MTps1,600 – 3,200 MTps
Device Densities8Gb – 64Gb2Gb – 16Gb
Max UDIMM Size128GB32GB
Bank Groups (BG) / Banks8 BG x 2 banks (8Gb x4/x8), 4 BG x 2 banks (8Gb x16), 8 BG x 4 banks (16-64Gb x4/x8), 4 BG x 4 banks (16-64Gb x16)4 BG x 4 banks (x4/x8), 2 BG x 4 banks (x16)
Burst LengthBL16, BL32 (and BC8 OTF, BL32 OTF)BL8 (and BL4)
REFRESH CommandsAll bank and same bankAll bank
VDD / VDDQ / VPP1.1 / 1.1 / 1.81.2 / 1.2 / 2.5