Tried out: 256 GB RAM in desktop PCs

Memory modules with a capacity of 64 GB for desktop PCs are now available. Until now, these were reserved for workstation or server platforms, as they were only available as registered RAM (RDIMMs). Mainboard manufacturers such as Asrock, Asus, Gigabyte and MSI announced support for a total of up to 256 GB of RAM (4 × 64 GB) at the beginning of 2024, but 64 GB unbuffered DIMMs (UDIMMs) suitable for desktop PCs are only now coming onto the market. They follow the 48 GByte modules, which have been available since the beginning of 2023.

Tried out

We received two kits with two 64 GB DIMMs each from Crucial, and tested them with several current CPU platforms. As soon as you unpack them, you notice that the modules are fitted with memory chips on both sides due to their capacity. We tested the kits with the following processors and chipsets:

• AMD AM5: Ryzen 7 9800X3D + X870
• AMD AM5: Ryzen 7 7950X + X670
• Intel LGA1700: Core i5-14500 + Z790
• Intel LGA1851: Core Ultra 5 235K + Z890

All tested systems boot with the full 256 GB RAM. The mainboards require a current BIOS version, otherwise the computer will not start. Suitable firmware has been available for download from most mainboard manufacturers for a few weeks. In the case of Asus, a working beta BIOS appeared on the day of the test.

A kit consisting of two modules for 128 GB RAM immediately achieves the promised speed of 5600 megatransfers per second (MT/s, DDR5-5600) on all platforms. In operation with four modules and a total memory capacity of 256 GB, the modules only run at a speed of 3600 MT/s for AMD and 4400 MT/s for Intel. This corresponds to the specifications of the respective platform for the operation of two modules per channel and dual-rank assembly. Higher clock frequencies would be possible by overclocking outside the specification.

This high capacity is particularly interesting for professional applications. For most desktop applications including 3D games, however, 256 GB or even 128 GB are oversized. In addition, the lower clock frequency costs performance when fully loaded.

As an alternative to the RAM modules tested here, Kingston (starting from 721 €) also offers modules with 64 GB capacity (starting from 721 €). In contrast to Crucial, however, these modules are so-called Clocked Unbuffered DIMMs (CUDIMMs). An additional amplifier chip on the PCB amplifies the clock signal from the CPU and thus allows higher clock frequencies, in this case 6400 MT/s (DDR5-6400). However, they currently only run optimally with Intel's Arrow Lake processors aka Core Ultra 200S.

GB price remains stable

In terms of price, a 64 GB module from Crucial is almost on a par with kits consisting of two 32 GB UDIMMs – a welcome development right from the start. This makes these new modules interesting, as they enable 128 GB RAM in dual-channel mode in the desktop sector without any loss of performance. Corresponding SO-DIMMs for notebooks are already listed (starting from 427 €), but are not yet available, as are UDIMMs with heat sinks (starting from 729 €).

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(acha)