RAM Compatibility & Speed Guide

RAM is one of the most misunderstood components in a PC build. Buy the wrong type and it won’t fit. Buy the wrong speed and you’ll leave performance on the table. This guide covers everything you need to know.

DDR4 vs DDR5 — Which Do You Need?

DDR4 and DDR5 are physically incompatible — the notch position on the stick is different, so you cannot accidentally install the wrong type. Your platform dictates which you need:

DDR5: Required for AMD AM5 (Ryzen 7000/8000/9000) and Intel LGA1851 (Core Ultra 200).
DDR4: Required for AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000 and older) and Intel LGA1700 (12th–14th Gen).

Dual-Channel — Always Use It

Installing RAM in dual-channel configuration nearly doubles memory bandwidth, which has a measurable impact on gaming and productivity — especially on AMD Ryzen platforms. Install two sticks in the correct slots — typically slots 2 and 4 (second and fourth from the CPU). Always check your motherboard manual.

RAM Speed & XMP / EXPO

RAM is sold at a rated speed (e.g. DDR5-6000), but by default most systems run RAM at its base JEDEC speed (e.g. DDR5-4800). To unlock the full rated speed, enable XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) in your BIOS.

XMP: Intel’s standard for RAM speed profiles. Supported on Z and B-series Intel boards.
EXPO: AMD’s equivalent for AM5 platforms, optimised for Ryzen’s Infinity Fabric.
Some kits support both XMP and EXPO — ideal if you switch platforms.

What Speed Should You Choose?

AMD AM5 (DDR5): DDR5-6000 is the sweet spot — aligns the Infinity Fabric at 3000MHz for maximum performance.
Intel LGA1851 (DDR5): DDR5-6400 to DDR5-7200 is the performance sweet spot on Z890.
AMD AM4 (DDR4): DDR4-3600 is the classic sweet spot for Ryzen 5000.
Intel LGA1700 (DDR4): DDR4-3200 to DDR4-3600 is ideal for most 12th–14th Gen builds.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

16GB: Minimum for gaming. Adequate for most titles but can bottleneck in memory-hungry games.
32GB: Recommended for gaming, streaming, and light content creation. Future-proof for most users.
64GB+: For video editors, 3D artists, and professionals running memory-intensive applications.

Compatibility Checklist

✅ DDR type matches your platform (DDR4 or DDR5)
✅ Installed in correct dual-channel slots (check manual)
✅ XMP or EXPO enabled in BIOS
✅ Speed is within your motherboard’s supported range (check QVL list)
✅ Total capacity doesn’t exceed motherboard maximum