Intel 12th Gen CPUs (Alder Lake) ... Intel Core Ultra (Arrow Lake) DDR5 support

[RemusM]

Because we get more and more complaints on this subject:
the memory speed limitation has nothing to do with the motherboards and memory modules.
It's all about the CPU IMC.

This is the official DDR5 support for most of the top Arrow Lake CPUs (Ultra 9 285K, Ultra 7 265K, Ultra 5 245K, etc):

This is the official DDR5 support for most of the top Raptor Lake CPUs (Core i9-14900K, Core i9-13900K, Core i7-13700K, etc):

This is the official DDR5 support for most of the top Alder Lake CPUs (Core i9-12900K, Core i7-12700K, etc):

Anything faster is not guaranteed to run (stable).
As you can see, there is a significant speed limitation in case of 4 memory modules.

Now let's take a look at MSI's flagship MEG Z690 Godlike:

You will notice the same limitation in case of 4 memory modules (single and dual rank both): 4000MHz.

Also be aware of this rule: more memory you have, lower speed you'll get.
So don't expect a great stability above 5600MHz in case of 128 or 192GB memory.

 

[Switch0r]

The webpage for DDR5 memory support is not loading for me, can this be fixed?

MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI

MPG series motherboards offer colorful customization with MSI Mystic Light RGB and Ambient Link, tuned for better performance by direct 16 phases VRM power, Memory Boost, Lightning Gen5 solution, Premium Thermal Solution, Wi-Fi 6E, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

us.msi.com

I want to choose memory for my new board 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 5400+ MHz
Thanks!

 

[RemusM]

The webpage for DDR5 memory support is not loading for me, can this be fixed?

This link works for me:

MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI

MPG series motherboards offer colorful customization with MSI Mystic Light RGB and Ambient Link, tuned for better performance by direct 16 phases VRM power, Memory Boost, Lightning Gen5 solution, Premium Thermal Solution, Wi-Fi 6E, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

www.msi.com

 

[Switch0r]

This link works for me:

MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI

MPG series motherboards offer colorful customization with MSI Mystic Light RGB and Ambient Link, tuned for better performance by direct 16 phases VRM power, Memory Boost, Lightning Gen5 solution, Premium Thermal Solution, Wi-Fi 6E, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2

www.msi.com

Yes, now it works. You fixed it?

 

[RemusM]

Because I got questions on this subject:
This update did not change anything.
It means "the motherboard is able to run 4 modules at 5600MHz, but most of the current CPU IMCs are limited to 4000MHz"

 

[cidmec15b202ed]

Dear Support Team,

I'm using Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB CMT32GX5M2X5600C36 DDR5 memory kit with MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Mobo.
With BIOS version 7D30v14 the memories run on 6200 Mhz and sometimes on 6400 Mhz too. With Dram voltage/Vdd 1,250V started on 6200Mhz. It was more stable on 1,380 V
With BIOS version 7D30v17 (Description: - Fine-tuned memory compatibility.) the maximum is 6000 Mhz.
No boot at all on 6200 even if I raise the Dram voltage and Vdd to higher like 1.380V.

Could you be so kind to explain what does "Fine-tuned memory compatibility" means?

I do like to use the memory on 6200 Mhz but I do not know what was changed and why it is not booting with the old setting by now.

Thank you in advance!
Br, Jozsef

 

[RemusM]

I'm using Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB CMT32GX5M2X5600C36 DDR5 memory kit with MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Mobo.

I do like to use the memory on 6200 Mhz

"Rated" means already overclocked, undertimed and overvolted.
They were rated at 5600 because they failed certain factory tests at higher speeds.
So what you are trying to do is a bad idea from the very beginning.
The bottom line:
presuming you were lucky with your CPU IMC overcloking capabilities, if you want memory at 6200 you need to buy a factory matched and tested kit at 6200 or 6400MHz.

 

[cidmec15b202ed]

I have to say is your communications ir very unrespectful.

Bad idea with a gaming computer made for overclocking??? Are you really sure? Why MSI developed Memory try it?

With your answer you said that MSI don't support overclocking anymore....

I kindly asking MSI to answer to my question by an MSI expert.

 

[RemusM]

I have to say is your communications ir very unrespectful.

Bad idea with a gaming computer made for overclocking??? Are you really sure? Why MSI developed Memory try it?

With your answer you said that MSI don't support overclocking anymore....

I kindly asking MSI to answer to my question by an MSI expert.

"Bad idea" does not mean disrespectful.
Your memory modules are factory overclocked to 5600MHz (that's XMP).
Trying to run them at 6200MHz is wrong!

 

[skigeno]

So I mgetting a mpg force ddr5 mb and have a 137000kf. The QVL says 6400mhz supported Gskill. The ram is 2x16=32gb. Does this mean it wont run that speed of ram?

 

[RemusM]

So I mgetting a mpg force ddr5 mb and have a 137000kf. The QVL says 6400mhz supported Gskill. The ram is 2x16=32gb. Does this mean it wont run that speed of ram?

6400MHz is an overclocking rating for the13700KF IMC.
That means the result (stability) is not guaranteed.
But the 13th Gen IMCs are 800MHz faster than 12th Gen IMCs.
Intel guarantees 5600MHz in case of 64GB memory for these CPUs.
So I would say you have a very good chance for stability with 2x16GB at 6400MHz.

 

[Nichrome]

I have to say is your communications ir very unrespectful.
Bad idea with a gaming computer made for overclocking??? Are you really sure? Why MSI developed Memory try it?
With your answer you said that MSI don't support overclocking anymore....
I kindly asking MSI to answer to my question by an MSI expert.

MSI doesn't answer on the forums. If you wish to get an answer directly from MSI, see >>How to contact MSI.<<
Also RemusM is right on what he said. I wouldn't call it "bad idea", but generally it's unlikely to go through without further tinkering with timings and voltages.
It's always a mystery to me when people come over to forums where folks with quite a bit of an experience tell them the truth, and they complain as if there was a different truth available lol
We can either tell you the truth, or beautiful lies. But if it's beutiful lies you are looking for, then I'd go for talking with some political party instead.

 

[mjall]

im trying to keep up-to-date here with what i'm reading so are you saying that Alder lake processors do not support more than 4800mhz of DDR5 despite the support of the motherboards? if that's case, can I still install and run ram that support higher than 4800mhz with no issues?

 

[Nichrome]

im trying to keep up-to-date here with what i'm reading so are you saying that Alder lake processors do not support more than 4800mhz of DDR5 despite the support of the motherboards? if that's case, can I still install and run ram that support higher than 4800mhz with no issues?

It all depends on what the CPU supports. If it says 3200MHz then that's the maximum guaranteed to work, and anything above is literally overclocking.
And yes, you can use higher rated RAM. It will either work at what it's rated at, or will slow down to what the CPU supports. It's all IMC gamble whether RAM will work above CPU spec or not.

 

[mjall]

It all depends on what the CPU supports. If it says 3200MHz then that's the maximum guaranteed to work, and anything above is literally overclocking.
And yes, you can use higher rated RAM. It will either work at what it's rated at, or will slow down to what the CPU supports. It's all IMC gamble whether RAM will work above CPU spec or not.

thanks for the above, I'm just building a new pc and I placed an order for corsair 5200mhz so let me jump quickly to cancel the ram from the order and change them with something of 4800mhz, better safe than sorry.

 

[Nichrome]

thanks for the above, I'm just building a new pc and I placed an order for corsair 5200mhz so let me jump quickly to cancel the ram from the order and change them with something of 4800mhz, better safe than sorry.

Nah you'll be fine. Those rated at 5200MHz is also better quality, as basically those rated at 4800MHz didn't make it to become 5200MHz.

 

[Nichrome]

The only time I would cancel an order like you said, is if the price difference is actually worth it. But if the difference is $30 or less then I'd keep it as it is.

 

[ra15b602db]

I have MSI MPG carbon z690 EKX running 13900k and 64GB (2x32GB) Corsair DDR5 Vengeance Black, PC5-44800 (5600). (Bios 7D30v191 )
Using XMP profile 1 they are running quite happily at 5600MHZ

 

[cidmec15b202ed]

I'm using MSI z690 Carbon Wifi with Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB CMT32GX5M2X5600C36. It is running smooth on XMP profiles.
By the way the maximum stable frequency is 6000Mhz. I'm using the kit on this frequency (~6Ghz) with 1.415V. It is working really fine.
Anyway the kit is starting on 6800Mhz maximum with really high CPU voltages. It isn't worth because over 6000Mhz I notice errors what I cannot eliminate.
This kit has Samsung chips. These are reliable.
I had DDR4 kits with hynix chips. They were fast but defected when bought or within 2 years.

My advice to chose a memory with a Samsung chip from a good brand like Corsair. I prefer also 2 sticks only (2x16GB or 2x32GB).

Good luck!

 

[darkhawk]

People always mis-interpret all this information, and generally do not understand what it truly means. Things honestly haven't changed, overall, in over 25 years.

What Remus is truly stating, is that Intel's chips will reach the speeds in his charts, under those conditions.
Intel isn't saying they can't do more. But it is saying, ultimately, that if the proper parts are used, they should be able to reach those speeds. If not, the chip might be considered faulty, and could be replaced.

Having said that, it's good to keep in mind that not every chip, or system, or set of RAM even, will guarantee speeds higher than those charts either. The 13900k I have works fine with the ram I have at 7000 MHz. But the 13900 does not work well with it at those speeds, and generally I had to drop to 6933 or slightly below that to have it be stable. This is a very quick and clear example of how things can vary from chip to chip, especially when you're running them way past what Intel supports.