Performance - System Memory Perf: DDR4 Memory Read / Write

Performance System Memory: Memory Read Test

At launch the Ryzen B350/X370 motherboards support high-frequency memory up-to roughly 3200 MHz with exceptions here and there. This will differ per motherboard manufacturer, but again you can expect support up-to 3200 MHz (dual-channel) and some even a notch higher. We highly recommend you to check what memory is supported with specific motherboards. Check the qualified vendor list and the supported modules at the manufacturer webpage!

  
Currently the higher frequencies are only supported with two DIMMs. If you use four DIMMs then at this moment you are looking at a maximum of 2400 MHz. BIOS updates will follow and we expect four DIMM higher MHz support in the weeks to follow. However if you want to go for high-frequency DDR4 memory, you are best invested with two 8 or 16 GB DIMMs. We recommend 16 GB these days for a nice amount of memory in any high-end gaming OC. Let's have a look at Ryzen series 7 memory performance in a couple of configurations:

2667 MHz is probably the sweet spot price performance wise, also recommended by AMD with a two DIMMs setup. 

Obviously after 3,000 MHz these memory kits get increasingly expensive. Whether you decide (or not) if that extra dough is well invested is your call to make. For a nice gaming PC we say a nice 3000 MHZ kit with normal CL16 latency is sufficient. If you however do a lot of transcoding etc. you might like the extra bandwidth and go with a 3.2 GHz kit at CL15, everything is relative. One sidenote, the bandwith is good, that latency seems rather higher and problemsome. 

Much like Intel, with Ryzen DDR4 2,133 and 2,400 MHz is the new norm. Lower 1,333/1,600 and 1,866 MHz are supported as well (but I cannot recommend that if you could even find such DIMMs). Let's chart the results up:

Keep in mind that the higher Core i7 59x0 and 69x0 series are quad-channel aside from the Core i7 7700. Overall Ryzen dual-channel performance is spot on and as expected. However, as we noticed, the processor would have really liked quad-channel memory. I inserted four entries so you can see and check what the memory controllers are capable of.