For Intel's upcoming processors and motherboards based on DDR5 memory you'll probably want seom compatible products. Good news, Intel has posted a QVL (qualified vendor list).
It appears that the bulk of memory makers are starting with the 32GB memory kits instead of the 16GB. Alder Lake is pre-configured to handle DDR5-4800 memory, so DDR5-4800 memory kits should function without any additional configuration. In addition to having a lower operating voltage (1.1V compared to 1.2V in DDR4), DDR5 also has a faster data transfer rate. Only the DDR5-4800 and part of the DDR5-5200 memory kits, on the other hand, operate at 1.1V. As is customary in the memory industry, not every DDR5-4800 memory kit is created equal. Corsair appears to have the best binned DDR5-4800 memory kits out of all the vendors, according to our research. The Dominator Platinum's timings are 34-35-35-69, whereas Kingston's Fury Beast's timings are 38-38-38-70, according to the manufacturer. G.Skill is currently the manufacturer of the fastest DDR5 memory kits available on the market. Trident Z5 memory kits are available from the manufacturer in capacities ranging from DDR5-6000 to DDR5-6666. It makes no difference what data rate is used because the memory kits' timings are tuned at 40-40-40-76 and pull 1.35V. However, those aren't even the quickest memory kits available. It is already known that G.Skill will release a DDR5-6800 memory kit, which will most certainly cost an arm and a leg. DDR5-4800 is the maximum data rate that is officially supported on Alder Lake, so anything faster than that is considered overclocking. Despite the fact that faster DDR5 memory kits have been verified with Alder Lake, your processor's IMC (integrated memory controller) is still the determining factor in whether or not you can run those DDR5-6000+ frequencies. Because Alder Lake is unexplored area, no one is entirely certain of the capabilities of its IMC.
Corsair's memory kit is likely to command a modest premium over the competition. We're currently testing these, see photos below, download the QVL list here.
Intel releases XMP 3.0 DDR5 QVL compatibility list for Alder Lake CPUs
