Question Is there a speed penalty running a single stick of ddr5 like there is with ddr4.

[APJ]

Is there a speed penalty running a single stick of ddr5 like there is with ddr4?

 

[damian101]

Yes, dual-channel memory will still only work with two DIMMs.

 

[APJ]

Yes, dual-channel memory will still only work with two DIMMs.

Thanks for the quick reply.

I was under the impression that ddr5 was behaving differently from ddr4 with respect to dual -channel.
I'm just about to upgrade my existing (MSI H97 Gamer 3, i5 4690 and r9 390) to Intel's LGA 1700.
Just in 2 minds to go for ddr5 or 4, because I have no idea how long intels CPU's will support ddr4.

 

[mv2devnull]

I'm just about to upgrade my existing (MSI H97 Gamer 3, i5 4690 and r9 390) to Intel's LGA 1700.
Just in 2 minds to go for ddr5 or 4, because I have no idea how long intels CPU's will support ddr4.

That H97 is a ddr3 board, isn't it? You have to replace CPU, board, and RAM. How likely do you think it to be that you would transfer RAM from LGA 1700 system to the successor in future upgrade? How often have you done that in the past? Could ddr6 be already a "thing" at the time of your next upgrade?

I would get what is easy to get with reasonable price right now. Future is a bridge that we'll cross when we get to it, if we ever get to it ...

 

[APJ]

That H97 is a ddr3 board, isn't it? You have to replace CPU, board, and RAM. How likely do you think it to be that you would transfer RAM from LGA 1700 system to the successor in future upgrade? How often have you done that in the past? Could ddr6 be already a "thing" at the time of your next upgrade?

I would get what is easy to get with reasonable price right now. Future is a bridge that we'll cross when we get to it, if we ever get to it ...

I hear what you're saying, but im wondering if, when I want to upgrade the Intel CPU in maybe 2 years time, will that CPU more likely support ddr5 or still ddr4.

I can get (Buy) a stick here, ADATA XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 5200, for about USD 150

 

[mv2devnull]

Possible Intel roadmaps on the net seem to refer to this thread as their "source": https://forums.anandtech.com/threads/intel-current-and-future-lakes-rapids-thread.2509080/
The couple tables that I saw had only 1-2 generations with dual ddr4/ddr5 support.

I assumed that since your current CPU is some five(?) years old that you would not be upgrading again in two years time. My bad.

 

[kschendel]

I hear what you're saying, but im wondering if, when I want to upgrade the Intel CPU in maybe 2 years time, will that CPU more likely support ddr5 or still ddr4.

If you're just upgrading the CPU in a couple years, it will almost certainly support whatever your then-existing motherboard will support.

Intel likes to change chipset compatibility with (almost) every generation, so if you're expecting to plug in a (say) 14th gen CPU into a 12th gen compatible motherboard, be aware that it's unlikely to happen.

In other words, buy what you can get at a decent price today and don't worry about it. The notion of dropping in a new CPU becomes largely irrelevant after a couple years anyway.

 

[APJ]

If you're just upgrading the CPU in a couple years, it will almost certainly support whatever your then-existing motherboard will support.

Intel likes to change chipset compatibility with (almost) every generation, so if you're expecting to plug in a (say) 14th gen CPU into a 12th gen compatible motherboard, be aware that it's unlikely to happen.

In other words, buy what you can get at a decent price today and don't worry about it. The notion of dropping in a new CPU becomes largely irrelevant after a couple years anyway.

Appreciate everyone's opinion and reply, will heed the advise and very likely buy ddr4 to stay within the budget.

 

[aigomorla]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I was under the impression that ddr5 was behaving differently from ddr4 with respect to dual -channel.
I'm just about to upgrade my existing (MSI H97 Gamer 3, i5 4690 and r9 390) to Intel's LGA 1700.
Just in 2 minds to go for ddr5 or 4, because I have no idea how long intels CPU's will support ddr4.

You always want to max out the number of channels your CPU can support.
Most Processors will be dual channel, so you want two sticks and also make sure XMP profile is enabled.
CPU's like ThreadRipper Pro's have 8 channel, so you would want to max out all 8 channels.