Hi all.
I am in the process of cherry-picking all the hardware for my next build. I've decided to search for RAM today.
My next build is gonna be around a 5950x in a x570 motherboard.
I remember from a linustechtips video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHJ16hD4ysk) about the infinity fabric that the best assured ram for such a CPU was 3600mhz without having to manually tighten the timings (I don't think I'll have the patience for that. I know how to set them with the XMP in the BIOS but I don't feel like customizing them too much and testing them with prime95). Now, I'm reading on a few overclock threads that 3733mhz kits are also guaranteed to work without having to manually tighten their timings.
I'm looking at either the Corsair Dominator Platinum or the G.Skill Trident Z and price is not an issue. I'm mostly looking for easy to work with RGB software (since I'm gonna be using iCue with a bunch of LL120s fans and Lightning Nodes / Corsair Commander Pro) and the best CL for the price.
I have a few questions I need advice on.
 
1. The 3600mhz kits for the Corsair Dominator have a CL of 18 (https://www.newegg.ca/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820236644?Item=9SIADV2BZT7043), while the G.Skill Trident Z have a CL of 16 (https://www.newegg.ca/g-skill-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232861?Item=N82E16820232861). I have always read that the lower the CL the better, and I've always thought that the Corsair Dominator was higher end RAM than the G.Skill. Would the 2 CL difference affect performance that much?
2. Is it true that 3733mhz would be as easy to configure and as stable for the 5950x as 3600mhz would be?
3. For a 32gb system is 2x16gb or 4x8gb better? I've read both opinions on various forums.
4. (I just added this one) While browsing a few weeks ago, I've also come across a few CL14 kits for 3600mhz instead of the base which I thought was CL16. But, those kits' voltage was 1.45V instead of 1.35V. I'm guessing that, since I plan on OCing my CPU in the future, it's best not to get the higher voltage RAM?
 
Big thanks to anyone who's willing to help !

castrator86
You're not going to see a ton of difference between the 2 kits.

Hey again castrator  (that's creepy)
Thank you once again for your imput. Much appreciated.

aka_STEVE_b
My opinion ;
 
1) stick to the 3600 w/ tighter timings.... so much easier for stability sake.
I would have said get the Gskill  but since you mention wanting to integrate with iCue lighting.. I guess it's best for you to find Corsair sticks
 
2) unless you want to start messing with ram timings 3733 wont be much difference to 3600
 
3) always easier, better to try to stay with 2 sticks
 
 

Okay. Thanks once again Steve :)
I'll most likely do 2x16gb 3600mhz Dominator Platinum.

_ARXN_
AMD hinted at increasing the overclock stability of the Infinity Fabric clock (FCLK) in the 1800-2000 MHz range in the upcoming AGESA 1.1.9.0 BIOS revisions for Ryzen 5000 series processors:
twitter.com/AMDRyzen/status/1346573224834953218
 
It might be possible soon to run 4000 MHz DDR4 while preserving a 1:1 memory/fabric frequency ratio.
 
I've also read running a dual-rank memory configuration (vs single-rank) can slightly boost performance:
guru3d.com/articles-pages/amd-ryzen-ram-scaling-effect-in-games,6.html

Can confirm the single rank/dual rank. Just make sure your kit says "built for AMD" and it will be dual rank.

Zomgtuberun
Hey you two ! Just to confirm, by single/dual rank, you are talking about 2x16gbs/4x8gbs right ? That's assuming a "rank" is the memory slots of a specific color on my motherboard like black/gray ?
And if so, judging by what I'm reading, I'm better off doing 4x8gbs instead of 2x16gbs ?

No, that's dual channel. There's actually a separate bit for the Rank. Like I said, if it's tagged with the "built for AMD" it is Dual Rank.

_ARXN_
TLDR; 4x8GB single rank DIMMs perform (slightly) better than 2x16GB single rank DIMMs.
 
Indeed, the terminology is quite confusing... it might be easier to think about in terms of the "total" memory rank of the system.
 
In general, rank refers to total number of independently accessible data blocks (each typically 64 bits wide) whether that be on a single memory module (DIMM) or across multiple interconnected modules.
 
Each memory module can be single, dual, or quad rank depending on the manufacturer design. When interconnected, the multiple memory modules form a total rank (the sum of the individual module ranks).
 
In a dual-channel configuration:
    2x single rank modules result in a total rank of 2 - (2 x 1)
    2x dual rank modules result in a total rank of 4 - (2 x 2)
    4x single rank modules result in a total rank of 4 - (4 x 1)
    4x dual rank modules result in a total rank of 8 - (4 x 2)
 
In general, a higher total rank (at the same clock frequency) will result in better performance. However, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve the same clock frequency and timings when adding more ranks and/or modules and is contingent of quality/performance of the memory controller. So it becomes a trade-off...
 
In most circumstances, using 4x8GB single rank (vs 2x16GB single rank) allows for higher total rank while also preserving clock frequency.
 
crucial.com/support/articles-faq-memory/what-is-a-memory-rank
hardwarecanucks.com/memory/choosing-the-best-amd-ryzen-5000-memory-a-beginners-guide/#ranks
legitreviews.com/amd-ryzen-single-rank-versus-dual-rank-ddr4-memory-performance_192960
techspot.com/article/2140-ryzen-5000-memory-performance/
techspot.com/article/1971-more-ram-modules-better-for-gaming/
tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-3000-best-memory-timings,6310-2.html

I don't see any "rank" specification when I look at kits on newegg, like this is what I was planning to get: https://www.newegg.ca/corsair-32gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820236644 but I was trying to find them in 2x16gb instead of 4x8gb as per what Steve said. I'm 'guessing' those are dual-rank since they say "Optimized for AMD" in the spec sheet? So those would be 4x dual rank modules ? Would that be too much and am I better off trying to find them in 2x16gb instead ?

castrator86
The Vengeance line is the line made for AMD with Dual Rank: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/Vengeance-PRO-RGB-White/p/CMW32GX4M4C3600C18W
 
Buy it right from them.

Cool, I'll check out their site directly. 
If I may ask, what's the difference between the Vengeance Pro and Dominator Platinum besides the lightning nodes ? Aren't they both as good for AM4 ?

castrator86

Zomgtuberun

castrator86
The Vengeance line is the line made for AMD with Dual Rank: https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Memory/Vengeance-PRO-RGB-White/p/CMW32GX4M4C3600C18W
 
Buy it right from them.

Cool, I'll check out their site directly. 
If I may ask, what's the difference between the Vengeance Pro and Dominator Platinum besides the lightning nodes ? Aren't they both as good for AM4 ?

Dominator series has always been an XMP overclocking darling. From what I've read in some feedback reviews; not all of the Dominator DIMMS are dual rank; which you obviously want on a Ryzen system.

Vengeance line is specifically made for AMD (which is what I meant earlier, but everyone's slapping that AMD Ready tag on these days) and has dual rank.

Okay. Yeah, I've read a few posts on my end and they confirm what you said. Looks like people have an easier time overclocking the Dominator modules to a higher frequency but the Vengeance look like they will 100% reach the advertized frequency.
With everything we talked about in mind, 4x8GB of the Vengeance Pro 3600mhz is the best choice right? Not 2x16gb ?

aka_STEVE_b
If you get those vengence , my opinion would be the 3600 speed versions for AMD 1-1 infinity clock match
 
https://www.corsair.com/u.../p/CMW16GX4M2C3600C18W

Hey Steve, yes, that's what I plan on getting now that I realized the Dominator Plats aren't for me.
Cheers !