Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 Review: Performance and RGB Aesthetics
Corsair’s Dominator and Vengeance series are two of the most popular memory lineups among enthusiasts. The former has always been the brand’s more premium offering in the pair, and the Vengeance memory kit isn’t a hard sell either. Delivering top performance for gamers, content creators and prosumers. Data rates for Veangeance RGB DDR5 memory range from DDR5-5200 to an impressive DDR5-6600. However, capacity options are limited. Vengeance RGB memory kits start at 32GB (2x16GB) and go up to 64GB (2x32GB). Corsair does not offer 16GB (2x8GB) flavors of memory.
The Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory did not suffer any radical aesthetic changes compared to its DDR4 counterparts. Much of Corsair’s original design recipe is still in place. The new DDR5 memory modules feature redesigned aluminum heat spreaders in the familiar rectangular theme and triangular pattern. Consumers can choose between black or white heat spreaders.
The regular Vengeance DDR5 memory module is 35 mm (1.38 inches) tall, but the RGB version is 56 mm (2.2 inches) tall, which is a whopping 60% taller to accommodate fancy RGB light bars. I’m here. So the Vengeance DDR5 RGB ends up flush with Corsair’s Dominator Platinum DDR5. However, there are differences when it comes to lighting. The Vengeance RGB DDR5 features 10-zone RGB illumination with 10 bright individually addressable RGB LEDs. The Dominator Platinum DDR5 flaunts 12 RGB LEDs that originate from the more exclusive Capellix LED camp. As with all Corsair memory, you’ll need to install the company’s iCUE software to fully customize the memory module’s lighting.
Each Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory module has a capacity of 16GB and follows a single rank design. However, enthusiasts and overclockers will be happy to know that Corsair chose to incorporate his K4RAH086VB-BCQK (B die) integrated circuit (IC) from Samsung. The B-die is still a big deal for DDR5, just as important as SK hynix’s M-die IC, but many would agree that the latter is slightly better when it comes to overclocking potential.Vengeance RGB DDR5 The memory power management IC (PMIC) is from ANPEC, part number APW8502C-AY242.
When booting the system for the first time using this kit, you will notice that the Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory modules have 40-40-40-76 timings at default DDR5-4800 data rates. Flipping the XMP 3.0 switch loads the board with a lone profile of DDR5-6000 with timings of 36-36-36-76 and a DRAM voltage of 1.35V. For more information on timing and frequency considerations, see the PC Memory 101 feature and how to buy RAM stories.
comparison hardware
memory kit | part number | capacity | data rate | primary timing | Voltage | guarantee |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 | CMT32GX5M2X6600C32 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6600 (XMP) | 32-39-39-76 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
G Skill Trident Z5 RGB | F5-6400J3239G16GX2-TZ5RK | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6400 (XMP) | 32-39-39-102 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
V Color Manta X Prism | TMXPL1662836WW-DW | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6200 (XMP) | 36-39-39-76 (2T) | 1.30 | lifetime |
Patriot Viper Venom RGB | PVVR532G620C40K | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6200 (XMP) | 40-40-40-76 (2T) | 1.35 | lifetime |
PNY XLR8 Gaming Maco | MD32GK2D5620042MXR | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6200 (XMP) | 42-42-42-88 | 1.30 | lifetime |
G Skill Trident Z5 RGB | F5-6000U3636E16GX2-TZ5RS | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (XMP) | 36-36-36-76 (2T) | 1.30 | lifetime |
Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 | CMH32GX5M2D6000C36 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (XMP) | 36-36-36-76 (2T) | 1.35 | lifetime |
Team Group T-Force Delta RGB | FF3D516G6000HC40ABK | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (XMP) | 40-40-40-80 (2T) | 1.35 | lifetime |
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 | CMT32GX5M2B5200C38 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-5200 (XMP) | 38-38-38-84 (2T) | 1.25 | lifetime |
Kingston’s Fury Beast | KF552C40BBK2-32 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-5200 (XMP) | 40-40-40-80 (2T) | 1.25 | lifetime |
important | CT2K8G48C40U5 | 2 x 8GB | DDR5-4800 | 40-39-39-77 (2T) | 1.10 | lifetime |
Sable Rocket | SB-DR5U-16G×2 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-4800 | 40-40-40-76 (2T) | 1.10 | 5 years |
Our DDR5 test system is powered by Intel’s Core i9-12900K flagship Alder Lake processor and Corsair’s CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler. The 16-core Alder Lake chip is featured on the MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard running 7D32vH0 firmware. Meanwhile, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio is responsible for gaming RAM benchmarks.
The Windows 11 installation, benchmark software, and games reside on Crucial’s MX500 SSD, while the RM650x powers the entire system. Finally, the Streacom BC1 Open Bench Table keeps all your hardware properly maintained and organized.
Intel DDR5 system | |
---|---|
processor | Intel Core i9-12900K |
motherboard | MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X |
graphics card | MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X Trio |
depository | Crucial MX500 500GB, 2TB |
cooling | Corsair iCUE H100i Elite LCD |
power supply | Corsair RM650x 650W |
case | Streamom BC1 |
intel performance
The Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory performed pretty well across a variety of application workloads, ranking 4th overall. The memory kit didn’t stand out in certain workloads, but it outperformed the competition in gaming. The gap between 1st and 2nd place isn’t that big, meaning the Vengeance RGB DDR5 won by a narrow margin.
Overclocking and latency tuning
There is always a potential risk of damage when running hardware outside the manufacturer’s specifications. This is a standard caveat when overclocking any hardware, not just memory.
Samsung states that they do not guarantee overclocking voltages for their ICs. The absolute maximum DC drain voltage is 1.4V.
The Vengeance RGB DDR5 runs at 1.35V, leaving some voltage headroom for overclocking. At 1.4V, we could reach DDR5-6600 which overclocks the advertised data rate by 6.7%. However, some compromises had to be made, such as relaxing the memory timings to 38-38-38-78, which isn’t too bad.
Minimum stable timing
memory kit | DDR5-6000 (1.4V) | DDR5-6200 (1.4V) | DDR5-6400 (1.4V) |
---|---|---|---|
Team Group T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-6000 C40 | 38-38-38-78 (2T) | none | 40-40-40-82 (2T) |
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 | 36-33-33-73 (2T) | 36-36-36-76 | none |
Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 | 34-34-34-74 (2T) | none | 38-38-38-78 (2T) |
The Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 and Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 used similar Samsung B-die ICs. Nevertheless, the former was luckier. The memory now runs stable at 1.4V at 34-34-34-74. Unfortunately for G.Skill, the same setup does not work with the Trident Z5 RGB memory kit.
Conclusion
In the current state of DDR5, DDR5-6000 memory kits strike a good balance between performance and cost. These are faster than common DDR5-5200 or DDR5-5600 alternatives, but without the hefty premium of his DDR5-6600 options on the high end. The Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 is everything you would expect from a memory kit of this caliber and timing. I can’t complain about the performance, it’s slightly slower than the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36, which has similar timings but 0.05V lower DRAM voltage. If you want more performance, the Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 has gas left in the tank.
Corsair is also reasonably priced for the Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36.and $254.99 (opens in new tab), the memory is in the same area as the competitor. However, if the lack of RGB lighting isn’t a disappointment for you, there are similar memory kits starting at $230. But if you like jazzy aesthetics and high performance, the Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 is for you.