G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 Review: Perfect Together With Ryzen 7000
The 32GB Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 memory kit will hit the market with support for AMD’s EXPO one-click overclocking profile. Intel isn’t the only chipmaker doing this as the Ryzen 7000 processor was the first mainstream chip from AMD to use his DDR5 memory. As a result, we’ve seen a new wave of EXPO certified DDR5 memory kits exclusive to Zen 4. Nevertheless, most consumers will probably consider his DDR5-6000 memory kits for the upcoming Zen 4 builds. It’s no coincidence. AMD has professed that DDR5-6000 is the sweet spot for his Ryzen 7000 processors, hence the growing popularity of data rates.
Fortunately for consumers, there are enough DDR5-6000 memory kits to choose from. The first DDR5-6000 memory kits typically have a CAS Latency (CL) of 40. However, the technology is evolving so quickly that DDR5 has matured a bit since its debut. As a result, memory vendors are starting to roll out faster DDR5-6000 memory. There are now high-end DDR5-6000 memory kits of his on the market with CL values as low as 30. The Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 is one of those options.
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The design philosophy behind the Trident Z5 Neo RGB memory module is similar to other Trident Z5 variants. The stylish heat spreader features a matte black exterior, black brushed aluminum insets and silver highlights. Trident Z5 memory kits are usually available in metallic silver trim, but it’s unclear if G.Skill will offer this color option for the Trident Z5 Neo RGB in the future.
G.Skill uses the same mold for all Trident Z5 memories, so the Neo RGB variants are as tall as their counterparts. As a result, the memory modules are checked in with a height of 42 mm (1.65 inches). A streamlined RGB light bar sits on top of the Trident Z5 Neo RGB memory module. You have full control over the lighting and effects via the G.Skill Trident Z Lighting Control software or your motherboard’s software. If you choose the latter, keep in mind that the Trident Z5 Neo RGB is compatible with Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.
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G.Skill’s Trident Z5 Neo RGB Memory Kit consists of two 16GB DDR5 memory modules in a single-rank design. So it should come as no surprise that the memory module uses the SK hynix H5CG48MEBDX014 (M die) integrated circuit (IC). This is a popular choice among memory vendors. Additionally, the power management IC (PMIC) is marked with a “0D=9B J1U” identifier, which means it is a product of the Richtek camp.
By default, the memory runs at DDR5-4800 with timings toned down to 40-40-40-77. G.Skill has incorporated one EXPO profile into the Trident Z5 Neo RGB. When enabled, the memory will jump to DDR5-6000 with fixed timings and DRAM voltages of 30-38-38-96 and 1.35V respectively. 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 Vengeance RGB DDR5 | CMH32GX5M2B6000Z30 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (Expo) | 30-36-36-76 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
| G Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB | F5-6000J3038F16GX2-TZ5NR | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (Expo) | 30-38-38-96 (2T) | 1.35 | 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 Vulcan DDR5 | FLABD532G6000HC38ADC01 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (XMP) | 38-38-38-78 (2T) | 1.25 | lifetime |
| Team Group T-Force Delta RGB | FF3D516G6000HC40ABK | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6000 (XMP) | 40-40-40-80 (2T) | 1.35 | lifetime |
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The Intel test system uses Intel’s Core i9-13900K processor and MSI’s MEG Z690 Unify-X motherboard, running 7D28vA8 firmware. In contrast, the AMD testbed leverages the Ryzen 7 7700X and ASRock X670E Taichi, which are currently on 1.11.AS06 firmware.
Corsair’s CUE H100i Elite LCD liquid cooler keeps temperatures constant for Raptor Lake and Zen 4 processors. Additionally, the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Trio tackles our gaming RAM benchmarks.
Your 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 the hardware in place.
| component | intel system | AMD system |
|---|---|---|
| processor | Intel Core i9-13900K | AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
| motherboard | MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X | ASRock X670E Taichi |
| graphics card | MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X Trio | MSI GeForce RTX 2080 Ti Gaming X Trio |
| depository | Crucial MX500 500GB, 2TB | Crucial MX500 500GB, 2TB |
| cooling | Corsair iCUE H100i Elite LCD | Corsair iCUE H100i Elite LCD |
| power supply | Corsair RM650x 650W | Corsair RM650x 650W |
| case | Streamom BC1 | Streamom BC1 |
intel performance
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The memory kit isn’t tuned for Intel, but it showed decent performance. Cumulatively, the Trident Z5 Neo RGB finishes him second in application performance, just behind the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C30.
AMD performance
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The Trident Z5 Neo RGB performed brilliantly on our AMD X670 test system, outperforming all other memory kits. Additionally, this memory excelled in productivity workloads such as Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Corona, and HandBrake. Of course, the gaming performance between each memory kit is pretty close, but the Trident Z5 Neo RGB ranks his second overall.
Overclocking and latency tuning
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SK hynix M-die ICs are easy to overclock and the Trident Z5 Neo RGB is no exception. Raising the DRAM voltage from 1.35V to 1.4V resulted in DDR5-6200. But then I found that I needed to relax the tRCD and tRP timings by 2 clock cycles in order to stabilize the overclock.
Minimum stable timing
| memory kit | DDR5-6000 (1.4V) | DDR5-6000 (1.435V) | DDR5-6133 (1.435V) | DDR5-6200 (1.4V) | DDR5-6400 (1.4V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C36 | 34-34-34-74 (2T) | none | none | none | 38-38-38-78 (2T) |
| T-Force Vulcan DDR5-6000 C38 | 36-36-36-76 (2T) | none | none | none | 38-38-38-78 (2T) |
| Team Group T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-6000 C40 | 38-38-38-78 (2T) | none | none | none | 40-40-40-82 (2T) |
| Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 | 30-36-36-96 (2T) | none | none | 30-38-38-96 (2T) | none |
| G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6000 C36 | 36-33-33-73 (2T) | none | none | 36-36-36-76 (2T) | none |
| Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 C30 | none | 30-36-36-72 (2T) | 30-38-38-78 (2T) | none | none |
G.Skill’s memory kits have some of the tightest timings on the market. As a result, neither CAS latency (CL) nor tRAS worked. However, although I could lower tRCD and tRP by two clock cycles, I would have had to increase the DRAM voltage to 1.4V. It wasn’t worth it. So overclocking the top DDR5-6200 in your memory kit is a better way to improve performance.
Conclusion
It’s hard to find a reason why you shouldn’t like the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30. The memory kit works perfectly out of the box and provides solid performance. That alone is enough to get the majority of buyers. As always looks are subjective, but you can’t argue with the Trident Z5 Neo RGB’s premium look. Like its competitors, G.Skill uses his SK hynix M-die ICS in its memory kit, so the memory modules have plenty of room for tweaking.
DDR5 prices still fluctuate, but current DDR5-6000 C30 memory kits start at $159.99.If you think so, suddenly Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 $179.99 (opens in new tab) The price tag isn’t that bad. We’re still paying the DDR5 adopter tax, but the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 is proving to be a formidable memory kit, especially on AMD’s 600-series platforms. There will eventually be faster memory kits, but in the meantime the Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 is the best.
