G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 48GB Review: Supercharged Non-Binary Performance
We tested the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 48GB kit in our test suite and found it to be a strong contender for our best RAM list. You may have heard the term “non-standard” or “non-binary” in relation to some of the newer DDR5 memory kits. This means that the kit volume does not conform to the standard volume we are used to. DRAM vendors have previously used 8Gb (1GB), 16Gb (2GB), and 32Gb (4GB) chips in DDR4 memory kits, so memory integrated circuit (IC) capacities have typically been provided in power-of-two format. rice field. However, the introduction of DDR5 memory changed the situation. DDR5 brought the debut of non-power-of-two ICs, commonly referred to as non-binary, in the form of 24Gb (3GB) dies.
Chip makers have made great strides in manufacturing processes to increase IC capacity. With modern 24Gb die slots between existing 16Gb and 32Gb ICs, vendors will be able to offer densities not previously available in the market. As a result, we now have 24GB memory modules that are halfway between 16GB and 32GB, and his 48GB memory modules with 50% higher density than 32GB DIMMs. Non-binary memory opens the door for the highest RAM in 24GB x 2, 48GB x 2, 24GB x 4, and 48GB x 4 configurations.
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The Trident Z5 RGB design will be very familiar to avid G.Skill fans. The fin-inspired aluminum heat spreader is also intact. Especially this memory kit comes with a matte black theme. Normally, the brand offers his Trident Z5 RGB in a metallic silver option, but that varies by SKU. A brushed aluminum strip with a slightly reflective finish and his Trident Z5 RGB logo adorns the center of his memory module. As we’ve seen in his previous Trident Z5 memory kits, the memory modules maintain his 42 mm (1.65 inch) height, and in most cases are short enough to fit under the CPU air cooler. .
RGB lighting is now the standard for high performance gaming memory, and the Trident Z5 RGB has plenty of it. His RGB light bar on top of the memory module accentuates the aggressive design. Comes with Trident Z Lighting Control software for customizing your illumination. You can also use motherboard software such as Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync and ASRock Polychrome.
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Featuring a single-rank design, each memory module has a capacity of 24GB. Beneath the Trident Z5 RGB’s heat spreader are eight SK hynix H5CGD8MHBDX021 ICs with a density of 3 GB each. G.Skill does not have a preferred power management IC (PMIC) provider for his DDR5 products of the brand. For this particular memory kit, the company sourced his APW8502C-AZ14Y from his ANPEC.
Like other fast memory kits, the Trident Z5 RGB runs at DDR5-5600 and 46-45-45-90 timings when you first ride it. G.Skill rarely implements more than his XMP 3.0 profile in memory. The Trident Z5 RGB’s only profile is his DDR5-7200 with 36-46-46-115 timings at 1.35V, meeting the published specs. For more information on timing and frequency considerations, see our “PC Memory 101” feature and our “How to Buy RAM” article.
comparison hardware
| memory kit | part number | capacity | data rate | key timing | Voltage | guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Group T-Force Delta RGB | FF3D532G7200HC34ADC01 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-7200 (XMP) | 34-42-42-84 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
| G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB | F5-7200J3445G16GX2-TZ5RK | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-7200 (XMP) | 34-45-45-115 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
| Adata XPG Lancer RGB Mela Edition | AX5U7200C3416G-DCLARMLBK | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-7200 (XMP) | 34-46-46-116 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
| G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB | F5-7200J3646F24GX2-TZ5RK | 2 x 24GB | DDR5-7200 (XMP) | 36-46-46-115 (2T) | 1.35 | lifetime |
| Corsair Vengeance RGB | CMH32GX5M2X7000C34 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-7000 (XMP) | 34-42-42-96 (2T) | 1.45 | lifetime |
| G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB | F5-6800J3445G16GX2-TZ5RK | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6800 (XMP) | 34-45-45-108 (2T) | 1.40 | lifetime |
| Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB | 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 |
| Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB | CMT32GX5M2X6400C38 | 2 x 16GB | DDR5-6400 (XMP) | 38-40-40-84 (2T) | 1.35 | lifetime |
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Intel system runs Core i9-13900K on MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X with 7D28vAA firmware. In contrast, the AMD system pairs a Ryzen 7 7700X with an MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi modified to 7D70v176 firmware. The Corsair CUE H100i Elite LCD Liquid Cooler maintains operating temperatures for Raptor Lake and Zen 4 processors.
MSI GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Gaming X Trio tackles more graphics-intensive workloads and ensures there are no graphics bottlenecks in gaming RAM benchmarks. Windows 11 installation, benchmark software, and games are on Crucial’s MX500 SSD. Meanwhile, the Corsair RM1000x Shift ATX 3.0 power supply powers the GeForce RTX 4080 directly using the native 16-pin (12VHPWR) power cable, providing clean and abundant power to your system. Finally, the Streacom BC1 open-air test bench is essential for keeping your hardware organized.
| component | intel system | AMD system |
|---|---|---|
| processor | Intel Core i9-13900K | AMD Ryzen 7 7700X |
| motherboard | MSI MEG Z690 Unify-X | MSI MPG X670E Carbon WiFi |
| graphics card | MSI GeForce RTX 4080 16GB Gaming X Trio | MSI GeForce RTX 4080 16GB 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 RM1000x Shift | Corsair RM1000x Shift |
| case | Streamom BC1 | Streamom BC1 |
intel performance
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Memory kits check in to DDR5-7200 at the right time. Therefore, it will be ready to use right out of the box. The extra capacity outperforms 32GB (2x16GB) memory for workloads and provides the benefits of large capacity. For example, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 outperformed his second fastest memory kit in Adobe Premiere by 9.6%.
A fairer comparison would be to compare G.Skill’s memory kits to competitors with similar densities. However, this is the first and only non-binary memory kit used in the lab, so this imperfect comparison is sufficient for now.
AMD performance
The reason we didn’t benchmark this kit on our Ryzen 7000 test platform was that we weren’t able to reach the peak speeds required to get the best performance out of this kit, rather than buying this kit for use with standard DDR5. does not make sense. -5600 transfer rate.
Due to the current state of the AGESA code and silicon limitations, AMD’s Ryzen 7000 processors are at a disadvantage when it comes to memory support. However, good samples with powerful IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) usually support DDR5-6400 to DDR5-6600 memory.
For our particular Ryzen 7 7700X, DDR5-6400 is the upper end, so DDR5-7200 is beyond the bounds of possibility.
Overclocking and adjusting latency
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The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 showed similar overclocking margins to the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34, so high density didn’t affect overclocking potential. The memory module realized DDR5-7600 configured with timing and DRAM voltage of 36-46-46-115 and 1.45V respectively.
Minimum stable timing
| memory kit | DDR5-7000 (1.5V) | DDR5-7200 (1.45V) | DDR5-7400 (1.5V) | DDR5-7600 (1.45V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team Group T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-7200 C34 | N/A | 34-41-41-81 (2T) | N/A | 36-46-46-86 (2T) |
| G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 | N/A | 34-41-41-81 (2T) | N/A | 36-46-46-115 (2T) |
| G. Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 | N/A | 34-42-42-84 (2T) | N/A | 36-46-46-115 (2T) |
| Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-7000 C34 | 32-42-42-96 (2T) | N/A | 34-42-42-96 (2T) | N/A |
The memory kit was a little behind when it came to optimization. On the DDR5-7200 C34 variant, the timings dropped to 34-41-41-81 at 1.45 V, but on DDR5-7200 C36 he was hairline erratic at 34-42-42-84. The ICs are from the same brand, but the memory kits use different models, so some differences are normal.
Conclusion
A look at the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 specs shows that it’s essentially a high performance memory kit. G.Skill binned memory modules at the right time and with high frequency. Unfortunately, this move effectively dismissed AMD’s Zen 4 platform, which has struggled with memory kits above DDR5-6600.
Timings on the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 aren’t the toughest in the category, but they are above par. Plus, if you’re interested in overclocking, there’s also the added value of using SK hynix ICs that allow the memory kit to reach even higher frequencies. However, the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36’s main strength is its capacity.
Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C36 48GB (2x24GB) $239.99, or $5 per GB. The retail price of the Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 C34 32GB (2x16GB) is $165.99, about $5.19 per GB. So the 48GB memory kit is slightly better value for money, assuming you’re marketing that capacity.
So far, no vendors have released DDR5-7200 64GB (2x32GB) memory kits, so we can’t compare prices right now. There are not many DDR5-7200 48GB memory kits on the market, so G.Skill has the advantage of early purchase. Besides G.Skill, TeamGroup has competing memory kits with better timing, but they are not yet on the retail market.
