Ram memory on amd ryzen 3000: ram scaling 2133

Carrying out RAM scaling to buy PC performance today is pretty easy. Currently we have a large number of RAM memories at different speed sizes and from many manufacturers. XMP and DOCP technology makes things much easier, since installing DDR4 memories greater than 2133 MHz is a very simple task and available to almost everyone.

In this article we will analyze how RAM scaling works from 2133 MHz to 3600 MHz on the new AMD Ryzen 3000 platform. In this way we will see in detail what frequencies are worth buying by seeing performance results in games and benchmarks. We will test two of the brand's most relevant processors, the Ryzen 7 3800X 8C / 16T and the bestseller Ryzen 5 3600X with 6C / 12T. Let's start!

Features that influence RAM performance

But before starting directly with the results, let's put ourselves in a position to know what we evaluate and how we evaluate it. So the main characteristics of a RAM memory will be its speed, its capacity and of course the technology and whether or not they are in Dual Channel.

Recall that the role of RAM in a computer is to temporarily store running programs and their instructions, along with the operating system. In this way the processor searches the RAM directly for the tasks to be executed, instead of going to the hard disk, much slower and that would limit performance.

Speed

Speed ​​is precisely what we will evaluate in this article. It is the frequency at which memory is able to work, which is measured in MHz. In DDR memories, two read / write operations are performed for each clock cycle. In addition, DDR4 works with 4 bits, so the clock speed must be multiplied by 4, and the nominal speed or effective frequency must be multiplied again by 2. For example, a PC4-3600 memory has a clock speed of 450 MHz, while its bus, which we call FCLK, works at 1800 MHz resulting in an effective speed of 3600 MHz.

Unless otherwise stated, RAMs are always marketed at the frequency of their effective speed set in the specifications. Facing the user in the BIOS, this is the frequency that we are going to scale. But it is very important to know that the FCLK will always work at half the nominal speed of the RAM, and in programs like CPU-Z we will see precisely this frequency represented.

Parallel to XMP (Extreme Memory Profiles) technology from Intel, we have DOCP technology that corresponds to AMD. The task is the same, to select the operating profile at the maximum frequency supported by the board and the memories. The RAMs have JEDEC profiles, profiles with different frequency scales to which they can work. It is like a factory overclocking whose objective is always to improve the performance of the 2133 MHz at which basic RAM works.

Latency

Latency is the time it takes for RAM to serve a request made by the CPU. DDR memories perform two operations in the same clock cycle, but they are largely influenced by the communication bus between memory and CPU. The higher the frequency, the more latency the memory will generally have, and that affects the CPU and RAM I / O controller. Although the speed will always make them modules faster despite having higher latency, the end result of the communication being faster as we will see later. Values are measured in clock cycles or clocks. Latencies are represented in the form XXX-XX.

Capacity

Capacity is much easier to explain. In this case we do not have RAM scaling, since the capacity of a module is fixed and invariable unless the CPU, the DIMM slot or the operating system limit it in any way. It is measured in GB and is the available capacity to store running tasks.

The most normal thing today is to have 16 GB or more, for example 32 and even 64 GB for megatasking. Facing a gaming team, with 16 GB we are left for now as long as we have a graphics card with its own RAM, the GRAM. In the case of the AMD Ryzen it will be mandatory to have a dedicated card, since they do not have integrated graphics except the Athlon range and the Ryzen of the 3000G series.

RAM memory bus and interface

In this way we come to the third most important element that will be the communication interface and more specifically its configuration in single or double channel (Single or Dual Channel). Regarding the interface, it is very simple, currently all the modules are DDR4 and are installed on DIMM or SO-DIMM slots in the case of laptops.

Dual Channel or Dual Channel technology allows simultaneous access to two different memory modules by the CPU. Instead of having a 64-bit data bus, it is doubled to 128 bits so that more instructions arrive to the CPU to be processed. This is very important for the overall performance of the computer, since we are practically doubling the read and write capacity of RAM. Whenever we think about installing a certain amount of RAM, we should think about dividing it up into at least two modules. For example, if we want 16 GB better to put 2 × 8 GB than 1 × 16 GB, or 32 GB, dividing them into 2 × 16 or even 4 × 8 GB. The same applies to the Quad Channel, although this is reserved for Intel X and XE processors and Threadrippers.

Infinity fabric and how it affects RAM scaling

Ryzen 3000 Infinity Fabric Architecture

And a critical element that directly influences RAM scaling and performance will be the processor's memory controller. Perhaps it sounds more to you for North chipset, North bridge or North bridge, since formerly this was an independent chip on the motherboard. Currently all processors implement it within the package.

Specifically, the AMD Ryzen in its 3000 series have modified the way they interact with RAM memory due to their configuration in chiplets. Chiplets are silicon modules with a certain functionality. These processors always have two or three chiplets making up the processor, two of them carry the cores and RAM and are called CCDs. Inside each CCD there are two CCX built in 7nm, each with 4 cores and 16MB L3 cache, thus forming 8 core and 32MB L3 CCD. The third chiplet is the memory controller, called cIOD and it is built at 12nm.

Infinity Fabric and maximum RAM capacity for Ryzen 3000

We are interested in the cIOD or Data Fabric, which will be in charge of communicating the RAM memory with the cores through Infinity Fabric. Inside it we have all the components in charge of managing the input and output to the CPU, RAM and also PCIe lanes.

Infinity Fabric has made notable improvements since Ryzen's 2nd generation and is now capable of operating in a 1: 1 ratio with RAMs down to 3733 MHz. This means that with an effective frequency memory (that of its specifications) of 3733 MHz or less, Infinity Fabric will operate at the speed of the bus, that is, half the effective frequency. With 3600 MHz memories it will go to 1800, with others to 3000 MHz, therefore to 1500, thus up to 1867 MHz maximum. But when we put a RAM higher than that, then it will become a 1: 2 profile, dividing its frequency in half with a multiplied x2, and this will affect the latency of the memories. AMD has reported that its Ryzen support a maximum of 5100 MHz memory.

After this, we must also understand how the Infinity Fabric bus works in the different processors, since in their chiplets they have a series of cores deactivated depending on the processor model, and this affects the communication bus. Specifically, it affects the write performance of RAM memories with processors that have a single CCD (3800x down) or two CCDs (3900x up). Infinity Fabric works with 32 Byte strings (32 * 8 = 256 bits), but in case of having a single CCD the reads are effectively made to the maximum available, but the writes are reduced to 16 Bytes so we will get lower MB / s rates, although at better latencies. In the case of processors with 2 CCDs, read and write is done at 32B, but the bus must be divided for Dual Channel configurations, causing increased latencies.

With all this what AMD says, it is that it is more recommended 3600 MHz RAM for its CPUs. Implementing chiplet technology limits the capacity of the buses in a certain way, something that for example does not occur in Intel chips as it is all inside a silicon with a native 64B bus. In any case, we do not have 4000 MHz modules either, so the RAM scaling has been from 2133 MHz to 3600 MHz.

Comparison and tests

Explained the fundamentals of the operation of the internal bus of the Ryzen with Infinity Fabric, we will now enter the practical matter and we will know the components that we have used for the tests.

RAM modules and test bench

Ryzen Master represents the only CCD with the two CCX of the Ryzen 5 3600X

The main thing will be the RAM memory modules, which this time are a 3600 MHz G.Skill Trident Z Royal Gold in a 2 × 8 GB configuration making a total of 16 GB of Dual Channel. Its latency configuration is CL 16-16-16-36 and it is the one that we will maintain in all the frequencies that we test.

We have chosen these memories in part because of the chip they mount, being of the Samsung brand and B-die type, one of the best available. These chips will give us very low latencies and a fairly good overclocking capacity and ideal for gaming.

The rest of the hardware is made up of the following elements:

• CPU 1: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X CPU 2: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Motherboard: Asus X570 Crosshair VIII Hero BIOS Version: AGESA 1.0.0.3 ABBA RAM: G.Skill Trident Z Royal Gold 2 × 8 GB @ 3600 MHz GPU: Nvidia RTX 2060 Founders Edition Hard Drive: ADATA SU750 PSU: Cooler Master V850 Gold Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 1903 (18362)

As we can see, a fairly strong hardware that simulates the scenario of a high-performance gaming PC. We have performed the RAM scaling with two processors to see how it affects the performance of both.

Likewise, we have not modified any performance parameters of the processors, in order to simulate in a purely real environment with the proper management of the BIOS with these two Ryzen.

DRAM Calculator for Ryzen software

Parameters in the "SAFE" mode

Likewise, in this RAM scaling the DRAM Calculator for Ryzen software could not be missing, a TechPowerUp solution that will help the user to place the best RAM memory configuration for their equipment. We explain, to the program we will introduce the data related to our RAM memory, frequency, chip type, and configuration, and it will calculate the latency, voltage and other parameters to optimize performance with AMD Ryzen Zen, Zen + or Zen 2. Then We will put this data in the BIOS to see how it affects the performance of the system.

Technical characteristics of test RAM memories

In turn, we have used the Thaiphoon Burner software to collect all the technical information possible from memory, and thus have the exact parameters for the calculation program. The program in turn will give us a conservative configuration that does not jeopardize our RAM, one more aggressive and the other extreme. We will only use the one that gives us in Safe mode.

These are the parameters and the place to enter them in the BIOS.

For the other results, we have taken the automatic values ​​except the main latencies, which we have set to 16-16-16-36 as they are in your specifications. Likewise, we have manually increased the voltage to 1.35 or 1.36 from 2866 MHz.

RAM scaling: benchmark results

First, we will see the results that the benchmarks show, which are made up of the following programs:

• Cinebench R15 in its three tests Mono-Core, Multi-Core and test with Open GL Cinebench R20 in its two tests AIDA64 Engineer, RAM tests 3DMark Fire Strike (DX11), Fire Strike Ultra (DX11) and Time Spy (DX12) WPrime 32M with 1 thread and with all available in each CPU, 12 for the 3600X and 18 for the 3800X

First, analyzing Cinebench tests it can be seen that the influence of RAM memory and its latency are rather low. Although it is true that a slight increase in performance is seen the higher the frequency, it is not too relevant in terms of pure CPU performance. In the Open GL test we did see a considerable increase in FPS, up to 26 in the 3800X and 19 in the 3600X, so the more powerful the CPU, the more it influences. The same goes for the WPrime tests which evaluates the CPU task processing time always. Very slight improvements are seen, but in most cases the state and load of the CPU rather than the speed of RAM influence. Perhaps with a greater load of tasks it does make a lot more difference.

Obviously it is in AIDA where we see the greatest improvements. In short, it measures the speed of RAM, and the increase is constant and linear at all frequencies. The figures are very similar for both processors, since both have a single Chiplet and the communication with the RAM is identical. In the case of latency, we see that it is a logarithmic graph, that is, with increasing frequency, latency improves less and less. As we have discussed before, Infinity Fabric has a 1: 1 frequency ratio up to 3733 MHz, and this favors the improvement of latency.

Now let's study the results of the graphic benchmarks. There is no direct influence on the performance of the GPU, which is clearly seen in the "Graphics Score". Regarding the “Physics Score”, which the CPU is in charge of, we do see notable improvements in performance, although in the face of the final or global result it does not make any difference. We will then confirm these results in games to see how RAM scaling influences.

Finally, highlighting the values ​​on line 3600+ correspond to the adjustments made with the DRAM Calculator data. And the truth is that there are cases such as benchmarks and Cinebench that do see an increase in performance, so it really works and is worth using.

RAM scaling: gaming results

We go to see the results in 4 games under DirectX 12 quite demanding and of the current generation. The data collected is the FPS measurement during the benchmark test for each game.

• Deus EX Mankind Divided, Alto, Anisotropico x4, DirectX 11 Metro Exodus, Alto, Anisotropico x16, DirectX 12 (without RT or DLSS) Shadow of the Tomb Rider, Alto, TAA + Anisotropico x4, DirectX 12 (without DLSS) Gears 5, High, TAA, DirectX 12

And the truth is that the influence on games is rather small, and where we most notice the difference is in the resolution most used by gamers, that is, Full HD. Here we see improvements of 9 FPS in Tomb Rider with the 3600X and 8 FPS for the 3800X which is quite a lot. Deus Ex and Metro barely raises 2 FPS, while Gears 5 does it at 6 FPS. Consequently, we can understand that the more FPS the game reaches with the graphics, the greater the increase.

In the case of higher resolutions, you already know that the CPU influences less and that is demonstrated in all the results. If anything, the one that changes the most is Deus Ex, but they are 2 FPS at certain frequencies. And if you look, having a 3600X or a 3800X has very little effect on gaming performance, so you understand why the 3600 and 3600X are a best seller with a spectacular performance / price ratio.

Conclusion on RAM scaling with Ryzen

With this article we believe we have made clear how RAM scaling influences the performance of a computer, addressing the range between 2133 MHz base to 3600 MHz, frequency recommended by AMD for its new Ryzen.

The truth is that the influence on the pure performance of the CPU is not decisive, but 9 FPS in Full HD games is enough, and more than they could be if we use larger graphics cards or other games. The Infinity Fabric architecture also directly influences CPU performance, and being 1: 1 with RAM greatly improves performance compared to previous architectures, with decreased latency and great performance at all frequencies. RAM.

We hope we have clarified the doubts for these users who are looking for a RAM for their new platform. We recommend acquiring 3000 MHz or higher memories, since in demanding tasks and heavy workload it will make a difference with its best capacity for writing, reading and latencies.

Now we leave you with some tutorials and guides related to the topic:

What memories do you use and what CPU do you have? For questions or notes, you have the comment box below, we hope we have helped.