PSA: Corsair LPX and AMD

[TheLostSwede]

I learnt something the other day from someone I know at Corsairs that's involved in their memory products.
Apparently some LPX kits are suitable for AMD use, but Corsair doesn't really mark them specifically as such on the packaging.
There is some information on their website, but the key thing to look for, is a Z in the model name, such as CMK16GX4M2Z5000C18.
That means the kit should work with AMD. If you get a kit without the Z in the model name, it might not work.

 

[NoJuan999]

Which explains why so many users seem to have issues running their Corsair Vengeance kits at the rated speeds on Ryzen systems.
They buy kits that don't have the "Z" in the model number.
Like a user that I just helped on another forum that has this kit: CMW16GX4M2C3600C18
He had to settle for 3200 instead of 3600 on a Ryzen 3700x rig.

 

[INSTG8R]

I was wary of Corsair despite using them for over a decade on my Intel builds. After having Mem issues initially with my Ryzen build I ended up at Vengeance Pro CL18 as my 3rd set tried 18-22-22-42. Have them easily running 16-19-19-40

 

[Nuckles56]

Huh, that's actually really good to know. It would be really good if Corsair actually publicized this fact.

 

[27MaD]

Hmmm mine are running 100% stable (check system specs).

 

[WatEagle]

Also mine are stable with xmp enabled
EDIT: my model is CMK16GX4M2B23200C16

 

[TheLostSwede]

Huh, that's actually really good to know. It would be really good if Corsair actually publicized this fact.

Yeah, it would, but apparently they aren't. It's obvious on their website, but only if you pick a SKU that's optimised for AMD and spot the logo.
For example, this kit. However, the AMD bit doesn't show up in their search and there's no option to search specifically for AMD compatible modules.

VENGEANCE® LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3600MHz C14 AMD Ryzen Memory Kit - Black

VENGEANCE LPX memory is designed for high-performance overclocking. The heatspreader is made of pure aluminum for faster heat dissipation, and the eight-layer PCB helps manage heat and provides superior overclocking headroom.

www.corsair.com

 

[Zach_01]

My LPXs are CMK16GX4M2Z3466C16 (2x8GB) and XMP profile worked from day one flawlessly with any BIOS version.
I even running them today at 3800MT/s, with my little bronze rated R5 3600 on 1:1:1 ratio.
It was a lucky purchase, I didn’t know about this...

 

[TheLostSwede]

My LPXs are CMK16GX4M2Z3466C16 (2x8GB) and XMP profile worked from day one flawlessly with any BIOS version.
I even running them today at 3800MT/s, with my little bronze rated R5 3600 on 1:1:1 ratio.
It was a lucky purchase, I didn’t know about this...

Hence the PSA, as I don't think most people are aware of this.
It's something that's easy to check without opening the packaging as well and if you buy it a shop, you can check there and then.

 

[Nuckles56]

Yeah, it would, but apparently they aren't. It's obvious on their website, but only if you pick a SKU that's optimised for AMD and spot the logo.
For example, this kit. However, the AMD bit doesn't show up in their search and there's no option to search specifically for AMD compatible modules.

VENGEANCE® LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3600MHz C14 AMD Ryzen Memory Kit - Black

VENGEANCE LPX memory is designed for high-performance overclocking. The heatspreader is made of pure aluminum for faster heat dissipation, and the eight-layer PCB helps manage heat and provides superior overclocking headroom.

www.corsair.com

That would have been really nice to know back in 2017 when I bought some LPX 3200 cl16 to build my brother's rig, it would have saved me much pain... I never did get that kit to run at 3200, only 2933.

 

[xman2007]

It would be interesting to know what the Z actually denotes as afaik the kits that don't work well on AMD aren't specific to a certain set of dies and some even include Samsung B-die which is generally known to work very well on Ryzen systems

 

[TheLostSwede]

That would have been really nice to know back in 2017 when I bought some LPX 3200 cl16 to build my brother's rig, it would have saved me much pain... I never did get that kit to run at 3200, only 2933.

Yeah, same problem I had in the past.

It would be interesting to know what the Z actually denotes as afaik the kits that don't work well on AMD aren't specific to a certain set of dies and some even include Samsung B-die which is generally known to work very well on Ryzen systems

Sorry, no idea, he didn't go in to that much detail. At least now we know what to get and can give sound advice instead of just telling people there might be problems with LPX modules.

 

[Caring1]

It would be interesting to know what the Z actually denotes

Zen?

 

[NoJuan999]

I just saw this kit on Newegg:
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX (AMD Ryzen Ready) 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) Desktop Memory Model CMK32GX4M2Z3600C18 - Newegg.com
It lists the "Z" kit as:

• AMD Ryzen Ready
• Compatible with AMD Ryzen Series CPU

 

[tabascosauz]

Unfortunately, the very first kit of LPX I tried for my Ryzen is also marked AMD Ryzen Optimized on Corsair's website (CMK32GX4M2B3200C16). It only booted at 2133 with one stick. No Z, however, so that's a promising start.

There is another thing you can potentially check for Corsair if you buy a kit at a brick-and-mortar store. Look at what the Revision Number is without removing the sticks themselves from the plastic tray.

"Version Number" (reddit.com)

4.31 = Samsung, 8Gb, B-die (probably won't have trouble booting)
4.32 = Samsung, 8Gb, C-die (real bad time, can't go past 1.35V, identifies in Thaiphoon as B-die but most definitely not B-die)
5.32 = Hynix, 8Gb, probably CJR (usually boots and OCs okay with Ryzen)
5.39 = Hynix, 8Gb, probably MFR (I recall this is what mine was, probably stay tf away)

Also, some anecdotal claims that not even Revision number is a guarantee, that other dies can be found under the same number. Fun.

Honestly, this is why you should just buy something from G.skill instead. If you're able to look at the sticks in the store, their 042 code's last five digits on the sticker will actually tell you with certainty what the chips will be, to more accuracy than Thaiphoon. Also in the Reddit guide.

 

[Sandbo]

That's interesting, what I followed in the past was the die used, and I got either Samsung B-die and Micron E-die, both did pretty well in general (I only really use low freq like 3200 MHz so it might not matter).

 

[TheLostSwede]

Unfortunately, the very first kit of LPX I tried for my Ryzen is also marked AMD Ryzen Optimized on Corsair's website (CMK32GX4M2B3200C16). It only booted at 2133 with one stick. No Z, however, so that's a promising start.

There is another thing you can potentially check for Corsair if you buy a kit at a brick-and-mortar store. Look at what the Revision Number is without removing the sticks themselves from the plastic tray.

"Version Number" (reddit.com)

4.31 = Samsung, 8Gb, B-die (probably won't have trouble booting)
4.32 = Samsung, 8Gb, C-die (real bad time, can't go past 1.35V, identifies in Thaiphoon as B-die but most definitely not B-die)
5.32 = Hynix, 8Gb, probably CJR (usually boots and OCs okay with Ryzen)
5.39 = Hynix, 8Gb, probably MFR (I recall this is what mine was, probably stay tf away)

Also, some anecdotal claims that not even Revision number is a guarantee, that other dies can be found under the same number. Fun.

Honestly, this is why you should just buy something from G.skill instead. If you're able to look at the sticks in the store, their 042 code's last five digits on the sticker will actually tell you with certainty what the chips will be, to more accuracy than Thaiphoon. Also in the Reddit guide.

I could never get my 5.32's over 3000MHz and that was touch and go. Early on, they wouldn't go over 2133MHz, but that was with a Ryzen 1700 on an X370 board, so obviously a lot of issues back then in general. They were 3200MHz modules.
Not had any problems with my Patriot Viper Steel modules that should in theory use the same ICs.

 

[bimmerdriver]

First post here, also OC noob, so please excuse my questions. Also, not trying to thread-jack.

I recently bought CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 (2X16) to use with a 3400G processor in a B450M DH3H MB. The system will not boot if I select the XMP profile. Otherwise, it boots up at 2133.

I specifically ordered this memory because it was on the MB support list. I was not aware of the "Z" in the part number being for AMD, otherwise I would have chosen another kit.

According to Thaiphoon burner, the manufacturer is Nanya and the die density is 8 GB A-die, which DRAM Calculator for Ryzen does not recognize. Is this RAM equivalent to Micron A-die?

I'm wondering if I should return this RAM and order something else. It seems like a waste to have ordered 3200.

 

[Caring1]

The Ryzen5 3400G supports up to 2933MHz Ram.
I'd return it and get another set, Nanya chips aren't the best.

 

[xu^]

Mine are working fine so far, altho i did only build the machine 4 days ago LPX 3600 CMK16GX4M2D3600C18

 

[Sandbo]

Just want to add, this set of 16GB*2
F4-3600C16D-32GVKC
work at XMP at 3600 C16 for me with B550 and 3600X.
(tested with 8+8 hrs Karhu RAM test and Prime 95 blend)

 

[bimmerdriver]

The Ryzen5 3400G supports up to 2933MHz Ram.
I'd return it and get another set, Nanya chips aren't the best.

Thank you for the reply. I contacted Corsair and they said it's not supported on a Ryzen, even though it's on the Gigabyte support list for the MB. I will be returning it and getting something else.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Just want to add, this set of 16GB*2
F4-3600C16D-32GVKC
work at XMP at 3600 C16 for me with B550 and 3600X.
(tested with 8+8 hrs Karhu RAM test and Prime 95 blend)

Wrong thread mate. This is specifically about Corsair LPX modules.

Thank you for the reply. I contacted Corsair and they said it's not supported on a Ryzen, even though it's on the Gigabyte support list for the MB. I will be returning it and getting something else.

QVL's are mostly useless imho, as they're a list of RAM that the motherboard makers have at hand, nothing more, nothing less. They don't request memory from the memory makers, although they do get sent memory from them. This is also why the QVL's are so random.
Try setting the timings and Voltage manually and they might work.

 

[Caring1]

I just bought this kit for my son's build after reading this thread a while back.
CMK16GX4M2Z3200C16
I compared to what initially seemed to be an identical kit except it had an E instead of the Z in the name.
The difference is in the details.

Memory Series	Vengeance LPX
Memory Type	DDR4
Memory Size	16GB Kit (2 x 8GB)
Tested Latency	16-18-18-36
Tested Voltage	1.35V
Tested Speed	3200MHz
Memory Colour	Black
SPD Latency	16-18-18-35
SPD Speed	2666 MHz
SPD Voltage	1.2 V
Speed rating	PC4-25600 (3200MHz)

Compared to the E version below

MEMORY SERIES	VENGEANCE LPX
MEMORY TYPE	DDR4
MEMORY SIZE	16GB Kit (2 x 8GB)
TESTED LATENCY	16-20-20-38
TESTED VOLTAGE	1.35V
TESTED SPEED	3200MHz
MEMORY COLOR	BLACK
SPD LATENCY	15-15-15-36
SPD SPEED	2133MHz
SPD VOLTAGE	1.2V
SPEED RATING	PC4-25600 (3200MHz)

 

[TheLostSwede]

Which one is which?
Also, do we know if the two modules uses the same brand of DRAM chips?