G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 CL36 2x 24 GB Review 13

G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 CL36 2x 24 GB Review

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Value and Conclusion

  • The 48 GB (2x 24 GB) G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 CL36 kit is available for around US$205-215.
  • Single-Rank DIMMs for higher compatibility
  • Good for Intel 13th Generation CPU
  • Unified RGB lighting
  • Decent overclocking abilities*
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • JEDEC DDR5-5600 profile
  • May not work for Intel 12th Generation CPUs
  • Will not work for many Z690 motherboards
  • Poor performance for AMD systems
  • Lower "performance" compared to (2x 16 GB) variants
  • No thermal pad on PMIC
  • Only one memory profile (XMP)
  • Will not work without a supported motherboard (BIOS Update)
*User results may vary


Now that we have benchmarked this memory and performed a bit of overclocking, there is a fair amount to go over. 48 GB and 96 GB memory kits are the newest to come out, offering the highest density configurations in a desktop for consumers not already on a HEDT platform. As such, there are considerations to be made when deciding which memory is best for your system and personal needs. Those who have read previous DDR5-7200 memory reviews may find a lot of the core pros and cons similar across all the different brands. However, there is a twist due to the DIMM density increasing! We will go over which platform this memory kit is best suited for, what G.SKILL could improve upon to make a better product, and finish up on a positive note.

To start off, let's talk about compatibility and the requirements to use this specific memory kit from G.SKILL. There are two parts here: the first is the non-binary aspect, in which the motherboard must support this memory configuration. For example, if the motherboard in question does not, the incorrect amount of memory allocated could contribute to system crashes or the system simply failing to successfully boot. Certainly going forward, both AMD and Intel motherboards will have a newer BIOS for older models ready, and those units coming from the factory will eventually have one pre-updated as well for all current motherboards. G.SKILL does not provide customers with this information up front, which can lead to frustration for new users who aren't aware of the problems it can cause without proper motherboard BIOS support.

Next up is supported platforms, or rather, what not to use. Due to the XMP profile operating at 7200 MT/s, the first generation of DDR5 motherboards from Intel (B660 / Z690) are unlikely to boot with this memory. This extends to Intel 12th Generation Processors, which, even when paired with an Intel Z790 motherboard, do not offer a compatibility guarantee either. In fact, G.SKILL only validates this memory with Intel 13th Generation (K) Processors (13600K, 13700K, 13900K), or future unreleased Intel CPUs, and Intel Z790 based motherboards.

Those who like to get extra performance from overclocking will find the 3 GB SK Hynix variants are decent enough for a nice boost in frequency, but doesn't match what the 2 GB A-Die can achieve with the same DRAM voltage applied. As shown in the Frametime Analysis section, this "performance" boost is only seen in a theoretical aspect, as realistically, only ultra-competitive gamers using low settings will see the immediate benefits from higher frequency memory and tighter timings. However, those benchmarks are also a way to show that with a more powerful graphics card, a frame gap on higher settings will exist.

This brings us to the AMD platform and why this memory kit is not a good fit for Ryzen 7000 CPUs. As briefly covered previously in this review, the AMD AGESA 1.0.0.7 b motherboard BIOS update now gives AMD users 7200 MT/s support, but it comes with a disadvantage due to the memory controller operating in a 2:1 ratio to the system memory. On a technical level, this causes a major latency penalty and negatively impacts performance. While there is no EXPO profile included, this G.SKILL memory does, in fact, work fine after the newest AGESA update. It just doesn't perform well in comparison to a G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo memory kit with overall better timings and still within the 1:1 ratio "sweet spot."

From the G.SKILL Ripjaws and Flare X for the casual users to the Trident Z5 series, G.SKILL is pushing the everyday limits and providing consumers with a variety of products to suit every type of application. On a technical performance level, these 24 GB DIMMs are inferior to their 16 GB counterparts due to looser primary and sub-timings. This could be easily observed in the Corsair Vengeance 5600 MT/s review because the memory frequency was much lower. As we scale up to 7200 MT/s and beyond, the frame gap shrinks between the two types and becomes a non-issue for anyone but the ultra competitive gamer. In simple terms, if you do not own a 360+ Hz monitor, play Overwatch 2, Counter-Strike, Valorant or another twitch shooter, that dip in the average and 1% will not be noticeable.

This increase in DIMM density allows for more system memory. This directly translates to the ability to have more background programs running like OBS, Discord for streaming, and for those who are content creators, it also greatly decreases the chances of system crashes from lack of memory when working on larger projects. While 7200 MT/s is more geared towards gamers than strictly content creators, the increase in size thanks to non-binary memory is still a welcome addition to the G.SKILL Trident Z5 series. G.SKILL continues to produce high quality memory kits that meet the demands of every type of user. This G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-7200 (2x 24 GB) memory kit is no exception either. G.SKILL gives plenty of reasons to buy, just so long as its pricing stays competitive.
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Nov 1st, 2024 21:20 EDT change timezone

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