Wow, that was a lot of benchmarking! Now we have covered the basic performance metrics and plenty of overclocking, it is time to put everything into perspective. Those already familiar with high frequency DDR5 memory may find a lot of the core concepts in this conclusion redundant. Be warned, those who are less tech nerdy may be overwhelmed by the terminology going forwards. That being said, we will start off by going over which platform this memory kit is best suited for, what Patriot could improve upon to make a better product, and finish up on a positive note.

Pulling the band-aid off right away, those of you who are AMD users are going to be disappointed to hear that 8000 MT/s and beyond is unlikely to be stable using a Ryzen 7000 CPU without some serious time dedicated to dialing in all the settings. It isn't a Patriot problem, and in fact this memory performs quite well beyond the XMP profile of 8000 MT/s for Intel systems. With AMD'/s release of AGESA 1.0.0.7b to motherboards, it now gives AM5 users 7200 MT/s support and beyond. This also means the memory controller now must operate in a 2:1 ratio (UCLK:MCLK / 2) to the system memory if 6600 MT/s+ is to be bootable. That in turn increases latency, thus lowers performance of latency sensitive applications..

An intersection exists where memory operating in a 2:1 ratio will perform equal to a lower frequency kit in a 1:1 ratio configuration for AMD users. The debate continues as to what that magic number is, with most suggesting from preliminary benchmark data it is around 8000-8400 MT/s. The argument over which is better (2:1 or 1:1) ultimately comes down to if the program in question benefits more from higher bandwidth or lower latency. One could argue that a person with the technical expertise to run 8400 MT/s or above is also tweaking the memory timings. Therefore, this same individual could maximize the same memory kit in a 1:1 ratio at a lower frequency and get similar or better results. For those who aren't XOC talented individuals like myself, you will be limited to under 8000 MT/s. For reference, the Ryzen 9 7950X on hand used for memory reviews tops out at 7600 MT/s, when sticking to safe daily voltages.

In any case, Patriot does not market the Viper Xtreme 5 series towards AMD users (yet). The "bad news" for compatibility continues, though, as neither Intel 12th Generation (K) Processors or Intel Z690 motherboards are recommended for use even at the lowest XMP profile (DDR5-7600). Simply put, unless you have one of the few XOC originated Z690 motherboards that can boot this memory and enjoy using XOC voltages, don't buy! Patriot has a number of good Viper Venom kits that are more favorable for Alder Lake CPUs.

For best chances of success using the pre-binned frequencies (XMP profiles) is to use a Intel 13th Generation (K) Processors (13600K, 13700K, 13900K), or future unreleased Intel CPUs, and (select) Intel Z790 based motherboards. Patriot has provided three different XMP profiles, which is great for troubleshooting and those who would rather not deal with the potential complications by manually setting voltages and timings. The "select" motherboard notation refers to the lack of qualified 4-DIMM slot Intel Z790 motherboards capable of running 7600 MT/s+. In truth, those who would enjoy a more plug and play setup will have to find a 2-DIMM slot motherboard and only a few exist. However, some motherboard vendors during Computex 2023 showcasing upcoming Z790 Refresh (X / MAX), left the specification open to interpretation. DDR5-9000+ on a 4-DIMM slot motherboard? Either the Intel 14th Generation (K) Processors are getting a serious IMC overhaul or motherboard makers have been working hard behind the scenes. In either case, it's just speculation at this point, with this review focusing on what is available today and not tomorrow.

By now you must have seen the Editor's Choice badge and wonder how can something with limited real-world performance over 7200 MT/s and strict hardware requirements be worthy of any praise? The answer from an objective standpoint is not straight forward as it may seem. From one perspective, a memory kit that pushes beyond the needs of the CPU or any current generation graphics card is a waste of money in a practical sense. From another viewpoint, this memory kit was never solely about getting better real-world results, but rather the ability to push hardware beyond the consumer playground, beyond the PC enthusiast vantage point and into the XOC realm. This memory kit is a time saver for all things memory overclocking related. Instead of buying a box of OEM green sticks from Taiwan or any SK Hynix A-Die kit for that matter, binning it yourself and hoping for a top performer, this is already pre-binned. This removes some of the frustrations in overclocking low-binned memory.

As we wrap up this review, it's worth acknowledging that system memory often only plays a minor role in higher frame rates for a majority of users. The lowest latency and highest bandwidth will always provide the best results. Still though, other components like the Processor and Graphics Card play a much larger role in the overall frame rate for games. It only when your system is already optimized for a given resolution, will memory help raise those 1% lows and averages across the board. Essentially, the game in question must be limited by the Processor for high frequency memory to show a major uplift in the frame rate.

This Patriot Viper Xtreme 5 RGB DDR5-8000 is not recommended for the casual user, or those who aren't interested in the highest "performance." Patriot sells plenty of memory kits for every type of user. This one is really meant for those who like to tinker with memory. Overclocking memory is a three-way puzzle. The motherboard, processor and system memory all have different limitations. Finding which is the weakest link is a big part of the overclock. Is it the motherboard causing the memory not to boot? Could the processor IMC be weak? Maybe it's just the memory kit not reaching the target. Does a top tier pre-binned memory kit that has three XMP profiles sound good? It is a major time saver and a great entry point for those looking to get deeper into memory overclocking. To speak candidly, since having this memory kit for about three months it has been a blast to use. Breaking one kit already (sorry Patriot!), many personal records have been overtaken, and I have learned a lot from experimenting with different motherboards. Knowing that this memory is not the bottleneck allowed a more level-headed, methodical approach to solving boot problems and stability issues that come with the territory. Even though this sample was provided for free for reviewing purposes, I would buy it myself and recommend it to anyone who values their time. Thanks Patriot, I didn't know I needed this to increase my memory overclocking skills, but I was wrong. Can't wait for Viper Xtreme 5 DDR5-10000!