A Closer Look

A quick look at the PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB memory after removing it from the packaging, and it looks quite different from the DDR4 predecessor. Besides the XLR8 logo, everything else is different. This XLR8 DDR5 series is also sold in either Black or White color options.


PNY has placed the XLR8 logo the left of one side and using different heatspreaders for each side. This doesn't include the "MAKO" text, which can be found of either side in the same place.


On one side of each DIMM module is the identification sticker listing the SKU, rated XMP operating frequency at its corresponding voltage of 1.40, and XMP/EXPO related timings. PNY keeps the information in an easy-to-read format and uses the correct technical (PC5-51200) DDR5 terms as well, which is great for those who aren't that tech-savvy and will have a hard time deciphering a block of text into something useful.


Laying the DIMMs on the side, you can see the "XLR8" branding centered and written in black text. The entire plastic strip in the middle will be illuminated when the system is powered on and lighting can be controlled with supported motherboard software.


The PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB DDR5-6400 Z-Height is 40 mm after rounding up with calipers and weighs in at 47 g on the scale.


After taking the heat spreader off, we see that these are single-sided DIMMs with eight 2 GB ICs. This is as expected for a DDR5 32 GB kit, since densities increased with DDR5. The thermal pad covers all the memory ICs. This particular kit does have coverage for the PMIC and surrounding components.


A closer look at the ICs shows that these are branded as PNY, but they are in fact SK Hynix. Currently, Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are the three big suppliers of DDR5 ICs. When it comes to overclocking, the SK Hynix ICs do provide the highest frequencies and scales better with higher voltage. The kit we have here today is most likely using A-Die (2 GB) based on the overclocking results (7600 MT/s). This SK Hynix A-Die is the successor to M-Die (2 GB) and is known for its high overclocking capabilities.

However, it should be pointed out that this does not guarantee that the SK Hynix A-Die will be used for future batches. You are ultimately taking a chance of getting the preferred memory brands and revisions when buying for overclocking purposes. It is recommended to buy pre-binned to the desired specifications, not what you hope to achieve from overclocking instead.


With DDR5, one of the major changes is how the motherboard directly provides 5 V to the memory module's PMIC, which is then stepped down and split accordingly. No longer is the motherboard responsible for regulating the voltages, as with DDR4. The PMIC has the part number "OP=AH F62," software reports Richtek being the manufacturer.