INTRODUCTION

    CUDIMM (Clocked Unbuffered DIMM) DDR5 RAM kits have been around for a couple of months already and even though currently only Intel supports them with their latest Z890 motherboards this will soon change (more Intel models on the way and AMD may also follow later on). On top of that thanks to speeds all the way up to 9000MHz-MT/s and higher CUDIMM kits are starting to become the number one choice of not only enthusiasts and professionals but also gamers. Still, not all CUDIMM DDR5 RAM kits are of such high frequencies, there are also cost-effective models like the latest 32GB 6400MT/s DDR5 Dual-Channel Kit released just a few weeks ago by Crucial.

We are an industry leader in innovative memory and storage solutions transforming how the world uses information to enrich life for all. With a relentless focus on our customers, technology leadership, and manufacturing and operational excellence, Micron delivers a rich portfolio of high-performance DRAM, NAND and NOR memory and storage products through our Micron® and Crucial® brands. Every day, the innovations that our people create fuel the data economy, enabling advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications that unleash opportunities — from the data center to the intelligent edge and across the client and mobile user experience. To learn more about Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), visit micron.com.

    So, what is the latest CUDIMM technology and what does it do exactly? Well as included in the name CUDIMM modules are equipped with CKD (Clock Driver) components which help improve stability and performance by buffering all distributed signals. Since this basically means there's no longer need for XMP profiles on compatible motherboards (plug and play of sorts) and available speeds should soon surpass 10000MT/s CUDIMM kits are the perfect choice for demanding workloads such as AI computing, high-performance data processing, and machine learning. The 32GB DDR5 6400MT/s Dual Channel Kit by Crucial is their sole CUDIMM kit as of now (single 16GB modules are also available – XMP 3.0 and EXPO compatible) and is equipped with Micron single-die, single-side modules featuring a CAS latency of 52 and requiring just 1.1V. Unfortunately, since this is their entry-level line, the modules lack heatspreaders but even so thanks to their low voltage requirements they should still allow for a somewhat good overclocking headroom. As for warranty Crucial offers a lifetime limited one except from Germany and France where they offer a 10 year limited one.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

THE 32GB DDR5 32GB 6400MT/s CL52 CUDIMM DUAL-CHANNEL KIT

Crucial ships their CUDIMM kit inside a clear plastic clamshell package which allows you to see the modules.

As mentioned earlier the modules come without any heatspreaders just a sticker at the front  which as usual has the capacity, voltage requirements, CAS latency, country if manufacture and several certifications.

For all of you wondering the clock driver is located at the lower center of the modules as seen above.

Since these are single sided modules, the other side is empty.

At 32mm height these CUDIMM modules should feel right at home in any case out there.

The lack of heatspreaders also means no RGB lighting for these modules (still, for some people this will be fine).

Once again, CUDIMM DDR5 RAM has no XMP profiles to choose from, everything is done automatically (there’s a single 9733 OC profile available which is obviously not for this kit).

Thanks to AIDA64 we can check information about this kit.

TEST BED

TESTING METHODOLOGY

   Thanks to XMP 3.0 and EXPO profiles the only thing one needs to do in order to run a brand new RAM kit at its advertised frequency, timings and voltages is to choose/enable it from within the BIOS and reboot (for CUDIMM you don’t need to do anything when used with a compatible motherboard). That being said if you're into overclocking you may not wish to use the main XMP/EXPO profile but instead to choose your very own frequency, timings and voltages to achieve even higher performance numbers and that's exactly what we'll also be doing during our DDR5 tests. To be more specific aside testing each kit with its XMP profile I'll also be upping the voltages (up to 1.4V for 1.35V kits – even though most kits can function at higher voltages I don’t recommend doing so - RAM modules that use 1.4V/1.45V/1.5V will be tested up to 1.45V/1.5V/1.55V respectively) and frequencies (200MHZ increments) until I find the maximum achievable stable frequency (those results will be entered into the OC charts). I also thought about upping voltages and reducing timings instead of increasing the frequency of the modules as high as it can go (always stable and without using 0.5-1V over stock) but the end results are pretty much identical.

   As for the how I'll be testing each DDR5 Dual-Kit to arrive in the lab well there aren't that many benchmark programs that only test RAM (or at least RAM and CPU without anything else coming into play) but I’ve got most of them and so you will be seeing results from following benchmarking programs, AIDA64 Engineer Edition, Cinebench Release 23, MaxMemm2, Passmark Performance Test v10.1, Sisoftware Sandra Titanium and WPrime v2.11. All tests are performed on a fresh Windows 10 Pro x64 installation (complete with all updates until the day of this review) and are repeated a total of 6 times after which the average numbers get recorded into the charts.

* Forza Horizon 5 is also used in DDR5 tests to showcase potential gains between stock and overclocked clocks/frequencies (1080p/Extreme Graphics). Still do keep in mind that I can't dedicate a high-end GPU solely for DDR5 reviews so each time I review such a kit I’ll be using a different chart (the card used will be listed above).

TEST RESULTS – STOCK PROFILE

TEST RESULTS – OVERCLOCK

TEST RESULTS – FORZA HORIZON 5

CONCLUSION

    3 are the main takeaways of this review, first that CUDIMM modules (and perhaps even CAMM2 if developers can resolve certain scaling issues) are the future, second that CUDIMM modules are plug and play  when used with compatible motherboards (no need to enter BIOS to select a profile) and third that as you manually up clocks timings increase alongside them. Also I need to point out two things, first that from the next CUDIMM review such kits will have their own charts (different systems so not quite fair to have both UDIMM and CUDIMM in the same charts) and second that I’ll be using the Core 9 Ultra 285k system at stock settings meaning no overclocking like I do with the 13900k system (should allow for easier comparison of my results with that of anyone else’s – not to mention I may be swapping motherboards soon). Going back to the RAM at hand it’s a bit strange to see Crucial/Micron release a CUDIMM kit running at just 6400MHz and even though you can up clocks or reduce timings (too much room for that due to low stock voltage) the lack of heatspreaders will not let you get away with a lot (I strongly recommend using them at stock settings).

    Just before the end of the year the 32GB DDR5 6400MHz CL52 CUDIMM kit by Crucial (CT2K16G64C52CU5) retails for USD169.99/195.55Euros directly from Crucial a price tag which although balanced will probably seem like a lot to some people (based on stock clocks). I also tend to agree and so although the very first CUDIMM kit by Crucial performs well it’s not what people looking for a CUDIMM kit will look for, not just based on stock clocks but also the lack of heatspreaders. If however, you don’t care about those things and are able to find this kit for less then I do suggest giving it a shot, it might just surprise you.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Good Overall Performance
- Clock Driver Technology (Stability / Performance)
- Limited Lifetime Warranty (10 Year Limited One In France & Germany)

CONS

- Price (For Some)
- Only 1 Kit Available