Intel Core i7-12700k with DDR4 vs DDR5: Performance Comparison

The YouTube channel Random Benchmark has made an exhaustive analysis and comparative about the I7-12700K with DDR4 and DDR5 memory.

Intel Core i7-12700k with DDR4 vs DDR5: Performance Comparison

The objective of the comparison is to check if DDR5 memories have a positive impact on games.In addition, Ryzen 7,5800x of AMD has been placed to have a competition reference.

Testing equipment

The PC for the tests has the aforementioned Core i7-12700k running on a MSI Mag Tomahawk Z690 Wifi motherboard, which they have combined with a G memory.SKILL TRIDSZ 2x16GB (Dual Rank) of 3600MHz with a latencies of CL16-16-16-36 (Gear 1).

The other motherboard used was the ASUS ROG Strix Z690-F Gaming, which admits DDR5 memories.In this motherboard they used the Corsair Vengeance 2x16GB variant of 5200MHz, with times of CL38-38-38-84 (Gear 2).

The graphics card used is the MSI RTX 3080 ti suppress x.Keep in mind that the tests were performed with a resizable bar activated.

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Interesting fact is that the tests were replicated in the Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems, to check what impact the new operating system has.

Test of performance

The number of games tested in the video is extensive, knowing: Forza Horizon 5, Age of Empires IV, Call of Duty Warzone, Call of Duty Warzone, CSGO, Cyberpunk 2077, Days Gone, Death Stranding, F1 2021, Far Cry 6,Fortnite DX11, Horizon Zero Dawn, Microsoft Flight Simulator, Pub Battlegrounds, Red Dead Redemption 2, Shadow of The Tomb Raider, Watch Dogs Legion.All games were tested at a 1080p resolution.

The results are the most diverse, with an Ryzen 7 5800X that exceeds, sometimes at 12700k with DDR5.Apparently, the latencies of DDR5 memories make the performance in games worse than with the 12700K running with a DDR4 memory with minor latencies, despite the fact that the speed is much higher (3600 MHz vs. 5200 MHz).

In most tests, the 12700k + DDR4 wins, except on some occasions, as with Death Stranding or Horizon Zero Dawn.This makes us rethink if it is worth combining DDR5 memories with Alder Lake.At the moment, it does not seem the smartest option if we think of a computer to play.

The impact of Windows 11 on games also seems disparate.A good improvement in PUBG is seen, for example.In other games the impact is minimal or anecdotal, while in the Red Dead Redemption 2 there is a clear worsening of performance.

Conclusions

The tests seem revealing, having as a clear winner the Intel Core i7-12700K with DDR4 memory, which achieves better results in most tests, except for some exceptions.This is a surprise, since we believed that a higher speed of the memoirs would make a clear difference in games, but we were wrong.However, we will have to wait for new performance tests with other memories and other latency settings.

As always, the adoption and success of DDR5 memories will depend on its price.Right now, a 16GB DDR5 memory can cost, minimum, about 150 euros with a speed of between 4800 and 5200 MHz, which does not compensate for the very little or no performance gain against DDR4 memories in video games.We will keep you informed.