Motherboard recommendations. Stay with DDR4 or go to DDR 5?

Megaman

Megaman

Well-known member
It seems the upgrade itch is still exhibiting a slight itch. Looking to go Alder Lake 12700K however I’m up and down on whether to stick to DDR 4 or go to DDR 5 but from what I can tell DDR 5 will be something to hold off for at least Meteor Lake.

I don’t like the idea of splurging on a new build and keeping the old tech, in this case DDR4.

What is everyone’s thought?

I’d need recommendation on an ASUS TUF board though.
 
Depends on how much money you want to throw away and the longevity you expect to get out of the system. Idea was to give you a stop gap until next gen AMD and Intel are out. If that is true I would really minimize the spend and go with Asus TUF Z690 Plus D4 board and a 12700K.

If money is no issue then go with Asus Strix or Apex board with DDR5 5200 or higher (depending on availability, speed and timings).

All reviews I have read said there is no benefit to DDR5 in gaming so unless you are working on CPU heavy workloads or image processing I doubt you will see some benefit. Even then the benefit is in range of 3-5%.

Your current ram should easily be able to hit 3600-3800 speeds btw.
 
ASUS TUF and 12700k. Done. 3200C14 should easily do 4000C16 at a minimum. I'd run 3800-4000 with tight timings in Gear1 and let it roll.
 
Just go 12700k and keep your 3200 cl14 DDR4. You're getting 90% or more of the gaming performance of 12900k and DDR5 for half the cost.

As for boards I'd probably go the strix but tuf will save you a few bucks and do the job.


What 24/7 memory speed did you end up at nunz?
 
Megagay doesn't overclock. No point going higher than TUF for him. I would even say a barebones prime or prime wifi might do the trick for him if he really wants to save dough.
 
I haven't been home since end of November, but I kept running into issues with 4000C14 in Gear1. I suspect it's BIOS immaturity. I had went to 3733 13-14-14-28 at 1.5v just to enjoy the rig for a few days.

Seems some people have IMCs that aren't good enough for 4000 G1 which in my opinion is unacceptable. I bet I can get 4000 stable, I just didn't have enough time to keep fooling with it. I would pass all stress-tests but then CTD playing Halo Infinite for 15min, it was weird.
 
Unless you need an extra M2 slot or something, save the money. Strix and TUF are built the same.
 
That boards layout looks mint and will go well with my current rig. Let me come home from work to rethink it.
 
That would be my choice. TUF would honestly be fine though if you don't care about on board audio, power phases for oc, or potential mem oc.

I had similar issues with RKL nunz and just left it at 3733 to game.
 
It's all about the silicon lottery on the CPU. The boards are all overbuilt on z690, just like z590.

If you look at the specs of the STRIX vs the TUF they really aren't different at all .. especially in terms of quality. VRMs are extremely overbuilt even on the TUF. Both are overclocking the same.. couple guys tested on OCN . Swapped from TUF to STRIX and got exact same results.
 
Nothing wrong with the tuf but the strix is better spec'd in all areas from power delivery to audio. I'd personally out lay for the strix but the tuf is fine.

But let's face it, they are both low to mid range boards. Wish there were better options for DDR4.

Given there's already 6600 or 6800mhz DDR5 on the market I think we aren't far away from DDR5 showing its strengths.
 
The extra power delivery is great if it's a limitation .. but is it? From all I've seen, nope.

I will say the audio and extra M2 stuff is great but not something I utilize since I'm still a dinosaur with a sound-card lol
 
Is Meteor Lake supported on current lga 1700? Just something to think about if planning to keep board for a while. Think z370 and z390.
 
I believe Intel said it would be supported prior to Alder Lake release.

Good point though. :up: I plan on going to Sapphire Rapids (HEDT) at the end of the year, so I purchased the TUF as a cheap ****-around board.
 
I contemplated between both Strix and TUF boards that you are looking at Megagay. During my limited research there was virtually no difference in what performance people got out of either board. If you think aesthetics are worth an extra 50 then go for the Strix. I know I would’ve.
 
Yeah the aesthetics is what is bringing me in with that Strix. I can grab that board for $599 not the $629 advertised price.


Funny how CPL have the 12700KF for $699 and $669 for the 12700k. Must be a mistake. Should take advantage of it.
 
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