Question AMD DDR5 memory support confusion ?

[david.hooper0331]

Hi,

So, I'm building a budget AMD DDR5 build for a friend.
It's the first time I've built a DDR5 machine so am being super careful.
So I price up a rig on PC part picker (see here:https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/list/7TVrJM ). But, when I come to double checking the compatibility on the motherboard manufacturer list and using the RAM's model number from there, these RAM sticks almost universally, specifically state that they are Intel XMP compatible, with no mention of AMD EXPO. And yet they are listed in the RAM compatibility list of an AMD motherboard. Then with a little bit of looking, I can usually find an equivalent EXPO model which isn't on the compatibility list.
For example,
The MSI PRO A620M-E (https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-A620M-E/support#mem)
It does have this Corsair Vengence (https://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-VENGEANCE-5600MHz-Compatible-Computer/dp/B09NCNF2ZQ) memory on the list despite it being specifically labelled Intel XMP.
However, this AMD EXPO version (https://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-Vengeance-5200MHz-Compatible-Computer/dp/B0BD4V2Q42/ref=sr_1_3?crid=XPKZSP351R0M&keywords=corsair+vengeance+ddr5+amd&qid=1689624057&sprefix=CORSAIR+VENGEANCE+DDR5+,aps,284&sr=8-3), isn't on the list.

It's an AMD board. I don't understand, what am I missing?

Thanks in Advance,

Regards,
David

 

[Why_Me]

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/pwxRsY/gskill-flare-x5-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr5-6000-cl36-memory-f5-6000j3636f16gx2-fx5

Desktop Memory (U-DIMM/CK-DIMM) - Flare X5 (DDR5/AMD EXPO) - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Designed for performance, G.SKILL desktop memory is engineered from hand-selected components and rigorously tested for stability and compatibility.

www.gskill.com

 

[david.hooper0331]

https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/pwxRsY/gskill-flare-x5-32-gb-2-x-16-gb-ddr5-6000-cl36-memory-f5-6000j3636f16gx2-fx5

Desktop Memory (U-DIMM/CK-DIMM) - Flare X5 (DDR5/AMD EXPO) - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Designed for performance, G.SKILL desktop memory is engineered from hand-selected components and rigorously tested for stability and compatibility.

www.gskill.com

But that is not on the RAM support list of any of the motherboards I've referenced.

 

[Misgar]

New RAM modules are released on a regular basis and motherboard manufacturers' Qualified Vendor Lists play a game of "catch up". This assumes the likes of Asus, Asrock, Gigabyte and MSI can afford to test every single new DIMM when it appears. That's why many RAM modules do not appear in the lists.

XMP values are optimized for use with Intel CPUs and can often be used with AMD CPUs, but a little manual tweaking might be necessary with either CPU type. EXPO values (where they exist) may differ slightly from XMP values in the same kit.

If you buy a kit of RAM with EXPO settings, you might get a more stable overclock than with XMP values, but nothing's 100% guaranteed. None of my AMD rigs have RAM with EXPO settings. When I built my 7950X rig in 2022, affordable 32GB DDR5 EXPO DIMMs were virtually non-existent.

Just because the RAM manufacturer and mobo manufacturer claim their products will overclock to, say, 6,000MT/s, doesn't mean all combinations of components will be stable at that clock rate. A quick check through web forums show people with unstable memory overclocks on AMD and Intel rigs.

Do a little research and see if you can find reviews of your choice of components and see if anyone has reported problems. When you build the system, start with EXPO/XMP disabled, to improve your chances of booting past POST and installing the OS successfully.

 

[Jason-Julius]

RAM compatibility shouldn't be a major concern if a module mentions Intel XMP compatibility. Nowadays, most RAM sticks are designed to work with both Intel and AMD platforms. While the compatibility list may not cover all models, if a RAM stick is listed for an AMD motherboard, it should be compatible. To gain extra confidence, consider checking user reviews or forums for real-world experiences. Best of luck with your AMD DDR5 build!