Question Best/fastest memory for MSI Carbon WiFi MB+9950X3D?

[jrmoore1965]

Hello and thank you for reading.
I am preparing to build when the 9950X3D is generally available but I have some confusion over the memory specifications. In the sales blurb on MSI's website I see DDR5-9200+MT/sec. Under the specifications page I find the information pasted below. All of the numbers are starting to blur together and I'm having trouble selecting memory DIMMs for the build. I don't build often and tend to go for top-of-the-line components so the system will last. I'd like to start with 2x32GB so I can up the board later to 128GB if I choose. Can anyone shed some light on the number-soup? Also, the memory compatibility list referenced on the spec's page doesn't seem to exist (or is better at hide-and-seek than I am.) Thank you in advance for any clarification or suggestions.
JM


4x DDR5 UDIMM, Maximum Memory Capacity 256GB
Memory Support 9200 - 6400 (OC) MT/s / 6400 - 4800 (JEDEC) MT/s
Max. overclocking frequency:
• 1DPC 1R Max speed up to 9200+ MT/s
• 1DPC 2R Max speed up to 7200+ MT/s
• 2DPC 1R Max speed up to 6400+ MT/s
• 2DPC 2R Max speed up to 5600+ MT/s

Supports Intel POR Speed and JEDEC Speed
Supports Memory Overclocking and Intel XMP 3.0
Supports Dual-Controller Dual-Channel mode
Supports Non-ECC, Un-buffered memory
Supports CUDIMM

• The DIMM slots on this motherboard have single-sided latches.
• Memory compatibility and supported speeds can vary depending on the CPU and memory configuration. For detailed information, please refer to the Memory Compatibility List available on the product’s Support page or visit https://www.msi.com/support/.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

DDR5-6000MHz with tight latencies is what you need to aim for, i.e, that's the sweet spot for Intel's DDR5 platform as well as AMD's AM5 platform. Anything above that frequency wise is expensive, the trade off is minimal and there's the added quandary of instability when you start looking into numbers that are unconventional for daily tasks.

I'd advise on picking up something slightly higher like DDR5-6400MHz or DDR5-6600MHz with tight latencies but nothing beyond that.

If you really do want to pick up ram that's 9200MHz, look through the memory QVL but don't expect to populate all ram slots with that ram frequency as undue stress on the integrated memory controller can prevent a POST.

FYI, which board from MSI's portfolio are you looking at for the AM5 platform? The AM5 platform has a number of chipsets when looking through the AM5 platform under MSI's portfolio.

 

[jrmoore1965]

FYI, which board from MSI's portfolio are you looking at for the AM5 platform?

Thank you so much for your input. You've pointed out an aspect I hadn't considered: Stability.

This is the board I've selected
https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-X870E-CARBON-WIFI/Specification

In watching reviews of the motherboard I came across comments that it "liked fast, new memory." That was what led to the rabbit-hole search. I was looking for DDR5-8000. But stability certainly is a concern and one I didn't know would be exacerbated by faster DIMMS. Based on the input, I'm currently looking at Corsair Dominator. I've got a couple of months to wait for the CPU so I'll dig again in March to see what's new. In the meantime, I'll target this:

​

CORSAIR Dominator Titanium 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5 6600 (PC5 52800) Desktop Memory Model CMP64GX5M2X6600C32
CAS Latency: 32
Voltage: 1.40V
Multi-channel Kit: Dual Channel Kit
Timing: 32-39-39-76
Model #: CMP64GX5M2X6600C32

 

[dwd999]

Since you're planning an AMD system shouldn't you be looking at memory with AMD EXPO Support?