For several weeks now, several memory module manufacturers have been announcing the imminent arrival of DDR5 CUDIMM (Clocked Unbuffered Dual Inline Memory Module) memory kits. What’s special about these new modules, compared to what we currently know from DDR5 UDIMM, is the presence of a new chip integrated into the PCB, called the CKD (Client Clock Driver).
OK, but what does this actually change? These new CUDIMM memory kits will make it possible to reach higher frequencies than we currently know. This CDK chip will dynamically adjust the memory frequency and voltage according to the workload. From what we have been able to read, DDR5 CUDIMM kits will need an Arrow Lake processor, and therefore the 15th GEN memory controller, as well as a Z890 platform to operate. It’s hard to say at the moment whether a BIOS update might enable them to be used on the Z790 chipset, for example.
One thing’s for sure: in addition to a new Arrow Lake processor and a new Z890 motherboard, you’ll also need to buy a new CUDIMM DDR5 memory kit in order to benefit from the advantages of the CDK chip. At the beginning of September, V-Color announced the arrival of 32GB (2 x 16GB) and 48GB (2 x 24GB) 6400 MT/s kits, capable of reaching frequencies of 9200 MT/s! We also saw a kit from Teamgroup pass stability tests at 9200 MT/s without any difficulty. There is one last unknown: the price of this next generation of DDR5 memory.
