AMD confirms that Ryzen 7000 processors will be compatible with DDR5 memory at 5600 MHz, although overclocking will allow them to run smoothly with memory modules that reach higher frequencies. However, we must keep in mind that, as with previous generations of Ryzen processors, we will have a maximum ceiling that we will not be able to exceed if we want to maintain 1:1 mode and that the ceiling will be 6,000 MHz.

In case anyone is lost, I remind you that the importance of 1:1 mode is very big, but to understand it, we need to be clear about how Ryzen processors from AMD work. These have three key elements:

• The Infinity Cloth Clock (FCLK), which determines the speed at which the CPU cores can communicate with other chiplets, including the CCD units and the I/O unit. In the Ryzen 5000, its maximum frequency is 2000 MHz, so it can work with RAM at a maximum of 4000 MHz while maintaining a 1:1 frequency ratio (RAM is “double data rate”).
• The memory controller (UCLK), which determines the maximum speed at which the memory controller can operate.
• The Memory Clock (MCLK), which is the speed of the RAM we installed.

If the RAM runs faster than the FCLK can tolerate, it switches from 1:1 mode to 1:2 mode. When it works in 1:1 mode, the FCLK will work at 2000 MHz and the rest of the elements will be perfectly synchronized, which means that if we have RAM installed at 4000 MHz, it will maintain this speed. However, if 1:2 mode was activated, the speed would be halvedso FCLK would run at 1000 MHz and RAM at 2000 MHz.

With all the above in mind, we already know why it is important to know that the Ryzen 7000 will be able to work in 1:1 mode with DDR5 at a maximum frequency of 6000 MHz. mounting faster RAM would not make senseand that it’s likely that the sweet spot for good performance with these processors is in DDR5 at 5200MHz. The Ryzen 7000 will have an FCLK of 3 GHz.

When we look at previous generations, we see this AMD would make an important leap with Ryzen 7000 as they will be able to use DDR5 memories at 6000 MHz in 1:1 mode, while Ryzen 5000 peaked at DDR4 at 4000 MHz and Ryzen 3000 at DDR4 at 3800 MHz. , the optimal point. of both started in 3200 MHz with low latency.

I remind you that all this is a consequence of the design of the Ryzen processorswhich use a modular architecture with connected chips. This is where the Infinity Fabric Clocks come in, as they are the key to all the chips communicating properly. In the case of processors with a monolithic design, this element does not exist, because we have a single chip (one case).