AM5 motherboards are about to receive support for much faster memory
AMD AM5 motherboards are set to receive BIOS updates that add support for the latest wave of high-frequency memory modules. MSI is progressively rolling out the update in question right now, with other vendors certain to follow.
The update allows users to run memory in the DDR5-7000+ range. MSI's press release demonstrates two systems. The first shows a Pro B650-P WIFI running at DDR5-7200, while the second shows an impressive DDR5-8000 on a high end X670E Ace.
The update in question, AGESA PI 1.0.0.7c, introduces some notable tweaks and bug fixes. It will be incorporated into all AM5 platforms, ranging from X670E all the way down to A620. The support for faster memory will be welcomed by some, but you shouldn't rush out and put money down just yet.
The problem is latency. Games typically prefer low latency over raw megahertz. AMD's memory subsystem functions best when the memory and memory controller run in a 1:1 ratio. A Ryzen 7000 CPU's memory controller is usually happy to run up to the 3000MHz range or a bit higher (giving you DDR5-6000 at 1:1), but moving up to DDR5-7000 and higher requires this ratio to be set at 2:1, which means you'll get a latency hit because of the resulting slower memory controller speed.
According to information provided by AMD to Andreas Schilling of HardwareLuxx, The main tweaks to the BIOS code are an expanded range for the tWR timing, and txDFE / enhanced memory training. The timing of this release is interesting as it's been almost a year since the launch of the AM5 platform, but perhaps there's a simple explanation as to why this feature is coming now.
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