Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-7000 CL34 Memory Kit Review (Intel XMP)

After reviewing memory kits for the latest AMD chipsets, we are back with a very interesting option for Intel users. The tested memory kit is from the Corsair Vengeance series, has a 32GB capacity, and is rated at 7000MT/s. The kit is designed for demanding gamers and computer enthusiasts who always want more than the standard. The presented version of Corsair Vengeance doesn’t have RGB illumination but compensates for it with a low-profile heatsink and high frequency. I won’t tell you much more in the introduction, so you must read our review to find out how Corsair Vengeance 7000MT/s memory kit performs and overclocks.

Specifications and Features

Push the limits of your system like never-before with DDR5 memory, unlocking even faster frequencies, greater capacities, and better performance.

The below key features come from Corsair, and you can find them also on the product website.

Key Features

• DO IT ALL, AND DO IT FASTER
  In the many-core era, the unprecedented processing speed of DDR5 ensures your high-end CPU gets data quickly with ease. Whether you are gaming, creating content, opening 100 tabs, or multi-tasking, your gaming PC can power through complex tasks faster than ever before.
• ONBOARD VOLTAGE REGULATION
  You have the power and the control. Built-in voltage regulation with iCUE software control makes for easier, finely-tuned output that provides more stable overclocking than ever.
• CUSTOM INTEL^® XMP 3.0 PROFILES
  Ditch the tedious process of manually adjusting your performance settings each time when you save your own XMP profiles through iCUE.
  Easily customize and tailor your setting profiles by app or task for greater efficiency.
• WIDE COMPATIBILITY
  Not sure which memory to go with? Find the best memory for your needs with our memory finder tool, integrated directly into the memory page, with loads of options to dial in your system config and get you paired up with compatible memory kits.
• LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY
  For complete peace of mind and years of worry-free performance.

Corsair Vengeance Advert

Specifications

The tested Vengeance memory kit contains two 16GB modules rated at 7000MT/s and quite tight timings of CL34-42-42-96. The XMP profile is programmed to use a voltage of 1.45V, which is about the maximum if we wish to keep the modules cool during more demanding work. 32GB is perfect for most gaming computers. Even if you work professionally, then in most cases, it will be enough.

Recently Corsair released memory kits with 24GB modules, which we will hopefully test in the upcoming weeks. 16GB module kits are still more popular due to their high enough capacity for gamers and lower price. 7000MT/s is much above the standard DDR5 specifications for Intel chipsets, and we can’t count on full compatibility with every motherboard. For example, most ASRock Z790 motherboards won’t work at this speed. Picking high-frequency memory, we have to be sure that the motherboard has it on the compatibility list or that the manufacturer tested similar speeds.

Below is a list of timings on the XMP profile. Timings could be tighter, but they look pretty good, considering it’s an XMP profile designed to work on as many ious motherboards as possible.
The tested Vengeance memory kit uses Hynix A-die, the most demanded amongst overclockers nowadays. It promises the highest frequencies and the lowest timings. All that at relatively low voltages.

Packaging and Product Photos

Packaging

The Vengeance DDR5 memory kit arrived in retail packagWe will find two memory modules and a short manual in a small, flat boxanual. We don’t need anything else for the installation as it’s straightforward, and most uwill be fineblems. Twho need help with sure how to install memory modules on the motherboard should look at the quick installation guide or the user’s manual available on the manufacturer’s website.

Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-7000 CL34 XMP – Package 3

Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-7000 CL34 XMP – Package 2

Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-7000 CL34 XMP – Package 1

There is one thing that surprised me once I unpacked the RAM. As you can see in the photos, the package tells us that a 7000MT/s CL34 memory kit is inside. On the memory modules, however, we can see 7000MT/s CL32. It seems like a mistake on the label, as the memory kit has a product number and XMP profile for the CL34. I was still curious if it won’t make any problem, and I performed longer stability tests at 7000MT/s and CL32. The memory kit passes it without issues which is great news.

Memory modules have low-profile heatsinks, and they don’t have RGB LEDs. It’s good news for all who dislike all that glows on the PC. The RGB started as a nice feature, but there is too much of that in all devices, so not all users want it on their computers. Another piece of good news is that the PMIC has a thermal pad, so the expected overclocking and temperatures will be better than on many competitive memory kits. Our tests show about 5-6°C lower temperatures after overclocking than on G.Skill memory kits reviewed in the last few months.

Heatsinks and PCB are black so that they will fit nearly every PC color scheme. Heatsinks also have an original pattern made with small triangles. A simple thing, but looks so much better than on the previous Corsair Vengeance memory series.

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Test Results

Stability at Rated Speed

The XMP profile was tested in AIDA64 System Stability Test and passed without problems.

As I said bfore, because the label has CL32 on it, I also tested modules at 7000MT/s CL32-42-42 1.45V, and they passed all tests without issues.

Comparison Tests

Tests were performed on popular synthetic benchmarks and benchmarks included in popular games. The list consists of tests that react well to memory performance. Older popular benchmarks and tests based on pure CPU performance were skipped and would see not see any difference.

For readers’ convenience, I added the overclocking result for comparison, so you see if it’s worth the overclocking.

Benchmarks list includes:

• AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark
• PCMark 10 – default benchmark
• 3DMark: Time Spy, Time Spy Extreme, and Fire Strike Extreme
• Superposition Benchmark – 8K Optimized
• Final Fantasy XV Benchmark – 4K High Details
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider – 1080p, high details, default benchmark
• Far Cry 6 – 1440p, high details, default benchmark
• Assassin’s Creed Valhalla – 1440p, high details, default benchmark 

AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark

AIDA64 offers us the most popular synthetic memory benchmark. Results are easy to read; as we can see, it’s scaling great with memory frequency.

The 7000MT/s is fast enough to provide excellent results, even at XMP settings, without the need for further overclocking. If we want to, then we can pass 125GB/s which was only in our dreams a year ago. The Vengeance memory gives us both top performance and a chance to make it even better.

PCMark10

PCMark 10 uses popular applications to perform tests close to daily tasks. Even though results are slightly different, you wouldn’t notice any difference when translated into daily work. We can still see the best results in our comparison are on the Vengeance memory.

3DMark – Fire Strike Extreme

3DMark Fire Strike Extreme is reacting well to RAM performance on Intel chipsets. It’s not so visible on AMD. The Vengeance memory is scaling well with the frequency.

3DMark – Time Spy

The Time Spy results tell us the same story. Higher frequency memory kits give slightly better results, with the overclocked Vengeance memory kit on top of the list.

3DMark – Time Spy Extreme

In Time Spy Extreme, we can still see quite the performance gain at faster RAM settings, but it would count more for competitive overclockers.

Unigine Superposition

The Unigine Superposition benchmark also reacts better to RAM performance on the Intel platform. The improvement at a higher frequency isn’t significant but still counts.

Final Fantasy XV Benchmark

The Final Fantasy XV Benchmark is one more test in which we see better results at a higher memory frequency, and the score is nicely going up even above 8000MT/s. It suggests that the new Intel generation may take advantage of even higher memory kits.

Shadow Of The Tomb Raider

The Tomb Raider results are excellent. At a low display resolution of 1080p, we can achieve 20FPS gain if we are lucky to have a memory kit like Corsair Vengeance with Hynix A-die IC, or even more if we overclock it.

Far Cry 6

In Far Cry 6, it’s not as spectacular as in Tomb Raider. This game acts better on AMD processors, but our test setup still shows a couple of FPS more at a faster memory kit.

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla gave us a pleasant surprise with 5-10FPS gain at a high memory frequency of 7000MT/s or more, compared to a standard 6000MT/s memory. This game is typically barely reacting to memory frequency. As we can see, everything between 6000 and 6800MT/s was very close to each other.

One more time, we can see that fast memory frequency helps much more at lower display resolutions or in tests that use the processor more than the graphics card. It’s always best to buy memory kits optimized for your platform or just well-balanced, considering price and performance. Corsair memory kits are recently at similar prices as competitive memory kits, and with DDR5 price drops, even a 7000MT/s memory kit is not too expensive.

There is always overclocking for users who expect more performance than at the manufacturer’s profiles. Let’s take a look at our results.

Overclocking

Temperatures and Voltages

The Corsair Vengeance memory runs at relatively low temperatures, even though the heatsinks are not large. With a typical PC case airflow (intake – exhaust), we can count on stable work without overheating, even after overvolt. The memory kit is rated at 1.45V, but we checked up to 1.55V, which seems to be a maximum reasonable voltage for current DDR5 memory.

For daily overclocking, including games, I’m not recommending anything above 1.5V as the performance gain at tighter timings or higher frequency won’t be apparent. At the same time, memory may generate random errors, or we may require direct cooling or multiple push-pull fans in the PC to force good airflow.

DDR5-8266 CL36-46-46-98 1.50V

On our test platform, we could reach the DDR5-8266 at tight timings. The required voltage was 1.50V, which is still acceptable if there is good airflow in the PC case. Going up to 1.55V let us run at the same frequency but CL34. However, the memory kit wasn’t stable.

Secondary and tertiary timings could still be slightly lower, but the fine-tuning would take much more time, so for the requirements of this review, it was skipped. If you own a similar memory kit, you can count on even 130GB/s result when all timings are optimal or if your motherboard handles a higher memory frequency. The used MSI Z790I Edge has its limit at 8266MT/s, which was confirmed with some other memory kits with Hynix A-die IC.

The overclocking result on the Vengeance 7000MT/s memory kit gives us hope for even better memory kits and higher XMP profiles in not far future.

If you are into overclocking, feel free to share your results on our forums.

Conclusion

The relatively simple design of the Corsair Vengeance memory can be misleading, as the tested 7000MT/s memory kit is terrific. Whether you run it at the XMP profile or overclock it, it performs well in all tests and games. The tested memory was fully stable on ASUS and MSI motherboards and we didn’t have a problem with a cold boot or performance at XMP or manual settings. Overclocking was also quite easy. To get the most out of this memory kit, you’ll need a higher-series Z790 motherboard. Many ASUS, Gigabyte, or MSI models will support 7600MT/s or more . In this generation, the suggested maximum memory frequency in the motherboard’s specification is usually correct.

The Corsair Vengeance 32GB 7000MT/s memory kit costs $272.99 in the Corsair online store, which is a pretty good deal for what it offers. It’s not the cheapest, but we can push it above DDR5-8000, which is a dream spot for many enthusiasts and gamers alike.

This is the third Corsair Vengeance DDR5 memory kit we are reviewing on Overclockers, and like the others, the 7000MT/s version receives our Approved Stamp without hesitation. The memory kit delivers all the best for gamers and enthusiasts. The lack of RGB illumination for many users is one more advantage, so Overclockers.com highly recommends the Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-7000 memory kit!

Click the stamp for an explanation of what this means.

Bartosz Waluk – Woomack

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