MSI has added CXMT DDR5 support to its China-only AM5 BIOS, pushing local memory speeds up to DDR5-8200.
China is moving quickly to use its own memory as it tries to reduce its dependence on offshore brands that charge steep prices for DRAM. CXMT, or ChangXin Memory Technologies, has become the local favourite as China’s leading DRAM maker.
Reports claiming CXMT has started supplying DRAM to global markets are not yet right. The company is still mainly supplying memory inside China, although talks are underway with the Fruity Cargo Cult Apple as it faces serious shortages for its own products.
Job’s Mob has not signed anything yet, so that deal remains stuck in the usual corporate fog. Some China-specific PCs using CXMT memory are starting to appear in global markets.
MSI has become one of the first motherboard makers to enable CXMT DDR5 memory support on its AM5 motherboards. Previously, domestic Chinese memory was limited to 6800 MT/s, which was unlikely to frighten the premium DIMM crowd.
The new BIOS uses updated AMD AGESA firmware and allows much higher speeds when running CXMT memory. MSI demonstrated the update on its MAG B850MPOWER, a budget-friendly overclocking motherboard aimed at memory tweakers.
Using CXMT memory, MSI managed to push past 8000 MT/s. That is a 20.5 per cent increase in transfer speeds compared with what was previously possible.
On dual-slot motherboards, MSI said CXMT 16Gb memory can now achieve a stable DDR5-8000 boot and pass MemTest with 100 per cent coverage. CXMT 24Gb memory can reach DDR5-8200, pass MemTest with more than 100 per cent coverage and survive a strict burn-in test.
Mainstream four-slot motherboards get a lift too. MSI said their frequency ceiling has been raised to DDR5-7200, which is not bad for platforms usually punished for filling every slot.
In the first demo, MSI used a Lexar 32GB kit fitted with CXMT 16Gb ICs running at 8000 MT/s. The memory ran at CL40-52-52-126-144 timings with 1.40V.
That kit passed RunMemtestPro with an average coverage of 101.63 per cent. The modules support both XMP 3.0 and EXPO 1.1, which keeps life simpler for builders.
The second test used a Kingbank Technology 48GB DDR5 kit rated at 6000 MT/s. MSI pushed it to 8200 MT/s with CL40-52-52-126-200 timings at 1.25V, and the test was stable.
MSI said users can now run four sticks on four-slot motherboards at up to 7200 MT/s. That matters because four-DIMM DDR5 setups often behave like a toddler after three cans of cola.
This is likely to be the first of many CXMT memory tests as China continues to push domestically produced technology. CXMT is expected to double memory production in the years ahead through its so-called Epic Expansion project.
For now, CXMT’s edge is not price so much as supply. In a market where everyone is fighting for DRAM, having local chips that turn up is handy.
