Crucial Pro DDR5-6400 CL32 Gaming Memory Review

Another RGB-free, factory OC option from Crucial

Almost exactly one year ago we looked at Crucial’s Pro overclocking memory, which provided a nice RGB-free option in the gaming RAM arena. The kit we looked at provided up to 6400 MT/s with timings of 38-40-40-84 from XMP3/EXPO Profile 1, or 6000 MT/s and timings of 36-38-38-80 with XMP3/EXPO Profile 2. At that time, the MSRP for a 32GB kit was $118.99 USD, but things have changed a lot since then.

The two kits we are looking at today are identical other than the color of their heat spreaders, with the latest iteration of Crucial’s Pro OC memory offering lower latency and a (subjectively) more attractive design than last year’s models. We have the new kits in white and black, rated for 6400 MT/s with timings of 32-40-40-103 from XMP3/EXPO Profile 1, or 6000MT/s and timings of 36-38-38-80 from XMP3/EXPO Profile 2.

The Crucial DDR5 Pro DIMMs

As with last year’s Crucial Pro DDR5-6400 memory, the current model is RGB-free, and has a clean heat spreader design with what could be described as a digital camo effect in the aluminum. We received both the black and white versions for our review, and these kits are identical other than the color.

A clean look in both black and white

As mentioned in the introduction, these offer timings of 32-40-40-103 from their primary XMP3 and EXPO profiles, and only require 1.35 volts to accomplish their rated speed and timings (the vast majority of DDR5-6400 CL32 kits require 1.40 volts). Thaiphoon Burner was not able to identify these modules, so I am not certain if they are the same Micron D-die chips as last year. Here is the system summary from HWiNFO64 (note: the GPU was switched to an RTX 4090 FE before benchmarking):

Performance Testing

After installing the memory in our usual X870E test platform with an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, we ran the same couple of tests from our look at last year’s Crucial Pro DDR5-6400. As before, the type of data presented with very simple tests like these hardly justifies fancy charts, so here is a screenshot from Excel, instead:

The new Crucial Pro DDR5-6400 CL32 memory is measurably faster than last year’s iteration, and while the differences are not great, it is interesting to see 6400 MT/s memory out-perform DDR5-6000 on our AMD system. That lower CAS latency of 32 (vs. last year’s CAS 38) is the difference maker here.

It is rather odd that the lower 6000 MT/s OC profiles have higher latency than the 6400 MT/s profiles. Generally speaking, if a DIMM can operate at a rated speed and latency at one voltage, it can certainly maintain those timings at a lower speed. We can only speculate as to why Crucial would be offering higher latency at a lower speed XMP / EXPO profile given the identical voltage.

Pricing and Conclusion

While performance was good and the DIMMs look nice, the pricing of these Crucial Pro DDR5-6400 CL32 kits overshadow this launch. A year ago we published a review of a different Crucial Pro memory kit, also 32GB and 6400 MT/s, though it had a higher latency of CL38. That kit carried a list price of $118.99 and was selling for $89.99 at retail. This new 32GB DDR5-6400 CL32 kit carries a list price of $300.99 for the black color, and $326.99 for the white color. These are 32GB kits, just to be clear.

Looking at the current market for 6400 MT/s, CL32 kits of this capacity we find that Crucial’s price is a little above the median, with options ranging from $209.99 to $399.00 at Newegg as of 11/18/25:

One important distinction to make is that Crucial is offering this speed and latency at just 1.35 volts, which is considerably more rare. There are only twelve options available on Newegg as of 11/18/25 that match these specs, with pricing significantly higher overall for DDR5-6400 CAS 32 @ 1.35V. At this voltage Crucial is actually one of the lower-cost 32GB 6400 MT/s kits.

Let’s face it, DDR5 prices are skyrocketing and it’s getting to the point where printing any price is just capturing a moment in time. It’s all thanks to everyone’s favorite subject, and unless the bubble bursts soon we won’t see anything but increases. To say that shopping for DDR5 is causing sticker shock is an understatement.

Update – 11/25/25 : The list price for the white DDR5-6400 CL32 kit from Crucial is now $347.99, with the black SKU moving up to $321.99. These prices are probably going to change again.