In an era when CPUs and GPUs are the center of attention, G.Skill's passion for high-speed memory is commendable. There was a time when premium RAM kits were at least a bandmate to the CPU and GPU rock stars of the day, and that hasn't changed; RAM's celebrity status may have waned a bit, but G.Skill is still putting the spotlight on PC memory and this time it has announced a new high-frequency kit for Intel's Z490 platform, up to DDR4-5000.

The announcement coincides with the retail launch of Intel's 10th generation Comet Lake processors, and G.Skill decided to use this opportunity to "demonstrate that DDR4 memory can reach ever higher extreme speeds." Specifically, the company is in the process of finalizing 8GB and 16GB modules running at up to DDR4-5000 and 32GB modules running at DDR4-4400.

Ultimately, the choice is between extreme speed or extreme capacity. Keep in mind that these ratings are for individual modules, packaged in larger kits; in terms of DDR4-5000 breakthroughs, G.Skill has both 16GB (2x8GB) and 32GB (2x16GB) kits with 10 core/20 thread Core i9-10900K in both the 16GB (2x8GB) and 32GB (2x16GB) kits, a feat achieved in combination with the 10-core/20-thread Core The 64GB (2x32GB) kit also achieved DDR4-4400. [G.Skill said, "On the latest Intel Z490 chipset platform, this DDR4-5000 on motherboards from multiple vendors, including Asus ROG Maximus XII Apex, ASRock Z490 Aqua, and MSI MEG Z490 Godlike CL19 landmark achievement."

Incidentally, these are all very expensive motherboards; the ASRock Z490 Aqua alone is over $1,000.

Granted, this is all overkill. While it is true that RAM speed and capacity are important for gaming, like most things, there is a point of increasing yield. Generally speaking, you reach that point at 16GB, regardless of whether you are running an AMD or Intel setup. Also, looking at speed ratings, an AMD Ryzen setup will benefit more from raw speed and tighter timing than an Intel PC.

In most cases, the faster frequency kits are priced higher, and in some cases much higher; G.Skill has not announced pricing and availability of new kits, but Newegg has another DDR4-5000 kit. It is Corsair's Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-5000, priced at $939.99. For reference, Corsair's 16GB (2x8GB) version sells for $74.99 (without the included cooling fan).