PNY’s XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5 RAM boasts exceptional price-to-performance ratios, making it the optimal choice for mid-range budget enthusiasts. For those desiring heightened visual aesthetics, RGB kits should be sought instead.
NewForTech Opinion:
Pros:
- Outstanding performance
- Competitive Pricing
- Respectable efficiency
- Compatibility with both XMP and EXPO
Cons:
- Not the absolute fastest memory available
- Displays a somewhat understated appearance
- Absence of non-binary modules
PNY XLR8 GAMING MAKO DDR5: Quick Review
The PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5 RAM kit, while not the flashiest, gets the job done. It’s perfect for those seeking affordable upgrades.
To clarify, if you want top-notch speed, this isn’t the best RAM. There are kits with faster OC speeds, but they come with power and stability issues, especially if you tinker with module timing.
However, if you desire a straightforward plug-and-play kit with a decent OC performance at the BIOS click, the XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5-6000 kit is a must-have.
Impressively, the PNY kit competes well against the venerable Corsair Dominator Platinum and the top G.Skill DDR5 RAM kit, the Trident Z5 Neo, both running at the same speed.
Although the Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR5-6600 offers superior raw performance, it comes with a hefty 54% price premium ($184.99 for a 32GB kit) compared to the XLR8 Gaming Mako 32GB kit, priced at just $119.99.
Overclocked Performance Comparison (Two Modules, Quad Channel)
| Specifications | PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako 32GB Kit | Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 32GB Kit | G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32GB Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 6,000MHz | 6,600MHz | 6,000MHz |
| Max VDDQ | 1.320V | 1.410V | 1.380V |
| Total Power (per UDIMM) | 4.125W | 4.875W | 4.750W |
| PassMark Memory Test (2 Module) | 3,935 | 4,151 | 4,018 |
| PassMark Latency (2 Module) | 39.0 | 36.0 | 38.0 |
| AIDA64 Read (2 Module) | 93,993 | 103,277 | 94,473 |
| AIDA64 Write (2 Module) | 82,246 | 88,963 | 81,846 |
| AIDA64 Copy (2 Module) | 84,902 | 92,175 | 85,739 |
| AIDA64 Latency (2 Module) | 71.9 | 65.8 | 69.8 |
| Average Speed | 63,235 | 68,559 | 63,036 |
| Average Score | 3,724 | 3,913 | 3,803 |
| Average Latency | 52.8 | 48.3 | 50.7 |
When considering the price, you’ll receive approximately 93% of the Corsair kit’s performance with only a 9.4% higher latency when operating with Intel XMP at maximum-rated speeds.
These distinctions are significant, but it’s essential to contemplate whether slightly superior performance justifies the added cost, as that additional expense isn’t insignificant. The PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5-6000 32GB kit boasts an average performance-per-dollar score of 253.28, compared to the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600’s 148.06 – an impressive 47.5% advantage for the PNY kit.
When both kits are set to baseline 4,800MHz speeds, the performance gap narrows, with the PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako kit slightly outpacing the Corsair kit. Additionally, the timings on both kits are nearly identical (38-40-40-78 for the Corsair kit and 40-40-40-77 for the PNY modules).
Baseline, Non-OC Performance (4,800MHz)
| Specifications | PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako 32GB Kit | Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 32GB Kit | G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32GB Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max VDDQ | 1.125V | 1.110V | 1.125V |
| Total Power (per UDIMM) | 2.500 | 2.500 | 2.500 |
| PassMark Memory Test (2 Module) | 3,427 | 3,440 | 3,413 |
| PassMark Latency (2 Module) | 47.0 | 47.0 | 47.0 |
| AIDA64 Read (2 Module) | 75,795 | 75,686 | 75,258 |
| AIDA64 Write (2 Module) | 68,201 | 67,907 | 68,340 |
| AIDA64 Copy (2 Module) | 68,627 | 68,439 | 68,584 |
| AIDA64 Latency (2 Module) | 85.4 | 85.8 | 87.9 |
| Average Data Speed | 51,522 | 51,526 | 51,256 |
| Average Score | 3,258 | 3,256 | 3,225 |
| Average Latency | 62.6 | 63.2 | 63.6 |
On the flip side, we have the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo, a highly popular RAM kit, priced the same as the PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5 for a 32GB, two-stick, 6,000MHz kit.
When comparing these two, they essentially tie in every aspect, with the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo technically having a slight edge in points. However, neither can match the fully overclocked Dominator kit, which is expected given the Dominator kit’s 600MHz advantage.
Considering that both 6,000MHz kits perform identically and share the same cost, if you can’t obtain a G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo kit, the PNY kit serves as an excellent alternative (and vice versa).
Final Performance Averages
| Specifications | PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako 32GB Kit | Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-6600 32GB Kit | G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32GB Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Average Data Speed | 78,848 | 82,601 | 78,926 |
| Final Average Score | 3,681 | 3,796 | 3,716 |
| Final Average Latency | 58.15 | 56.09 | 57.89 |
| Performance Per MSRP Dollar | 343.90 | 233.52 | 344.37 |
In summary, the PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5 offers exceptional RAM performance at a competitive price. Unless you’re aiming for PC performance records or require blazing-fast RAM for specific memory-intensive tasks, this RAM kit fulfills all your needs.
PNY XLR8 GAMING MAKO DDR5: Price & Availability
- Price: $119.99 (about £95/AU$175)
- Availability: Available now in the US, UK, and Australia (availability forthcoming)
The PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5-6000 is now available at an MSRP of $119.99 for a 32GB kit (2 x 16GB).
In the US, you can purchase a 32GB kit through PNY’s website and other retailers. Currently, it appears to be available exclusively in a two-stick kit configuration.
This pricing aligns with the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo kit of the same speed, module configuration, and capacity. As mentioned earlier, the XLR8 Gaming Mako DDR5-6000 is significantly more affordable than Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 kits at similar speeds. The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (2 x 16GB) kit, with a 6,000MHz CL36, is priced at $159.99, about 33% more expensive than the PNY kit with the same speed and CAS Latency.
This RAM offers the best value among RAM modules tested above 6,000MHz, striking a balance between performance and affordability, considering the diminishing returns of higher-priced options and the limited cost savings of slower RAM kits.
Read Also: Review: 2023 Asus Vivobook Pro 16X OLED
PNY XLR8 GAMING MAKO DDR5: Specs
- SKU: MD32GK2D5600036MXR
- Max Speed: 6,000MHz
- CAS Latency: 36
- Available Kits: Single, Dual
- Available Capacities: 16GB (single), 32GB (2 x 16GB)
- Overclocking Profiles: Intel XMP
Should You Buy PNY XLR8 GAMING MAKO DDR5?
Value: This RAM offers excellent value, only slightly surpassed by a few cheaper kits. (Rating: 4.5/5)
Design: The XLR8 Gaming Mako, while not flashy, maintains an appealing aesthetic. (Rating: 3.5/5)
Performance: While faster RAM kits exist, this one delivers very reliable performance. (Rating: 4.5/5)
Average Rating: Overall, this kit is ideal for memory upgrades, offering a great balance between affordability and performance. (Average Rating: 4.17/5)
Buy It If…
- You prioritize price and performance, seeking a balanced option.
- You prefer RAM without excessive flair, as this kit lacks RGB lighting.
Don’t Buy It If…
- You demand the absolute fastest RAM available.
- You prioritize the lowest possible RAM cost, even if it sacrifices performance.