Chinese memory maker CXMT enters mainstream consumer memory with Corsair Vengeance DDR5 kit — Chinese-made DRAM emerges as an antidote for crushing shortages
Is the answer to the RAM crisis Chinese-made DRAM that's much cheaper to source since those companies aren't tied up in AI data center contracts? It's too early to say yet, but when a manufacturer as big as Corsair starts using DDR5 modules from ChangXing Memory Technologies (CXMT), that notion...
Chinese memory maker CXMT enters mainstream consumer memory with Corsair Vengeance DDR5 kit — Chinese-made DRAM emerges as an antidote for crushing shortages | Tom's Hardware
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In late 2024, China-based ChangXing Memory Technologies (CXMT) began producing DDR5 modules aimed at the consumer market. Since then, the company has even laid out a roadmap that currently puts its max DDR5 capabilities at 8,000 MT/s across 16 Gb and 24 Gb densities. Fast forward to today, and we're finally seeing Chinese DRAM in a mainstream product, more specifically, a Corsair Vengeance DDR5 16GB stick purchased in China by @wxnod, running at 6,000 MT/s with CL36 speeds.
(Image credit: @wxnod on X)We can see the "CMK5X16G3E60C36A2-CN" part number, where "CN" denotes it's a China-exclusive kit. It's still certified for both Intel XMP and AMD EXPO (since it runs beyond JEDEC speeds), and we also see the rest of the specs printed on the label, such as the timings and operating voltage. There are also "UKCA" and "CE" signs that indicate this kit meets European and British standards for sale in those regions.CXMT DDR5 DRAM Die Appears in Corsair Memory pic.twitter.com/GRLeAUHtENMay 22, 2026The post above shows CPU-Z screenshots clearly revealing that the DRAM powering this kit is from CXMT and not one of the big three memory makers: Micron, Samsung, or SK Hynix. All of those companies are busy selling out their entire production lines to data centers instead, so it makes sense that Corsair is shifting around its suppliers. CXMT might seem like an unusual choice, but the company is well-positioned for this transition.Latest Videos FromSee, unlike the major DRAM manufacturers, CXMT doesn't even possess the latest cutting-edge tools to produce memory for hyperscalers. The company isn't tied to any data center contracts, so it has, relatively speaking, empty production lines just waiting for customers. And that clientele CXMT seems to be targeting is regular consumers left in the dust by the rest of the RAM industry.Until now, CXMT has only really sold to local businesses and lesser-known brands, but being featured in a Corsair kit marks a major shift in the landscape. Even if this kit is exclusive to Chinese markets, it's still made by one of the biggest names in consumer memory — a name that people trust. Besides, most customers won't actually check what factory their DRAM chips are coming from as long as the specs seem up to par.CXMT DDR5 DRAM 6000 C36-40-40-96 V1.35 pic.twitter.com/rk22qsWYkJMay 22, 2026Speaking of which, we're looking at a DDR5-6000 CL36 kit, which is not the fastest, but it's plenty for gaming and daily tasks. There's generally less than 5% difference between a CL30 and CL36 kit at 6,000 MT/s, so if you're saving a lot of money going for the slower latency, it might be worth it in some cases, such as, you know, a RAM shortage. That brings us to the main question: Is this RAM actually cheaper?There was no explicit mention of a price, so for all we know, Corsair is sourcing cheaper memory from CXMT but still selling it at the same inflated rates. If supply from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron is tight, it makes sense that DRAM bought from those companies would be expensive, but CXMT-made DDR5 should be significantly more affordable for it to matter and make an actual dent in the market.Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware NewsletterGet Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsMoreover, there would be concerns about how stable these modules are and whether they're fit for overclocking. Since a brand like Corsair is backing them up, a customer would expect it to perform just as well as any other Corsair kit. Another post from the same OP shows a similar KingBank-branded DDR5-6000 kit overclocked to 8,000 MT/s with 44-56-56-128 timings at around 1.5V, so there's clearly some potential here.CXMT memory pic.twitter.com/dPHE2Evi3qMay 22, 2026
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Hassam NasirContributing WriterHassam Nasir is a die-hard hardware enthusiast with years of experience as a tech editor and writer, focusing on detailed CPU comparisons and general hardware news. When he’s not working, you’ll find him bending tubes for his ever-evolving custom water-loop gaming rig or benchmarking the latest CPUs and GPUs just for fun.
13 Comments
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Ban it! How dare they affect micron stock price. Don't you know Chinese RAM can download more CCP RAM to spy on you?
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I wouldn't buy it for a variety of reasons, but I think this is a good thing as well.
This is a lesson to the other RAM suppliers that if they lack the foresight to ensure they have adequate production to supply demand, remember not long ago they cut production, someone else will ultimately step in to fill the gap and they will ultimately lose market share. Now they will have more competition going forward and the profits they sought to maximize may be lost in the future even though they're currently cashing in on AI demand.
The data center and AI boom won't last forever.
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phead128 said:Don't you know Chinese RAM can download more CCP RAM to spy on you?funny becasue this might actually be a future (not just ccp but anyone) issue when we end up w/ non volatile ram as the norm.
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didnt corsair exit the ram business a few months ago ??
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hotaru251 said:funny becasue this might actually be a future (not just ccp but anyone) issue when we end up w/ non volatile ram as the norm.It's probably a reason why there may always be a volatile memory technology in the mix, even if there are major benefits to moving everything to universal memory.
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Ogotai said:didnt corsair exit the ram business a few months ago ??Not sure where you're getting that but no, they didn't
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Ogotai said:didnt corsair exit the ram business a few months ago ??Crucial.
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Ogotai said:didnt corsair exit the ram business a few months ago ??No but they’re not actually a DRAM manufacturer anyway. Micron stopped their crucial brand but that doesn’t really affect anything as the fab capacity was going to AI anyway
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Ogotai said:didnt corsair exit the ram business a few months ago ??That was Crucial. Micron exited the consumer business.
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Did I miss the part where it mentions this kit made from Chinese ram chips was 50% cheaper. Nope. No mention of price. Wonder why.
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📰Originally published at tomshardware.com
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