Much like the previous DDR5-4800 kit previously reviewed, the DDR5-5200 kit comes clad in typical Crucial clamshell packaging. That is to say, you can easily see the DIMMS even before you purchase it. Mix in a decent assortment of info-dump type data and most people will ‘get’ what this kit is, and what it has to offer.
Also like the DDR5-4800 kit… there are downsides to this series’ shipping container. To be precise there are three downsides. The first is obvious. This kit of RAM does not come clad in aluminum heat spreaders. Thus, there are no thermal pads or armor cladding to take any bumps and bruises that can occur during transit. Bumps and bruises thin plastic will do little to mitigate. Of course, RAM by its very nature is robust so that is not exactly a deal-breaker issue. Still a wee bit disappointing to see Crucial has done nothing in the interim to ‘fix’ this known complaint.
The same is true of the lack of ESD protection. Plastic is by its very nature is prone to static build up. When you combine a static shock with nekkid RAM sticks… well… that is a recipe for Mister Murphy to rain all over you parade. So make sure to ground yourself before you touch your freshly shucked kit of RAM.
Lastly, and also just like the DDR5-4800 kit, the clamshell is a ‘one and done’ container. If you look closely you can see that before first opening there are two plastic button/snaps at the top. In theory this means that you can easily reuse this clamshell packaging (say if you have to RMA it at some point). In reality… the moment you open this box those two snaps tear away as Crucial has purposely perforated the plastic around them. Thankfully the high friction nature of this clamshell design will make it reusable…ish. We just recommend a lot of packing tape if you do need to reuse it for RMA purposes.
Moving on.
While it is indeed true that this series of RAM is part of what Crucial once considered, and called, their ‘value’ line (as seen by the lack of heat spreader) that is not the same as saying this kit is part of a typical value series. Typical value orientated series are all about keeping costs low. Even going as far as using the basic ‘original green’ solder mask (aka the ‘plastic paint that protects the circuits’) and saving maybe a cent or two per DIMM.
This series on the other hand uses a jet-black solder mask making the PCB appear to be black. A nice, deep, rich… thick black. A black that just plain works in 95 out of 100 custom system builds. First time. Every time. To be blunt, the only major builds where a black, non-heatspreader clad series of RAM will not be optimal is in RGB clad builds.
We personally do not build Las Vegas strip looking systems so the lack of integrated LEDs is a non-issue to us. Just like the ‘missing’ heat spreader is pretty much a non-issue to us. DDR4 arguably did not need heat spreaders and at stock voltage DDR5 certainly does not if your internal air flow is even halfway decent. For example, the DDR5 ICs used in this kit are rated for 0 to a massive 95 degree Celsius. So yes, even the gentlest of gentle breezes can keep them within their generous operating temperature range.
Furthermore on-board temperature sensors are now part of the JEDEC standard. Yes, many a kit of Crucial DDR4 RAM came with temperature sensors onboard, but now you can rest assured that no matter what DDR5 kit you buy it will have the ability to thermally limit itself in the event of system builder idiocy (and/or cooling fan failure). Thus, making heat spreaders not needed for DDR5 DIMMS running at stock 1.1v.
