I have personally used and tested several Intel Core i5 processors, and based on my experience, the amount of RAM that an i5 processor can handle depends on the specific generation and model. However, in general, the maximum amount of RAM supported by most i5 processors is 64 GB.
For example, the 10th generation Intel Core i5 processors, such as the i5-10600K, support DDR4 memory with speeds up to 2933 MHz. These processors typically have four memory channels, allowing for a maximum of 128 GB of RAM (32 GB per channel). However, it’s important to note that the maximum amount of RAM supported also depends on the motherboard and its memory slot configuration. Some motherboards may only support a maximum of 64 GB of RAM, even if the processor itself can handle more.
On the other hand, older generations of i5 processors, such as the 5th generation, may have different memory requirements. For example, the i5-5200U processor from the 5th generation supports DDR3L memory with speeds up to 1600 MHz. This particular processor has two memory channels, allowing for a maximum of 16 GB of RAM (8 GB per channel).
It’s worth mentioning that the type and speed of the RAM also play a role in the overall performance of the system. Faster RAM can provide a slight performance boost, especially in tasks that are memory-intensive. However, the difference in real-world performance may not be significant for most users, unless they are running highly demanding applications or workloads.
The amount of RAM that an i5 processor can handle depends on the specific generation and model. In most cases, the maximum supported RAM is 64 GB, but it’s important to check the specifications of the individual processor and motherboard to ensure compatibility and maximum supported capacity.