When it comes to PC gaming,high-speed DDR5 memoryis all the rage of late, and understandably so. Both Intel andAMD’s latest platformsare power-hungry performers that have increased needs in terms of bandwidth to fully realize their potential performance thresholds. However, a recent, persistent fall in both storage and memory prices has pushed DDR5 Ram from a high-end, enthusiast-only product to a much more mainstream offering with a variety of products available for under $100-150. Previous kits fetched as much as $1000 in the past for the most premium options.
XPG DDR4 D50 RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18
v-Color Prism Pro DDR4 32GB (2 x 16GB) 4266 MHz (CL19)
While the system RAM has comparatively less effect on gaming performance compared to the CPU or the video card, in some cases, the difference becomes highly noticeable, especially when a particular RAM kit achieves much higher clock speeds while retaining the low latency. For users who still own a DDR4 platform and for those who are currently boasting the latest DDR5-only LGA 1700 and AM5 platforms, here is the list of the top performing gaming RAM users should buy in 2024.
When choosing a new RAM kit for a gaming PC, consider these factors:
RAM Type: Before choosing and analyzing the specifications of a particular RAM kit, it’s important to get the right one to avoid compatibility issues. DDR4 and DDR5 RAM sticks have different pin layouts, and they are compatible with different generations of motherboards. For AMD users,if they own an AM4 motherboard, they will have to use DDR4 RAM modules, but for AM5 motherboards, only DDR5 RAM kits will work.
Clock Speed: Clock speed in simple terms is how many instructions per cycle a RAM module can execute. Higher clock speeds tend to perform faster and both DDR4 and DDR5 memory kits can be found rated at speeds like 2400MHz, 3200MHz, 4800MHz, 6000MHz etc. DDR5 kits start from 4800MHz since they offer dual channel configuration natively. This is why a 4800MHz DDR5 RAM module won’t be twice as fast as a 2400MHz DDR4 RAM module as it may appear.
Latency: Memory latency is highly important in executing operations faster. A RAM kit with high clock speeds but with large latency won’t provide any benefits unless it can match the latency of a low-frequency RAM kit. The quicker the RAM module responds, the more instructions it can execute every second.
Aesthetics: RAM sticks these days, unlike in the 2000s bring aluminum heat spreaders, beautiful RGB lighting, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The appearance of RAM modules won’t affect the performance but they do look cooling in a transparent glass PC chassis.
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best RAM for Desktops in 2024
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series 32G x 2 Kit (CL32)
The G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series 6400MHz 32G x 2 Kit (CL32) offers excellent low latency 6400MHz (XMP) clocks that are in line with most AMD and Intel Enthusiast motherboard overclocking standards while improving on the looks of some of the best RGB lighting money can buy while keeping it subtle overall.
As one of the premier memory brands towards the tail-end of the DDR4 lifecycle, it is no surprise to see G.Skill present as one of the more market-dominant players when it comes to the DDR5 memory, spearheaded by its G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series offerings. While DDR5 is still a maturing memory platform, G. Skill’s offerings have made much headway from costing as much as $1000 a pop for the more pricey variants to most kits being in the sub $100-200 range.
As our recommendation for the best Performance-Centric RAM kit in the market, our pick for DDR5 memory is a 64GB RAM kit from the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series which might be overkill for most people, but a somewhat future-proof approach to the problems of DDR5 memory when it comes to stability in most quad-channel setups. It has low latency and excellent looks thanks to its subtle approach to RGB and works flawlessly withIntel motherboards supporting the latest Intel CPUs.
All in all, the Z5 lineup isn’t the cheapest, the highest clocked, or even the most well-lit-up RGB RAM kit out there, but it is a potent and reliable package when it comes to DDR5 and given early adoption pains by many users last year, we feel it strikes the right balance for users looking for a competitive performance-grade DDR5 experience that can be overclocked easily without breaking the bank. The 32GB kit is also a viable option for those of us who feel 64GB is overkill for gaming and the AMD-specific NEO options are also a good investment, albeit with slightly different clocks that comply with AMD’s EXPO specifications for the Ryzen 7000 series processor lineup.
CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 6400MHz 32GB
Corsair’s Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM kit features dual RAM modules, each having 16GB memory capacity. It has built-in XMP 3.0 profiles, offering a blend of a high-rated frequency, low latency, and a reasonable price tag in tow.For aesthetics, the RAM sticks look gorgeous as a result of the RGB LEDs on top of its dedicated aluminum heat spreaders.
There’s no doubt why the market is filled with Corsair Vengeance RAM kits. From cheap DDR4/DDR5 modules to premium offerings, the Vengeance series has every price tag covered. This particular RAM kit is neither too premium nor too basic and is fairly potent for most gaming builds. Perfect forgaming PCs costing between $1000to $2000, the Vengeance RGB kit provides dual 16GB memory sticks clocked at 6400MHz with tight tested timings of 38-48-48-104.
The kit supports Intel XMP 3.0 out of the box, making it highly stable on Intel motherboards without introducing a lot of hassles in tweaking the parameters in BIOS. Of course, the clock speed is not going to break some world records, but assuming that most users are going with this kit for a high-performance gaming experience, the 6400MHz clock speed has shown itself to be ideal for modern gaming demands. Moreover, with RGB LEDs on top of the heat spreaders, the modules add to the aesthetics of the build and can be customized pretty easily through the iCUE software.
CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 16G x 2 Kit (CL36)
The CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 5600MHz 16G x 2 Kit is a capable DDR5 RAM kit that delivers the performance that Intel’s latest 13th-generation processors demand at 5600MHz while not being too heavy on the wallet while being compatible with Intel’s latest market standard for XMP (3.0).
The CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 32GB kit (16G x 2) clocks in at 5600MHz, which makes it meet the requirements ofIntel’s 13th/14th-generation processorseasily. It boasts compatibility with Intel’s latest XMP 3.0 standards and wide compatibility across the board. A key feature that this set of RAMs offers is the ability to customize its XMP profiles using the excellent Corsair iCUE software, which allows budget gamers to overclock RAMs to higher clocks or tighter timings to eke out better performance from their systems.
The lack of RGB is noticeable since Corsair reserves that for its more premium Dominator and Vengeance RGB lineups, but not a deal-breaker. The Vengeance is supposed to be a no-frills approach to providing affordable DDR5 memory, and it delivers on that promise handily. The RGB Dominator Rams are, however, something that people tend to prefer thanks to their looks, but users can’t go wrong with either option depending on how much they are looking to spend on their memory upgrade. Corsair also sells RGB-enabled EXPO-optimized Rams in similar specs for AMD’s Ryzen 7000 lineup that cost a shade extra and provide RGB lighting for those looking to splurge a little more.
Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 32GB 7200MHz DDR5 CL38
The Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 32GB 7200MHz DDR5 CL38 is one of the highest-clocked DDR5 rams on the market that you’re able to buy. While it is XMP compliant instead of EXPO, it should still hold similar clocks and timings for AMD’s processor set, making it one of the best overall overclocked memory.
The Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 32GB 7200MHz DDR5 CL38 is one of the fastest-clocked RAM module kits users can buy in 2024. It also happens to be one of the fastest consumer-grade DDR5 memory users can buy. While there are RAM kits that reach 7800 or 8000 MHz, or even higher, the compatibility issue with CPUs and motherboards does get in between, making the additional increment in clock speed of no use. Also, various benchmarks have shown that gaming isn’t affected a lot past 6400MHz and users get low returns.
Most high-end Z790-based motherboardsdo have BIOS updates that allow support for the 7200 MHz XMP profile on the Fury modules and, while performance gains are minor compared to lower latency, lower-clocked DDR5 modules, such as our pick for best-all-around DDR5 memory above, it does offer considerably bragging rights as one of the fastest memory modules you can currently pick up, albeit at a considerable premium currently.
Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600MHz
This Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 RAM kit is the ultimate solution for gamers, offering beautiful aesthetics, high clock speeds, and great overclocking support on Intel platforms. Easily tweakable through the BIOS and from iCUE software, the Vengeance RGB Pro makes life easier for modern gaming builds boasting DDR4 motherboards.
There are still millions who own DDR4 motherboards, and it’s quite apparent whyAMD is still releasing newer Ryzen 5000 CPUsfor its AM4 motherboards. Not only AMD, but Intel to this day, has DDR4 motherboards on their latest 700 chipset motherboards for the Intel 12th/13th/14th gen CPUs. However, with DDR5 becoming the norm, RAM manufacturers are more focused on producing high-performance DDR5 RAM kits than DDR4. A lot of great DDR4 RAM modules are already out of the market but fortunately, the Corsair Vengeance is still in the game.
The Vengeance RGB PRO DDR4 RAM kit is what users should get if they want enough RAM capacity for modern workloads. Not only does it bring a beautiful design with RGB LEDs on top of the heat spreaders, but it doesn’t cause any clearance issues on motherboards. Overclockable up to 3600Mhz with CL timings 18-22-22-42, this RAM kit is going to achieve sweet spot performance without breaking the bank. Whether users are going for Intel or the AM4 motherboards, the Vengeance RGB Pro doesn’t struggle to reach 3600MHz, given users are ready to experiment with timings.
The XPG DDR4 D50 RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz RAM kits are an excellent choice for users looking to upgrade to quality DDR4 rams that are compatible and up to speed with the latest Intel platforms while offering continued support for the large Ryzen market for processors from the 5000 series and under without costing an arm and a leg for very good-looking memory.
AData’s XPG lineup is an increasingly larger player in the DRAM market as its gaming-themed memory designs, backed by a lifetime warranty andsubtle RGB effects, are gaining significant ground as it continues to trade at a discount regularly versus similar competitors. The XPG DDR4 D50 RGB RAM happen to be one of its most popular offerings currently, and it looks and feels premium despite the price point it trades at currently.
While the D50 RAMs are not the fastest in terms of latency, they do deliver solid performance, excellent looks, and widespread compatibility that covers both Intel’s and AMD’s DDR4 memory standards while backed by a comprehensive lifetime warranty that covers any issues that users might have. All in all, a quality product with good looks and excellent performance makes the D50 RGB Rams an easy recommendation.
The v-Color Prism Pro DDR4 32GB (2 x 16GB) 4266 MHz kit is one of the highest-end DDR4 memory module kits money can buy and if users are looking for performance and looks to match, this has users covered on both fronts with ease. With acceptable latency on offer (CL19) and excellent overclocking frequencies on offer at an acceptable price point, it does tend to provide a premium DDR4-enabled experience to users using DDR4 memorywith the latest or older Inteland AMD platforms.
There are faster RAMS on offer in the market with DDR4 pushing all the way to as much as 5333 MHz on some select modules, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Stability is a key issue for motherboards pushing DDR4 at such frequencies. Looser latency is another factor, making it a somewhat poor trade at a significantly higher cost that doesn’t hit the performance sweet spot in any meaningful way. This makes the v-Color offering one of the few options that do make sense as an upgrade goes.
FAQ
Q: Should I Get DDR4 or DDR5 Memory For My PC?
This depends on the user’s choice of motherboard. Some motherboards work with DDR4 memory while others are compatible with DDR5 RAM specifically. If future-proofing is a factor in the decision-making, it is important to go for a DDR5 motherboard and compatible memory to boot to ensure users can upgrade either the memory or the motherboard/platform with ease down the line should you choose to do so.
Q: How Much RAM Is Enough For Modern Games?
Most games can easily be handled by 16GB of RAM but it does tend to cut close as modern games get increasingly taxing. Given how cheap memory modules are currently, the ideal memory upgrade users should aim for should be 32GB; 64GB is overkill for gaming and 16GB might be a little too low for certain titles.
