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If you know what RAM is, then you know that more memory is rarely a bad thing. Although there’s a sweet spot when it comes to how much RAM you actually need, more memory will allow you to run demanding applications with ease, as well as make the desktop experience feel faster overall. The best RAM can give you all the extra capacity and speed you need and will spruce up your rig in the process.
Not all RAM kits are built equally, though. Differences in timings and speed can lead to better performance and stability, so it’s a good idea to choose a reputable kit instead of what’s cheapest. We have options for every build and purpose, from one of the fastest DDR5 kits on the market to a kit that won’t cost more than $50.
G.Skill
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6,000 MHz 32GB
Best DDR5 memory overall
Pros
- Very fast memory
- Runs at a lower voltage than the top kids
- Attractive, customizable RGB lighting
- Available with AMD Expo, or Intel XMP factory overclock
- Great price
Cons
- Lacks cutting-edge performance of the top kits
Why you should buy it: It’s fast, attractive, and affordable.
Who’s it for: Anyone building or upgrading to a PC that uses DDR5 memory.
What we thought of the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB kit:
If you want the most straightforward, fast, attractive, well-priced kit of DDR5 memory, this one from G.Skill is it. The Trident Z5 is an excellent, well lauded range of memory, and at 6,000 MHz with 32GB capacity, this kit has all the power, performance, and capacity you need to handle anything you throw at it. High-end games, photo and video editing, college work, office work, streaming video — it’s ready for anything.
It’s got some fancy RGB lighting too, and at just over $100 for 32GB, it’s an absolute steal. Memory prices are slated to rise in the coming year, too, so it’s worthwhile investing in a kit like this while it’s so affordable.
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6,000 MHz 32GB
Best DDR5 memory overall
G.Skill
G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB 3,600MHz
Best budget DDR4 memory
Pros
- Great value
- Decent speeds and timings
- Easy to overclock
Cons
- No longer one of the fastest RAM options
Why you should buy it: It’s one of the cheapest DDR4 kits with strong performance and capacity.
Who’s it for: Anyone building or upgrading an older DDR4 PC.
What we thought of the G.Skill Ripjaws DDR4 kit
G.Skill’s Ripjaws range is its value-focused memory, but just because this kit doesn’t cost much, doesn’t mean it isn’t impressively fast. At 3,600 MHz, this kit is about as fast as it gets for mainstream DDR4 memory. Sure, there are kits that go over 4,000 MHz in some cases, but they rarely do much in terms of performance, and if you install anything over 3,600 MHz in an AMD system, it gets complicated since you have to play around with the Infinity Fabric clock… it’s not really worth it.
With this kit, you get a fast, decent-looking pair of sticks with 16GB capacity, which is plenty for most users outside of heavy gamers and video editors, and you get it at a great price too.
G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB 3,600MHz
Best budget DDR4 memory
Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem 32GB 8000MHz
Fastest DDR5 memory
Pros
- Extremely fast bandwidth and timings
- Classy, understated look
- Large heatspreader keeps modules cool
- Comes with lifetime warranty
Cons
- Requires overclocking to get top performance
- Overkill for most
Why you should buy it: It’s about the fastest DDR5 memory you can buy.
Who’s it for: Overclockers and system tweakers who like to play with settings to maximize performance.
What we thought of the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit:
If you want peak performance at a good price, the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit is it. At 8,000 MHz, you aren’t going to find many kits that claim to be any faster, and even if they do, those claims are dubious when it comes to the real world. That’s because ultimately, there isn’t much benefit to going beyond 7,200 MHz for most PCs, but if you absolutely want to maximise your system, this is the kit to do it with.
You’ll need a high-end motherboard and be willing to invest the time in adjusting voltages and frequencies, but if you do, you’ll get a seriously fast pair of memory sticks. They look fantastic, too, with their understated, sleek color scheme and lack of eye-catching RGB LEDs. This kit is also available in 48GB and 64GB capacities, if you need more.
Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem 32GB 8000MHz
Fastest DDR5 memory
Teamgroup
Teamgroup T-Forze Xtreem ARGB 3,600 MHz 32GB
Best DDR4 memory
Pros
- Fast speed and timings
- Attractive design with RGB lighting
- High capacity for modern gaming and productivity
Cons
- More expensive than other DDR4 modules
Why you should buy it: It’s a super fast, high-end DDR4 kit.
Who’s it for: Those on older systems who want plenty of fast memory.
What we thought of the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit:
If you’re running an older AM4 or LGA 1700 setup with DDR4 memory and want a bigger or faster (or both) kit, then the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem 32GB kit of 3,600 MHz memory is hard to beat. It’s a little more expensive than our budget pick, but it’s not much more for a doubling in capacity with improved performance.
Even if you’re not a fan of the RGB LEDs, you can turn them off and enjoy the smooth mirror-finish on these modules, which help make them serious eye-candy in even the most demure of PC builds.
Teamgroup T-Forze Xtreem ARGB 3,600 MHz 32GB
Best DDR4 memory
Corsair
Corsair Dominator Titanium 64GB
Best customizable RAM
Pros
- Fast DDR5 memory
- Great RGB lighting
- Customizable top panel
- Great for overclocking
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as fast as some of the competition
Why you should buy it: These modulars are extremely customizable, with heaps of options.
Who’s it for: Anyone who likes to tweak their system for looks and performance.
What we thought of the Corsair Dominator Titanium:
Corsair’s Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 memory kit is overkill for just everyday performance, but if you like to truly customize your system, then it’s a great pick. You can adjust the RGB LEDs, or install custom top-bar modules on to the heatsink, letting you upgrade the cooling, change the visuals, or add your own unique aesthetic spin on the design.
The raw performance out of the gate is excellent too. It’s not quite peak performance for DDR5, but that’s where overclocking comes in. Beyond supporting XMP profiles for automatic overclocking, this kit is fantastic for tweaking and unlocking additional performance without spending anything extra.
Corsair Dominator Titanium 64GB
Best customizable RAM
Frequently Asked Questions
What RAM is best for gaming?
When picking the best gaming RAM, it’s not the brand that matters (although there are some reputable options on our list) as much as it is the speed and the capacity. Gone are the days when you could pick up any kind of 8GB RAM and call it a day. A gaming PC built in 2022 should likely not go below 16GB RAM, with some more demanding gamers opting for 32GB instead.
As far as speeds go, 3,200MHz and above marks a good starting point. Some kits run at a slower frequency, but they can usually be overclocked to hit 3,000MHz and above. However, if you’re aiming to use DDR5 memory, the frequencies will be much higher and the price tag will match it in turn.
We have a dedicated guide to the best gaming RAM, so check that out if you’re unsure.
Is 32GB of RAM overkill?
The answer depends entirely on what you’re planning to do with your computer. If you mostly browse the web, indulge in some Netflix, and play the occasional game of Minecraft, you don’t need 32GB RAM at all. That doesn’t mean it’s not nice to have — it just means that you can save that money and put it toward a different component.
If you frequently multitask, play AAA games, or engage in creative workflows such as video editing, the general rule of thumb is 16GB at a minimum, but in 2024, 32GB is better. There are some games, for example, that are starting to bottleneck at 16GB of RAM — a great reason why you should upgrade your RAM. For video editing and other intensive tasks, you may even see a benefit with 64GB of more memory.
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