You must invest considerable time and energy before purchasing gaming PC parts. After the graphics card and processor, your choice of RAM impacts gaming performance the most. And with more options than ever before, this choice quickly becomes daunting. This guide will help you choose the best RAM for gaming PCs.
1. Best Overall RAM for Gaming: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series
Price: $103
DDR5 RAM prices have fallen now that the initial hype has subsided, and newer models have entered the market. However, the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 6000 C36 remains the best DDR5 RAM for gaming, thanks to its perfect balance between price and performance.
This 32GB kit offers 6000 MT/s of speed, which is the agreed-upon sweet spot between price and performance. This kit also provides a CAS latency of 36 strikes, which isn’t the lowest possible, but it’s good enough for most users not to notice a difference during in-game performance.
Despite its affordable price, the kit feels premium, thanks to its slick exterior and impressive RGB implementation. Also, those who pair this gaming RAM with an AMD motherboard can maximize performance with AMD EXPO integration.
Pros
- High-speed 6000 MT/s kit
- Incredible performance for the price
- Pleasing RGB-infused design
- AMD EXPO certified
Cons
- Not the best latency numbers
- Pricier than some kits with the same specs
2. Best Value RAM: Team T-Force Delta RGB
Price: $70
Despite the excitement of the new DDR5 standard and its impressive numbers, DDR4 RAM is still not going anywhere. The T-Force Delta RGB DDR4 3600 C18 is one of the most complete DDR4 packages available. It combines all the benefits of high frequency and low latency with a breathtaking design.
For Ryzen processors on the AM4 platform, T-Force Delta’s 3600 MT/s is the furthest you can push the frequency slider without encountering any stability issues. Plus, the C18 latency is comparable enough to C16 that you won’t lose anything in terms of gaming frames per second (FPS).
Of course, this RAM kit lives up to its name by providing a gorgeous light show inside your case that’s arguably better looking than that of many costlier RGB kits. It also comes in black if you’re not after a white aesthetic.
Pros
- Excellent performance for the price
- One of the best-looking RGB kits
- Intel XMP 2.0 certified
Cons
3. Best High-Frequency RAM for Gaming: XPG LANCER DDR5
Price: $150
For our best high-frequency RAM, we’ve picked the XPG LANCER DDR5 7200 C34 kit. Although faster kits are available from other manufacturers, the current stability limitations of DDR5 RAM translate to diminishing returns for anything with speeds beyond 7200 MT/s.
The Lancer series works well for gamers and professionals alike. Speeds range from 5200 MT/s to 7200 MT/s, with a lower-than-average C34 latency. XPG also uses the SK Hynix A-die ICs to enable easy overclocking for gamers who want to push the DIMMs further.
Despite offering quite high-end specs, the Lancer DDR5 7200 is priced competitively against other popular players. The RGB lighting is one of the best implementations available, and the black or white variants will look fantastic in any build.
Pros
- Blazing fast 7200 MT/s
- Competitively priced
- Great RGB design
- Available in black and white DIMMS
Cons
- Only worth it on Intel 13th Gen
- Could be overkill for most users
4. Best 64GB Kit: TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 6000
Price: $175
If you need more than 32GB of RAM for your professional workloads but still want the best RAM for gaming you can find, the T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 6000 C38 packs a solid punch. Memory kits tend to become slightly unaffordable, moving into the 64GB and higher capacities. However, the T-Force Delta RGB keeps things relatively sane while providing immense value.
The 64GB capacity should be more than enough to power your non-gaming workloads and still provide adequate memory to multitask with a quick gaming session. Moreover, the 6000 MT/s frequency won’t hold back FPS, and the other specs more than make up for the mediocre latency.
The T-Force Delta RGB doesn’t cut any corners in design, either. You don’t need to sacrifice RGB for a large capacity or high speed. You have the option of both black and white DIMMs based on your build theme. Additionally, the dual-DIMM configuration prevents the stability issues seen with 4 DIMMs without using up all of your slots.
Pros
- Competitive value among 64GB offerings
- No sacrifice in terms of frequency
- Scores high on design as well
- Dual DIMM design leaves vacant slots for upgrades
Cons
- Not a low-profile design
- C40 latency not the best
- Cheaper 64GB options exist
5. Best RGB RAM for Gaming: Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5
Price: $110
There’s no lack of good-looking RGB gaming RAM kits on this list, but the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 6000 C36 set takes the cake. Corsair produces some of the best-performing and best-looking DIMMs on the market, and this kit combines drop-dead gorgeous looks with equally impressive specs.
Whether you choose the white or black variant, you’re getting 6000 MT/s speeds, C36 latency, and an enviable design. Corsair uses the highly sought-after Samsung B-die ICs that are great for XMP performance and overclocking. This kit is XMP 3.0 certified, and you can also save your XMP profiles using Corsair’s iCUE software.
Despite looking and performing great, this kit doesn’t come with the price premium you’d expect. It’s priced incredibly close to some other great options on this list, with the added reliability that comes with the Corsair name.
Pros
- Unique yet subtle RGB and premium heat spreader design
- Great specs for gaming
- Samsung B-die provides ample overclocking potential
- XMP 3.0 certified
- Solid price to performance
Cons
- Slower than some similarly-specced offerings
6. Best RAM for Overclocking: V-Color Manta XPrism RGB DDR5
Price: $170
Overclocking most memory kits may seem pointless, considering the speeds they offer at stock settings and with XMP or EXPO profiles. However, if you’re an enthusiast, you’ll know the value of overclocking your RAM. The V-Color Manta XPrism RGB DDR5 7200 C36 will likely ensure the most chances of success for your boundary-pushing endeavors.
At 7200 MT/s, the Manta XPrism is already running overtime. But, with the right motherboard and CPU, you can realistically push this kit to as high as 8000 MT/s. The CL36 latency of this kit can also be tightened to CL34 with the best overclock settings.
V-Color also delivers on the kit’s design, with an RGB-infused configuration and a robust 10-layer PCB, designed to sustain all kinds of overclocking. The Hynix A-dies also play a role in the kit’s superior overclocking capabilities. And if black’s not your style, the dual 16GB kit is available in white and metallic mirrored designs, too.
Pros
- Extreme overclocking potential
- Supports XMP as well as EXPO profiles
- Hynix A-die ICs
- Exceptional performance and looks
Cons
- Pricier than other 7200 MT/s kits
7. Best RAM for Intel CPUs: Kingston Fury Renegade RGB DDR5
Price: $166
Running high-speed DIMMs is far easier on Intel’s 13th-generation CPUs than the previous 12th-generation or even Ryzen 7000 processors. While you can achieve stability with sticks rated 7000 MT/s and above with a lucky 13th Gen chip and a decent Z790 motherboard, it takes far too much tinkering to be worth it. The Kingston Fury Renegade RGB DDR5 6400 C32 provides a much more stable, plug-and-play experience.
Until we get to a stage where DDR5 technology is mature and works better with newer chipsets and processors, a slower kit may provide peace of mind. The 6400 MT/s speed and phenomenal C32 latency offered by Kingston are nothing to scoff at. Thanks to the XMP 3.0 certification, this kit is designed to work with little to no tweaking from you.
Kingston created these DIMMs with a great RGB-laden, dual-tone design, available in black and white variants, that’ll look right at home in any build. The Hynix dies provide decent overclocking potential to an excellent kit if you wish to experiment. Overall, the Fury Renegade 6400 C32 combines exceptional performance with a decent design and much sought-after stability for Intel users.
Pros
- Intel XMP 3.0 ready
- Great performance with 6400 MT/s and CL32
- RGB and impressive design language
- Plug-and-play with most Intel setups
Cons
- Pricier than similarly-specced rivals
- Aggressive design may not be for everyone
8. Best for Ryzen CPUs: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5
Price: $118
AM5 is the latest and greatest platform for Ryzen users. If you’re currently building a new PC, you may be looking for a memory kit with excellent performance, looks, and stability. You can’t go wrong with G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 6000 C30. This specific Trident Z5 Neo kit might look tame compared to some of the other recommendations on this list, but the key here is the tight CL30 latency and its EXPO rating.
You needn’t mess with manual tuning with these DIMMs, as the EXPO profile makes the process far more straightforward. Moreover, the 6000 MT/s is currently the highest stable frequency for Ryzen 7000 chips. This speed is more than enough for your gaming and non-gaming workloads. Even the price of the kit is justified, thanks to its very tight timings.
As part of the Trident Z5 Neo series, the design language and RGB implementation are top-notch. You can also choose white or black DIMMs based on your build preference. The Hynix M-die ICs allow overclocking to 6200 MT/s, beyond which you need to push the voltage to achieve stable frequencies.
Pros
- AMD EXPO certified
- Brilliant performance
- Beautiful RGB design
- Competitively priced
Cons
- Overclocking headroom is limited
- Cheaper 6000 MT/s are available
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs 64GB RAM?
While most users will never need more than 32GB of RAM, content creators, graphic designers, researchers, architects, and other professionals with intensive workloads require 64GB or even 128GB of RAM. These workloads demand vast amounts of memory, especially if you want to multitask while a demanding task runs in the background.
Is more RAM better than a graphics card?
Generally, a beefier graphics card will almost always net you better performance gains than more RAM. If your system is RAM-constrained, adding more RAM will let your PC breathe. But, upgrading the GPU should always be prioritized if you’ve already maxed out your RAM capacity while running games on a weak graphics card. The bulk of the heavy lifting in gaming workloads is done by your graphics card, followed by the processor.
Why is DDR5 slower than DDR4?
DDR5 is still in its infancy, and just like DDR4 before it, it will take time to mature and improve. This is why you would have noticed much faster CAS latency timings on DDR4 vs. DDR5 memory. There’s also the fact that DDR5 doubles the bandwidth of DDR4, and sustaining these higher frequencies at lower timings is extremely difficult until the tech improves. But total latency depends on a lot more than CAS latency, and some faster DDR5 kits are faster overall compared to the fastest DDR4 kits.
Image credit: Unsplash
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