One of the best DDR4 RAM for gaming is not nearly worth, capability, velocity, or seems. It is one of the best mixture of all these issues. One of the best RAM for gaming is the package that unlocks your CPU’s stellar efficiency, and meaning squeezing one of the best body charges out of your gaming PC.
For the overwhelming majority of avid gamers, one of the best RAM package can be a 16GB or 32GB set at 3,200MHz for Intel processors, or 3,600MHz for AMD’s newest CPUs. These will guarantee your CPU has sufficient bandwidth to do every little thing you need, with out being overkill—pairing over 5,000MHz of RAM with an Intel CPU, as an illustration, is taken into account overkill.
At the moment there are extra reasonably priced low-latency RAM kits round, a few of that are perfect for AMD Ryzen gaming PCs, so do not be afraid to chase down a pair of swift RAM sticks for optimum system optimization. If you happen to’re considering what gaming RAM can do on your system, our RAM speed for gaming deep-dive offers you a good suggestion—it even covers barely extra technical reminiscence latency metrics.
No matter your particular wants could also be, beneath are a bunch of choices for bolstering your PC gaming expertise. We have examined every of those to ensure they’re match for gaming, too.
Finest DDR4 RAM for gaming
With a CAS latency of 14, the Staff Xtreem package leads the best way in low-latency RAM favored by gaming PCs, particularly AMD Ryzen rigs. As such, it takes the highest spot as our decide for one of the best RAM for gaming.
Not all that way back, a package as well-rounded on each worth and efficiency would’ve been a distant dream. Nonetheless, a current DRAM worth crash and an growing course of maturity in DDR4 manufacturing imply kits corresponding to this may usually be discovered for a lot lower than they might’ve been solely a few years in the past.
That is nice information for anybody eyeing up AMD’s Ryzen CPUs, which favor a reminiscence clock across the 3,600MHz mark—thus making certain the Infinity Material clock is saved at a 1:1 ratio along with your reminiscence and your chip ticking over fortunately with minimal latency penalties. A package such because the Staff Xtreem is perfect for AMD Ryzen CPUs.
Even the RGB lighting on this package is saved carefully. Every DIMM options subtle RGB lighting that creates a glow-in-the-dark impact. And whereas that does not sound nice on paper, it is surprisingly sensible within the flesh.
If you wish to eke out all of your CPU has to supply and guarantee your system seems contemporary within the course of, the Staff Xtreem ARGB package is a good choice—only a disgrace in regards to the title.
Learn our Team Xtreem ARGB DDR4-3600 C14 gaming memory review.
Corsair has outdone itself with the Dominator Platinum RGB. The unique DDR4 package has been our favourite high-end reminiscence bundle for fairly a while now. Its modern exterior, patented DHX cooling know-how, and unequalled efficiency has made it a formidable flagship over time, usually topping our greatest RAM for gaming listing. Now, the enduring Dominator Platinum is again with a stealthy new design and Corsair’s new Capellix LED know-how.
The Dominator Platinum RGB takes the identical best-in-class efficiency as the unique, provides higher-clocked SKUs, and 12 individually addressable Capellix RGB LEDs. The brand new LEDs are brighter and extra environment friendly than earlier iterations and are solely obtainable from Corsair. Mixed with Corsair’s iCUE software program, the Dominator Platinum RGB has turn out to be one of the best RGB choice on the market and in addition one of the best high-end efficiency package.
The worth does not differ an excessive amount of from the unique non-RGB Dominator Platinum, however you’re nonetheless paying a hefty premium over among the different kits talked about on this information. We nonetheless assume it is effectively price each penny in the event you can afford it, whichever capability package you go for.
Learn our full Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB review.
G.Ability’s Trident Z RGB RAM has been a mainstay of reminiscence information for years now, and it’s no shock the corporate’s Trident Z Neo collection has additionally earned a spot right here. Like the unique Trident Z RGB collection, the Trident Z Neo comes outfitted with good RGB lighting carried out in a really tasteful method. Extra importantly, the Neo collection is optimized for AMD Ryzen builds, making this budget-friendly choice the right alternative for budget-conscious Ryzen PCs.
Just like the general efficiency of your Ryzen PC construct, the Trident Z Neo presents a improbable bang on your buck. You may get a 32GB package for below $200, which implies you may as well simply improve your machine to an (admittedly pointless) 64GB of high-speed DDR4 reminiscence down the street.
Like its counterpart, the Trident Z Neo is available in varied speeds and configurations starting from 2,600MHz all the best way as much as 4,000MHz. Every module comes outfitted with 5 individually addressable RGB LEDs that may mild up any PC construct superbly.
Okay, so RGB LEDs in your reminiscence sticks do not make your rig go quicker, however they’ll actually tie the room collectively. Or at the very least your PC’s general aesthetic. And the Colourful CVN Guardian DDR4, at simply $95 for a dual-channel 16GB kit, might be probably the most reasonably priced route into nailing that all-important RGB search for your gaming system.
At their coronary heart, the CVN Guardian reminiscence modules, which are available in 8GB trim, have respectable, if slightly primary, CL16 timings and are utilizing the Micron E-die DDR4 reminiscence chips. That makes them match for a Ryzen construct because it’s slightly simpler on the reminiscence controller than one thing just like the Samsung B-die. Which means you may get greater frequencies, although chances are you’ll not be capable to tighten up the precise timings as a lot.
However for an reasonably priced DDR4-3200 package, the CVN Guardian performs effectively, immediately taking to the XMP settings of our take a look at board. There may be the potential for overclocking too with the package able to hitting at the very least DDR4-3600 with some barely looser timings, even nonetheless at CL16.
If you happen to’re simply after some strong, reasonably priced, handsome reminiscence the CVN Guardian is a good choice. It is utilizing acknowledged Micron chips, each the aluminum heatspreader and RGB lighting seems nice, and there may be some headroom right here too. The one downer is that we will solely discover one outlet promoting it: Aliexpress.
Recognized for very good binned reminiscence and high-speed kits, G.Ability’s Trident Z Royal blends 4,000MHz (efficient) operation with a extremely stylized design. These DIMMs are simply asking to be put center-stage in a showpiece gaming PC construct—and it might be removed from a slouch both.
Finest suited to high-performance Intel builds, corresponding to these constructed across the Core i9 10900K, the Trident Z Royal makes for the right high-speed pairing. This package will hold your CPU fed with the info it wants at a speedy fee, and it comes out among the many prime in each benchmark we might throw at it.
There’s additionally room to overclock this package in the event you see match. We managed to push it to 4,400MHz with out growing voltage, though we had been compelled to decrease the latency a contact for the package to capitulate to our OC calls for.
Whereas chances are you’ll wish to select a slower 3,600MHz package for AMD Ryzen, the Trident Z is a good choice for many different high-end PC builds.
Learn our full G.Skill Trident Z Royal 16GB DDR4-4000MHz review.
The G.Ability Ripjaws V is the second technology of DDR4 reminiscence from G.Ability, and it is clear the corporate listened to the suggestions and criticisms from the purchasers. This collection is extra reasonably priced, quicker, and has a much less cheesy heatsink than its predecessor. We discovered the 16GB Ripjaws V package to be the most suitable choice for an honest capability package that options nice efficiency proper out of the field.
Instantly, the Ripjaws V did exceptionally effectively in our benchmarks with none overclocking, beating a number of kits within the 2,400MHz vary. Regardless of this, you’ll be able to nonetheless obtain an overclock to 2,800–3,000MHz with a easy bump in voltage. You may even attain 3,200MHz or greater, although you are more likely to hit some stability points. With an inexpensive worth, whether or not operating inventory or overclocked, G.Ability Ripjaws V is tough to beat.
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Finest DDR4 gaming RAM FAQ
How a lot RAM do I want?
We suggest a minimal of 16GB for many severe gaming PCs (it is what we use in our high-end PC build), nevertheless it isn’t too pricey to improve to 32GB today, due to a current pricing crash. That capability will present a hefty buffer in the event you’re inclined to multitasking, inventive or intensive apps, or, y’know, heavy Chrome tab utilization—try our helpful information in the event you’re questioning how much RAM you actually need.
How briskly ought to RAM be for a gaming PC?
Typically, we would suggest you follow two DDR4 modules for a dual-channel construct, every with a minimal of three,000MHz clock velocity. That ought to make sure you’re getting probably the most out of the best CPUs for gaming. With Intel, you’ll be able to primarily settle for regardless of the finest package you’ll be able to afford is, whereas AMD Ryzen patrons will wish to look slightly deeper.
Basically you wish to intention for 3,600MHz reminiscence for Zen 2 (Ryzen 3000) chips. For Ryzen 5000 CPUs, it has been urged that 4,000MHz kits are your best bet.
Do I want RGB LEDs on my reminiscence DIMMs?
No. Completely not. However RGB could make your machine look that little bit cooler, and everyone knows PCs have to run cool.
Jargon buster – RAM terminology
DIMMs – Twin In-Line Reminiscence Module, the bodily circuit board that holds the RAM chips that plugs into the slots in your motherboard.
ECC Reminiscence – Error-correcting Code Reminiscence, RAM able to routinely detecting and correcting errors on the fly, typically utilized in extremely delicate purposes, like scientific information assortment or banking. Usually solely used and supported on servers and workstations, most desktop boards can run it as non-ECC.
Frequency – The efficient velocity at which the reminiscence operates, measured in MHz.
CL/CAS Latency – Column Entry Strobe Latency, the delay between the reminiscence controller requesting information from the RAM and the obtainable information; the primary quantity listed in a package’s timings.
SO-DIMM – Extra compact DIMM slots usually deployed in laptops, though these can flip up on tiny machines as effectively.
Timings – The measure in a number of reminiscence clock cycles an operation requested by the reminiscence controller will take for the RAM to finish. Decrease is mostly higher.
XMP – eXtreme Reminiscence Profile, directions for the BIOS that inform it what frequency, timings, and voltage to entry RAM at, a shortcut for overclocking with out tinkering with every setting individually. Formally for Intel platforms, many AMD boards readily help studying XMP information (although it might go by one other title like A-XMP or DOHC).
