Best Gaming RAM 2020: Desktop DDR4 Memory for Gaming, Editing & Software Processing
Best performing Gaming RAM kits : computer memory that’s ideal for gaming, video editing and graphics-heavy applications.
Whether you’re going to build a new PC or upgrading an older system, the Best Gaming RAM kit depends on the platform and the software. Desktop sold out in recent years uses DDR4 and supports at least DDR4 – 2133 clock speeds.
If you’re running Intel based PC with an add-in graphics card, most programs won’t respond properly. They might fast or slow down the RAM access. For some games and programs like the file compression like winrar or 7 zip, will speed up with data rate to the highest possible speeds.
On the other side, AMD’s architecture is affected by memory speeds. The company’s “Infinity Fabric” (the internal bits that link various blocks of logic inside of Ryzen CPUs) is conntected to the speed of the memory bus. So, Increased memory speeds on Ryzen and Threadripper, based platforms gives greater performance while comparing with intel. Without Discrete Graphics Card AMD performs well in games. As higher the frame rates are as smoother performance at higher resolutions like 1080p can be achieved.
Memory speed makes a big difference on integrated graphics using either Intel or AMD processors for gaming. On boards processors with integrated GPU don’t have it’s own dedicated memory as the Discrete Graphics Card have. Increasing the clock rate of system memory also increases performance but the speed up differences varies from game to game. So, if you want faster RAM for those types of systems & if mainstream gaming is really important. So our suggestion is, don’t pay too much for getting the faster RAM in order to get the high frame rates. Instead of, it’s better to add-in a Discrete Graphics Card with a slower RAM will provide good performance than with a faster RAM without graphic card system.
In short, if you want faster RAM if you’re gaming without a dedicated graphics card, if you’re running an AMD Ryzen system, and in some edge cases with Intel chips.
Quick Tips For Gaming RAM Purchase
- For many people, 16GB is the current sweet spot.
- Programs get bigger and messier over time, 1080p and 4K video are now common, PC game files are always expanding, and websites get more complex by the day. While heavy multi taskers and power users may need 32GB to keep from tapping into much slower disk-based virtual memory, 16GB is far more affordable, and sufficient for gaming and mainstream productivity tasks.
- Think thrice About 32GB-per slot.
- While 32GB DIMMs have been around for a year, poor availability has given firmware developers an excuse to deprioritize its support. That makes it essential to check each motherboard model’s compatibility list (at the manufacturer’s website), and to be certain that compatible motherboards have the correct firmware installed.
- Heat spreaders look nice, but often aren’t necessary.
- Unless you’re running RAM at high overclocked data rates, RAM generally doesn’t generate enough heat to require serious cooling. At most speeds and settings, so long as there’s airflow in your case, bare RAM sticks should be fine. With that said, if your case has a window, you may want to pay a few dollars extra for a metal-clad kit for aesthetics alone.
- Memory speeds advertised as part of an XMP profile might not be achievable on AMD-based motherboards.
- XMP is a sort of automatic memory overclocking setting that was designed for Intel motherboards. Some motherboard makers offer BIOS settings to help you achieve these faster speeds on AMD motherboards. But these settings aren’t present on all boards, and they don’t always work when they are present.
- Want the fastest RAM speed on an Intel platform? Get a K-series CPU.
- Non-K-series Core i7 and Core i5 processors have the same DDR4-2666 limit as that imposed by Intel’s lesser H370 and B360 chipsets. Core i3 processors have a lower limit of DDR4 – 2400. While most boards lack XMP, those that have it will more easily configure XMP memory with enhanced timings.
Best Gaming RAM at a glance:
1. Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 (2x 8GB)
2. Patriot Viper RGB DDR4-3600 (2x 8GB)
3. Patriot Viper 4 DDR4-3400 (2x 8GB)
4. Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3200 (4x 8GB)
5. Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-3200 (2x 16GB)
6. HyperX Predator RGB DDR4-2933 (4x 8GB)
7. Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2666 (2x 8GB)
1. Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 RAM (2x 8GB)
Best High-Speed 16GB Kit
Model: PVS416G440C9K | Capacity: 16 GB (2x 8GB) | Data Rate: DDR4-4400 (XMP) | Timings: 19-19-19-39 (2T) | Voltage: 1.45V | RGB : No | Warranty: Lifetime
Superb timings. Outperforms competing DDR4-4600 kits. Reasonably priced. Pricier than the closest performing RGB kit. Top XMP profiles required specially selected motherboards only.
The advantage of this RAM can be taken only on motherboards, which can easily handle its top speed and games or workloads. Patriot’s Viper Steel DDR4-4400 16GB kit is an excellent high-performance option without RGB.
Equipping PC with this kit can boost the performance of certain programs, including some games. Since the market for requirement of pure gaming or focused builds designed for singular tasks is still competitive, the Viper Steel DDR4-4400 easily satisfies both worlds.
2. Patriot Viper RGB DDR4-3600 (2x 8GB)
Best High-Speed RGB 16GB Kit
Model: PVR416G360C6K | Capacity: 16 GB (2x 8GB) | Data Rate: DDR4-3600 (XMP) | Timings: 16-18-18-36 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Lifetime
This RAM have excellent overclocking capability. It comes with RGB software free for download. LED diffuser causes color merging & bleeding.
This DDR4 – 3600 kit is few bucks cheaper than competing products with similar latency. It provides a great value for this speed, But slower kits also have greater pricing advantages.
The fastest DDR4 – 3600 kit we’ve tested, Patriot’s Viper RGB DDR4-3600 kit provides great value & performance to buyers who want both overclocking capability and RGB LEDs.
3. Patriot Viper 4 DDR4-3400 (2x 8GB)
Best Overclocker Value 16GB Kit
Model: PV416G340C6K | Capacity: 16 GB (2x 8GB) | Data Rate: DDR4-3400 (XMP) | Timings: 16-18-18-36 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Lifetime
Top overclocking can be achieved. It’s still costly than budget kits
It may not have fancy software-controlled RGB lights, and there are faster kits on offer for higher prices, as well as budget-priced kits that cost less. But for many who don’t want or need their memory to glow like a rainbow, Patriot’s Viper 4 DDR4-3400 C16 16GB (PV416G340C6K) sits in a sweet spot of price and performance.
This Dual-DIMM has excellent DRAM Overclocking value, while also providing some stylish red heatsinks. So, that your memory looks good enough to show off in your windowed case rig.
4. Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3200 (4x 8GB)
Best 32GB RGB Kit
Model: CMW32GX4M4C3200C | Capacity: 32GB (4x 8GB) | Data Rate: DDR4-3200 (XMP) | Timings: 16-18-18-36 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Lifetime
Excellent performance at rated (XMP) settings and across multiple data rates. It Supports both Corsair and third-party RGB utilities.
Superb performance and moderate pricing earns the Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3200 our Editor’s Choice Award for RGB-equipped memory, though its pastel colors might be off-putting to a few builders.
Corsair’s kit easily beasts the HyperX Predator RGB, in overall performance at every speed, barring the DDR4-4000 setting that it didn’t reach. Corsair also provides a better-performing XMP value and a lower price than the market competition. Vengeance RGB Pro is the winner and it’s an excellent addition to your next RGB build.
5. Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-3200 (2x 16GB)
Best Two-DIMM 32GB Kit
Model: PVS432G320C6K | Capacity: 32GB (2×16) | Data Rate: DDR4-3400 (XMP) | Timings: 15-15-15-36 | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: LifetimeNo price informationCheck Amazon. Supremely inexpensive DDR4-3200 Competitive performanceNo RGBSome buyers want RGB
Even though the Patriot Viper Steel’s performance victories are less than 1% overall, its low price push it ahead of the least expensive competitor in our market, from basic performance to price comparison. As per the price to performance ratio it’s a winner.
6. HyperX Predator RGB DDR4-2933 (4x 8GB)
Best Overclocker Value 32GB Kit
Model: HX429C15PB3AK4/32 | Capacity: 32GB (4x 8GB) | Data Rate: DDR4-2933 (XMP) | Timings: 15-17-17-39 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Lifetime
The best-overclocking 32GB kit we’ve tested IR-synchronized RGB Compatible with leading motherboard-based RGB utilities RGB control requires compatible motherboard-based utility Comparatively high price for its DDR4-2933 rating. Ultimately it’s value depends on overclocking skill and compliant hardware including other parameters.
It provides incredible overclocking capability in our testing, we recommend HyperX Gaming’s HX429C15PB3AK4/32 kit. But we’d need to see a higher XMP rating to expend our recommendation to those who don’t overclock manually. And it’s possible to manual overclock it, as we have achieved on other motherboards or with a kit that isn’t as overclocking capable.
7. Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-2666 (2x 8GB)
Best 16GB Kit for H370 And B360
Model: CMK16GX4M2A2666C16 | Capacity: 16GB (2x 8GB) | Data Rate: DDR4-2666 | Timings: C16-18-18-36 | Voltage: 1.20V | Warranty: Lifetime
Big performance benefit from dual-rank DIMMsNo secondary XMP for DDR4-2400-limited motherboardsTop non-XMP setting is DDR4-2133
Corsair’s easy workaround for the performance problem that is Intel’s DDR4-2666 limit was to use older, low-density chips to populate its 8GB DIMMs with two rank, while comparing it with the single rank of its competitors. The best part is that they did this without a significant increase in price. We recommend it for anyone whose XMP-compatible platform has a maximum DDR4-2666 data rate, which includes most retail boxed H370 and B360 motherboards.
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