The best gaming RAM of 2023

System requirements are constantly changing, and what was once the recommended amount of RAM for slow but steady gaming is becoming minimal. And that’s not to mention more complex tasks like editing photos and videos or, well, Chrome tabs. Insufficient RAM can be the source of any performance bottlenecks you may encounter when your gaming PC or laptop has a hard time juggling applications with insufficient RAM.

While it’s not as exciting as choosing the best gaming graphics card or processor, make sure you have enough system memory to build the best gaming PC. And since the latest AMD and Intel processors support even higher memory frequencies, you should choose your RAM carefully if you’re building an entirely new platform because higher-frequency RAM could increase fps in some games.

We’ve compiled a list of our favorite RAM modules for AMD and Intel platforms based on budget and usage. And if you want RGB to invade another corner of your gaming world, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s the best gaming RAM you can buy in 2023:

Corsair Revenge LPX

best ram for gaming Corsair Vengeance LPX module.

While not the most powerful RAM modules in the world, these Corsair devices are among the most popular in PC builds, and it’s not hard to see why, as they combine fairly high clock speeds and a sleek black heat spreader. with a good price-performance ratio. Unlike other RAM modules with heat sinks, it has a low profile that ensures it is compatible with the best CPU coolers, regardless of their overflow level.

We’d go for the 16GB package, which consists of two 8GB devices with 3600MHz memory, which can easily be tuned to Intel’s best gaming motherboards with XMP technology. You’ll also be able to hit 3600 MHz on all of the latest AMD cards, but Intel makes it a bit easier to tune your RAM to run at rated speed. And if you need to upgrade to 32 GB in the future, you have two free DIMM slots.

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V-color rams

best cheap ram it’s an 8GB v-Color deal.

You may not have heard of v-Color compared to RAM-heavy gamers like Crucial, Corsair, and HyperX, but it’s still a great option if you’re looking to build the best cheap gaming PC. We generally don’t recommend just 8GB unless you’re just gaming, as productivity tasks will likely push you up that 8GB barrier. The 2666 MHz clock speed is lower than the other modules on this list, but we can’t complain at this price. .

Plus, if 8GB isn’t enough, you can always buy a second 8GB flash drive later and take advantage of the faster data transfer speeds of dual-channel memory.

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Corsair Revenge RGB Pro

best high end ram for gaming: Corsair’s Vengeance RGB Pro.

While the fastest DDR4 RAM comes from Corsair at 5000 MHz, that’s excessive considering the price tag of around $1000 / £1000. And DDR5 is just around the corner, but still out of reach. All you need is two 16GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro USB Flash Drives for the ultimate in high-performance memory, and your gaming PC will shine like a Christmas tree.

A clock speed of 3600 MHz is easily achievable on the latest AMD Ryzen processors and should be easily achieved on Intel chips thanks to XMP 2.0 support. 32 GB is more than you need right now, and your computer will be “future-proof” when it comes to RAM.

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G.Skill Trident Z RGB

best RGB RAM this is Trident Z RGB by G.Skill.

You get a high clock speed of 3600 MHz across two 8 GB devices here, but the addition of a fully customizable multi-zone RGB light bar at the top of each module really makes this kit stand out, adding some flair and color. to your system. .

It only costs slightly more than the equivalent non-RGB RAM on this list, so if you’re looking for a bit more style in your windowed PC case, it might be worth considering. Also, with XMP support, it’s easy to get an Intel motherboard to run RAM at the nominal 3600 MHz frequency.

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Ballistix MAX Crucial

Best RAM for AMD Ryzen CPUs This is Crucial’s Ballistix Max line.

AMD 5000 series processors can take full advantage of high clock speed memory. So we recommend this 3600 MHz kit from Crucial if you’re using the latest Zen 3 processor and motherboard, which gives you the fastest RAM you can get your hands on.

As a bonus, it also has integrated RGB strips that can be synced with lighting software from various motherboard manufacturers like Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte.

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Onboard 8 GB 2666 MHz SODIMM

best laptop ram These are Integral SODIMMs.

Many of the best gaming laptops these days make it easy to upgrade your RAM, giving you a quick and easy performance boost if it’s starting to show its age. If you have an older laptop that desperately needs more capacity, or are looking to add a second dongle to something new, then this 8GB SODIMM dongle from Integral is suitable for both 2666MHz scenarios.

Naturally, there’s no need to look for RGB lighting or styling when it comes to laptop RAM: you won’t see it. But make sure your laptop actually supports RAM upgrades before you take the plunge, as some have the memory soldered to the board.

Does the speed of RAM matter?

The higher the frequency (MHz) of the RAM, the faster the processor can access data stored in memory, which helps improve system performance. Either way, sometimes it’s more beneficial to prioritize more memory over speed, and XMP-specific timing stats can affect game performance more than frequency.

DDR3 VS DDR4: what is the difference?

Current mainstream generation DDR4 features significant voltage reduction over DDR3, resulting in greater system stability. So if you haven’t upgraded yet, we strongly recommend that you do so. If you’re building a new PC, you probably don’t need to worry about this, as DDR3 started to be phased out when DDR4 became more common in 2016.

What is DDR5 memory?

DDR5 memory is an entirely new standard currently supported by Intel’s Alder Lake line of processors. Next-generation memory offers higher frequencies, lower voltages, and further improves system stability and performance. It should be noted that if you plan to upgrade to DDR5, you will need to invest in a new motherboard, as the DDR4 options will not be able to use the new modules.

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