In order to build a gaming PC, you need the best RAM. Choosing the best gaming RAM is crucial – for you, your budget, and your computer – despite the increasing availability of quality RAM for gaming nowadays. With this guide to the best RAM for gaming, we hope to provide you with some quick insights into some top performers. You can always reap the benefits of your best RAM, from faster frame rates to snappier responses.
The RAM requirement has also been reduced: 4GB is simply too little, and you will rarely find a gaming PC coming with that much – 16GB is the absolute minimum these days. While the graphics in today’s games are still demanding, and the cost of RAM remains affordable, 32GB is a good starting point. In spite of the fact that 32GB will suffice for video editing, upgrading to 64GB may be necessary if you intend to do some really intensive work.
To improve performance, you should install RAM sticks in the right channels. If your motherboard has more than two memory channels, you should place RAM sticks in those channels. If you upgrade RAM in a pre-built machine, fit it with the same brand, speed, and timings as the existing one, or replace all the RAM if the new one’s faster. So mixing speeds doesn’t give you an advantage, because you will always run at the speed of the slowest stick.
For more information on RAM and how it works, check out our hardware glossary. If you’d like to become familiar with some of the terms in the hardware glossary so you can take a look at the RAM in our list below, click here. Alternatively, you can simply read our best gaming motherboards
Quick Shopping Tips:
Throughout this portion of the article, three factors are addressed, including whether the RAM is compatible with your motherboard.
By the end of this article, we have attempted to illustrate how important the speed and capacity of this memory are.
RAM Type: You probably know that there are different types of RAM, such as DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4. Double Data Rate denotes “double data rate”. The digit after it denotes the generation. The fourth generation of SDRAM, DDR4, provides the fastest data transfer rate, with the fastest data transfer rate being the fastest in DDR4. If you want your gaming rig to perform at its peak, be sure to buy the latest RAM DDR4 type.
Module Type: Memory sticks or modules are types of RAM. Modules or sticks of RAM are printed circuit boards that contain the memory slots. Incompatible disks do not operate properly if they are not compatible with the circuit they have to fit into. Therefore, monitor whether the RAM on your motherboard is compatible. Modern systems are capable of supporting DDR4 RAM.
Form Factor: The RAM also comes in different types of form factors, just like every other component of a computer. Typical forms of dual in-line memory modules are DIMMs (dual in-line memory modules) and SO-DIMMs (small outline dual in-line memory modules). Desktop motherboards use DIMM sticks, which have a more pronounced form factor. However, SO-DIMM modules are smaller and designed for laptops.
Capacity And Speed: A RAM’s capacity and speed are measured in GB (gigabytes) and MHz (megahertz) respectively, with capacity being measured in GB (gigabytes) and speed being measured in MHz (mega transfers per second). You can run more applications and play more games when you have such a large capacity, while at the same time storing an amazing amount of data. With high-speed and high-capacity RAM slots, you can increase your system’s performance.
Table of Contents
1. G.Skill Trident Z Neo 32GB DDR4 – Best Gaming RAM for you
The G.Skill Trident Z Neo is a great choice for AMD Ryzen gaming PCs. Even with RGB embellishments, the kit is a very competitively priced memory kit compared to other kits with similar specifications.
You can upgrade the 32GB of RAM up to 64GB if you really want to prepare for the future, since it runs at 2600MHz to 3800MHz, so you won’t be left wanting for more. However, most users should be able to get by with 32GB.
You may notice that rival RAM kits outperform the G.Skill if you’re editing heavy media files as well. What about gaming? You won’t regret this best budget RAM for gaming.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: G.Skill Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz Capacity: 32 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- Ready for Ryzen
- Faster than lightning
- This isn’t ideal for editing demanding media
2. Crucial Ballistix 3600 MHz DDR4 DRAM – Best Budget DDR RAM
This is the best RAM for gaming, budget-friendly option for those building their first PC. By 2012, games will no longer require the minimum specifications, and even though most modern games can run with just 4GB of RAM, it’s probably a better idea to start with 8GB rather than upgrading too quickly.
You can also overclock the memory bandwidth speed if you feel daring by using Intel’s XMP 2.0 standard.
Do not attempt this if you have no experience in the field. When the wrong overclock figure is used for RAM, PCs have been known to fail even during boot up. In addition, it is an excellent upgrade, since you can get another module with double the memory and in dual channel as well. If you’re uncertain about how to install it, Crucial’s website has great documentation for proper installation if you’re unsure. Limited lifetime warranty is included (except for Germany, where a 10-year warranty is included from the date of purchase). You can also read Best RAM for Fortnite
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: Crucial Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz Capacity: 16 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- Designed for Intel
- Installation is easy
- An excellent price
- It is important to exercise caution when overclocking
3. Trident Z RGB 16GB (2X8GB) DDR4 – Best High-End RAM for gaming
In addition to the recommended RAM specifications for a game, you should also consider the amount of RAM you’ll need for streaming with friends, capturing, running multiple apps, or doing anything else that might put a stress on your PC, so you should factor that into your purchase.
In order to avoid running out of memory while streaming apps or capturing your games, I recommend doubling the amount of RAM on your PC if you are only planning on using it for gaming. The information might not even be of interest to you right now, but in the future, it might be vital to you.
It can’t hurt to add more RAM to a gaming PC as well, especially with the amazing games that will be announced in the fall. This Trident RAM can run games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at incredibly high speeds thanks to its 4266MHz bandwidth. Despite the fact that the resolution you can choose largely depends on your CPU and Graphics Card, RAM is what moves information from one component to another, so it has to be great. You should be able to play games in native 4K resolution if you have an AMD Ryzen in your system with this RAM.
The look of the PC unit is one of the most important factors when setting up a great gaming PC. The games themselves are not all that important. The visual presence of the best high-end RAM for gaming like this is very impressive: it lights up your rig, and there is even an application that lets you assign individual lights to each module. If you have the right case, however, you can have a lot of fun with this.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: G.Skill Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 4266 MHz Capacity: 8 GB Voltage: 1.2 Volts
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4. Night Hawk RGB 16GB (2X8GB) DDR4 – Best Mid-Tier RAM for gaming
If you still wanted to display some colors, these are not as expensive as the previous ones, but they will still make an impression. In ‘dual channel’ mode, the Night Hawk boasts 16GB with a bandwidth of 3200MHz for fast performance (depending on graphics card and processor).
You will use this PC mainly for editing, but you will also play games a few times a week. In between editing sessions you’d like to play a great MMORPG. You get more RAM in a PC, and 16GB of RAM in a PC is future-proof for the next few years.
The color scheme is the same for this best premium RAM for gaming as mentioned, with software to boot, so you are again able to customize it. It also has heatsinks on each chip so you won’t have to worry about it overheating when you’re rendering those 4K videos.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: TEAMGROUP Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz Capacity: 16 GB Voltage: 1.4 Volts
- I like the way it looks
- Does a good job
- Quite affordable
- There are better RAM options available
5. Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR4 – Best RAM for gaming
Definitely one of the best RAM for gaming bundles on the market. Despite its cool design, its performance really shines. Dominator Platinum RGB builds on Corsair’s reputation for high-end RAM and has an awesome pedigree, making it an easy decision if you have the budget.
The Corsair’s iCUE software can be used with the Dominator Platinum RGB. The high-end nature of this RAM kit makes it one of the best RGB-enhanced RAM kits out there, since even the LEDs have been improved. In this way, they reflect the raw power of the kit through their own bright colors.
Although the Dominator Platinum kit’s price is borderline competitive for a premium RAM package, it still seems a bit expensive. Nonetheless, whatever you’re looking for, you won’t be disappointed.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: Corsair Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3200 MHz Capacity: 16 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- iCUE is an excellent software program
- Performance of the highest quality
- A premium product in every way
- No cons
6. Corsair Vengeance LED 32GB – Best Premium RAM for gaming
Corsair’s Vengeance line of 32GB RAM is insane if money is no object. When slotted in and the PC is running, the memory modules display a soft glow of lights, almost pulsing off and on. Optimising for ‘dual channel’ with a massive bandwidth speed of 3600MHz, you will be able to play most games in 2024 and likely for many years to come. In my most recent Corsair experience, my DDR2 RAM was replaced within a week, which is a great gesture. Corsair’s RAM comes with a lifetime warranty.
This best mid-tier RAM for gaming is overkill for many purposes, despite its increasing popularity. However, it does future-proof one part of your PC by venturing into RAM that a beginner Server needs. You can also overclock the RAM for even greater performance.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: Corsair Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3000 MHz Capacity: 16 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- RAM to fit all your needs
- Exceptional performance
- I really like it
- A lot of money
7. Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 32GB – Best DDR4 RAM for gaming
Listed below is the best high-frequency RAM for gaming that don’t discriminate against your motherboard. In addition, anyone who appreciates sleek and subtle design will be pleased to hear it does not glow (even though we love RGB, it isn’t for everyone).
The 3600Mhz speed of this dual-channel kit is astounding. Gaming enthusiasts, video editors, and bedroom programmers will be happy with this – especially for the price.
Furthermore, 32GB is more than enough for most people, as we’ve discussed several times above. In any case, it’s still twice as good as most rigs. Consequently, you won’t have to worry about your rig slowing down anytime soon.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: Patriot Memory Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz Capacity: 32 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- Designed to work with both Intel and Ryzen processors
- Designed in a subtle manner
- Dissipation of heat effectively
- Overclocking isn’t possible with these
8. Crucial Ballistix MAX RGB 4400 MHz (16GBx2) – Best High-Speed RAM for gaming
I’ll be honest with you – only buy the best DDR4 RAM for gaming that’s this fast if you intend to overclock your system to the max. You will also need a motherboard that can handle the strain of such insane speeds in order to be able to take advantage of these speeds.
The 4400MHz set will continue to work flawlessly for years as long as you’re brave enough and have the equipment to support it. However, when it comes to games specifically, you can expect a minor increase in framerate depending on the game (usually a few extra frames per second). This set is less about how powerful it is for gaming and more about how well it can operate on a daily basis.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: Crucial Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 4400 MHz Capacity: 32 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- Beautiful lighting
- Performance that moves at lightning speed
- Long-term future-proofing
- Unless overclocked, this is overkill
9. Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan 16GB – Best budget gaming RAM
Those who have more modest PC builds can benefit directly from Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan RAM. Often, mid-tier setups are overlooked in the sea of cutting-edge tech, but if you’re looking for a low-cost, reliable memory kit, then this one deserves a second look.
In this best high-speed RAM for gaming, there is a distinct lack of frills. You shouldn’t expect RGB lighting, overclocking potential, or special heatsinks from these RAM sticks. They are a basic pair of sticks that works well for gaming and day-to-day tasks.
SPECIFICATIONS
Brand: TEAMGROUP Memory Type: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3000 MHz Capacity: 16 GB Voltage: 1.35 Volts
- Dual-channel technology is recommended for fast performance
- The price is reasonable for what you get
- Sturdy construction
- Overclocking is not recommended
Conclusion
Each of the points we discussed above has been thoroughly researched and hours of observation have been put in. The focus of this article is to find out the best RAM for gaming among thousands of options ranging from low-end to high-end with extreme features and performance. The RAMs described above can be chosen according to your needs. Vengeance RGB Pro or Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB are both good choices when it comes to 32 GB memory. RGB lovers will find our selection of four high-quality RAMs with beautiful lighting effects satisfying.
The person who is still in doubt about choosing between the above eight RAM products should refer to the buying guide at the top, then read the product they are interested in. To make sure you are choosing the right RAM, you may contact our team at any time via our website. If you want to pair your system with the right hardware components, we can assist you with that.
Frequently Asked Questions
DDR4 and DDR3 are compatible?
Due to the different timings of previous-generation versions, DDR4 is not backward compatible. Additionally, other factors such as pin count and voltage cannot be accommodated. To avoid incompatibility issues, make sure you purchase RAM that is compatible with the system and main circuit.
Why does DDR4 memory differ from DDR3 memory?
In terms of building, DDR4 memory and DDR3 memory differ in terms of generation, size, pin count, performance, and so on. Any component’s next generation will certainly offer new and improved features that the previous generation could not offer. When operating between 1.2V and 1.35V, DDR4 modules save more energy. DDR3 modules require 1.35V to 1.5V of voltage. With DDR4, we can also overclock and perform better than with DDR3.
What is the recommended amount of RAM?
You should determine how much volatile memory your system needs based on other components in your rig and the performance you need. Users with normal needs and internet surfers only need 4 GB of RAM. The recommended amount of memory for gaming is 16 GB to get mid-end gaming performance. If you need a high-end gaming experience, you may have to purchase a 32 GB module.
if you want to build your pc then check our selected motherboards