The computer is slow and delayed, What should I do? Some people estimate that they will directly switch to a new computer. In fact, a ddr4 ram will solve the problem.
Not only has it saved a lot of money for yourself, but no matter whether it is daily office or game play, the computer is no longer stuck.
As the most important part of the PC component, the choice of ddr4 is not a simple matter. In addition to the simple size, you have to worry about heat, RAM channels, CAS latency and clock speed issues.
This ddr4 list details the parameter configuration and its advantages of each product. After reading it carefully, I believe you can find a suitable one.
What is RAM?
RAM is an acronym for Random-Access Memory. It is one of the fundamental pieces of the computing puzzle alongside the processor (or CPU) and classic storage (usually coined as ROM for Read Only Memory).
RAM is needed in order to facilitate data transfer to and from your system storage (can be hard disk drive or solid state drive). The processor is the one that does the compute, the calculations etc and just next to it sits the cache, which is a super fast version of RAM but only available in tiny amounts (up to a couple of hundreds of MB at most).
Then comes RAM (usually around 16GB on standard computers) and beyond that system storage. The further they are from the processor, the cheaper they are per unit storage and the slower they become.
DDR4 Ram VS. DDR3
The DDR3 and DDR4 RAM upgrade also depends on many other factors such as the hardware in use or intended to be used in the future, from which you decide which RAM to upgrade for your computer.
If you are still using old motherboards and using 4th or 5th generation CPUs then you are still using DDR3 when you find all the compatible tools. If you have the latest motherboards today, with 6th generation Intel CPUs, DDR4 RAM will be a good investment for the future – it’s hard to believe that DDR4 RAM won’t be used as often. next time.
How Much RAM Do I Need for Gaming?
Generally speaking, 8GB of RAM is all that is needed in the majority of today’s most-played titles. However, newer games are starting to utilize more and more RAM and if you are planning on doing other process-intensive tasks like video/image editing, or if you like to watch video content while you’re gaming, more memory will come in handy. But, if you are building a budget gaming PC, you can definitely start out with a single 8GB stick of RAM, as that will be enough to handle most games and it will be incredibly easy to add a second stick (for 16GB total) down the road.
The good thing about memory is that, as far as cost goes, it’s probably the one component that will give you the biggest increase in performance relative to its cost (up to a certain point, of course). In fact, for about $30-$40, you can get a kit of 2400MHz 8GB DDR4 RAM–which is pretty good for the price.
However, there are higher-end options out there as well. And, in this post, I will go over the best DDR4 RAM for gaming for 2021 at various price ranges for different budget sizes.
DDR4 RAM Shopping Tips
- 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 multitaskers 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.
- 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 i9, Core i7 and Core i5 processors have the same DDR4-2933 limit as that imposed by Intel’s lesser H470 and B460 chipsets. Core i3 processors have a lower limit of DDR4-2666. While most motherboards lack XMP, those that have it will more easily configure XMP memory with enhanced timings. Note, though, that these rules have changed with Intel’s latest Rocket Lake platform. Memory overclocking is now possible on H570 and B550 motherboards.
- Always buy a single memory kit for your desired capacity. Never combine two memory modules or memory kits even if they’re from the same vendor and product line. Mixing and matching may not always produce a desirable result and sometimes manual tweaking is required to achieve stability.
Our Top Picks:
Whatever your specific needs may be, we’ve chosen some of our favorite options for PC gaming below. Here’s our list of RAM kits we’ve tested at differing price points so that you can spend your money well.
1. Kingston HyperX Fury Black
As one of the oldest memory manufacturers on the market, Kingston has developed a series of well-known products.
HyperX Fury 16GB may not be the cheapest DDR4 memory kit, but in our opinion, it still has a very high price/performance ratio.
It typically operates at 1.2V (1.5V below DDR3). This means that even the slightest voltage increase can bring more power, but still lower than DDR3.
For the purpose of overclocking, we made some minor adjustments to the motherboard BIOS to easily upgrade the 2133MHz HyperX Fury to 2666, 2800 and 3000MHz.
Test results show that HyperX Fury is very flexible because it is very stable at every frequency level. For conservative overclocking settings, the 3200MHz speed is also easy to implement.
But with the advent of the Kaby Lake processor, it may be the best time to replace the Z170 motherboard with the Skylake processor.
- High cost performance
- Low-key and stylish design
- It’s easy to overclock
- No color options like HyperX Fury DDR3
2. G.Skill TridentZ RGB Series
To produce a soft glow effect, G.Skill TridentZ uses five individually addressable RGB LEDs and a matte diffuser that looks great in any host.
After inserting TridentZ RGB into the memory slot on the motherboard, it will display the default standard rainbow effect. If G.SKILL’s accompanying software is installed, you can synchronize the illumination on multiple modules.
Some people may not be so keen on RGB, but the TridentZ RGB series looks really cool.
Like any other PC component that uses RGB, its price is definitely not cheap, but since G.SKILL created the first and only RGB DDR4 kit, it is worth considering.
- Has the same performance as non-RGB models
- Five addressable RGB regions
- Can be synchronized with ASUS AURA lighting
- No custom lighting pattern
3. G.Skill Ripjaws V
Regardless of price or product performance, G.Skill’s RAM has always been in a very good state.
Ripjaws V is the company’s second-generation DDR4 memory product, the new series brings more affordable prices and faster speeds, and redesigned heat sinks with poor heat dissipation.
Although there are no overclocking options, Ripjaws V still performs very well in our benchmarks, and can easily beat all models below 3000MHz, but only slightly behind the higher frequency options.
For those who want to upgrade through the Z170, G.Skill RAM provides a considerable amount of overclocking space. By boosting the voltage to 1.4V, we can easily achieve 3200MHz and 3400MHz overclocking.
Due to its outstanding performance, the G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB package is difficult to surpass, coupled with its good overclocking space, making this product the best choice for our mid-range DDR4 memory.
- Affordable price
- Excellent performance
- Slight stability problems may occur at higher speeds
4. Corsair Dominator Platinum
Since its establishment in 1994, Corsair has evolved into one of the game player’s favorite computer peripheral brands, With continuous innovation in memory, they still impress users around the world.
Corsair’s Dominator Platinum is the first choice for high-end memory with patented DHX cooling technology, unmatched reliability, and a stylish design look.
Powerful Airflow LED fan and integration with Corsair Link. Due to the motherboard’s limit of 3400MHz, it is impossible to overclock the memory too much, but we can easily run with a more compact C15 timing.
If you’re looking for a reliable memory kit and want the cool features and the latest features from premium products, the Dominant Platinum series is probably the best choice.
- With Dominator Airflow LED fan
- Outstanding manufacturing process, stylish aesthetic appearance
- Can replace LED lights
- Adjustable top fin
- 5.5 cm height may interfere with the cooling system
- expensive
5. Corsair Vengeance LPX
Vengeance LPX series memory, frequency up to 4600MHz, and Qi Zhi’s recent Trident Z Trident series are on par with the world’s peak.
Corsair’s new memory features a classic collection of these styles, a large jagged heat sink (black only), and a top-of-the-range Samsung B-Die IC, a dual 8GB set of 16GB and support for Intel XMP 2.0.
The Vengeance LPX series is available in a variety of sizes including 8 x 8GB 4200MHz, 4 x 8GB 4133MHz, 2 x 16GB 4000MHz, 8 x 16GB 3800MHz and more.
All-aluminum-covered heat sink with a frequency of up to 3200MHz, with the new XMP2.0 standard for X99 motherboards to support barrier-free automatic overclocking.
- Reliable quality
- Good game performance
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Expensive
6. Ballistix Sport LT
The Ballistix Sport LT series is available in a single 4/8/16GB, dual-channel package with 8/16/32GB capacity, standard frequency 2400MHz (bandwidth 38.4GB/s), timing 16-16-16, voltage is only 1.2V and Added heat sink and also supports XMP 2.0.
It has a frequency of 2400MHZ, which is enough for the mainstream. Of course, the overclocking potential is good, and it is stable at 2688MHZ.
Using the second-generation Micron 3D NAND technology, 64-layer stacked 3D TLC particles are selected, and the space is compressed as much as possible by the CMOS Under the Array/CUA architecture to make the single-particle capacity larger.
560MB/s read and 510MB/s write, 4K random read and write respectively 95K IOPS and 90K IOPS, it also has advanced features and protection, including dynamic write acceleration, AES 256-bit hardware encryption, power-off data protection , data defense, independent NAND error correction array, overheat protection, etc.
- Good heat dissipation
- High speed
- Affordable
- Stability is not very good
7. Corsair Vengeance RGB LED
VENGEANCE RGB LED memory perfectly supports the next-generation lighting control software iCUE, which includes 2x8GB, 4x8GB, 8x8GB, 2x16GB, 4x16GB, 8x16GB in capacity and spans 2666 to 4700MHz.
The exterior continues the consistent character of the Vengeance collection, with a matte finish painted vest and a full-featured finish. The fully open light bar design has more visible area and can give players a stronger visual impact.
In terms of performance, the original factory-selected particles are used, and the performance default frequency is 3200MHz, and the timing is 16-18-18-38.
RGB light strips have become more eye-catching, with the new iCUE software can bring players a very cool RGB lighting experience, performance is also uncompromising, easy to overclock to 3600MHz while keeping the timing does not change, very rare.
- Stylish
- LED strip
- Powerful performance
- Expensive
8. Patriot Viper 4 Series
Patriot, the world’s leading manufacturer of top memory, USB/Flash, SSD and mobile accessories.
Viper 4’s memory clocked at 3600MHz, dual sets of KIT retail, can help Intel’s 100 series of the latest Intel SKYLAKE processor platform to launch, bringing more powerful bandwidth and more rapid response.
Compatible with XMP 2.0, with manual editing of SPD options for easy overclocking. In addition, you also enjoy a lifetime quality guarantee.
- Affordable
- Good gaming experience
- Overclocking is not very stable
9. Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB
Ballistix is a high-performance memory brand from Crucial designed for gamers, high-performance enthusiasts and overclockers.
As a game-oriented product, Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB is equipped with a dark gray aluminum heat sink that wraps all of the RAM particles, which is more high-end than the bare memory grain.
The Ballistix Tactical Tracer RGB DDR4 kit consists of two 8 GB dual channels with an operating voltage of 1.35V and supports XMP 2.0 technology.
Its default operating frequency is 2400MHz, which provides a set of XMP files that allow it to operate at 3000MHz for better performance.
There is no doubt that higher frequency memory has different degrees of gain for applications in various scenarios, which is also an important reason why Ballistix high frequency memory is more attractive to players.
- High frequency memory
- Good game effect
- RGB lighting
- The color is a bit deep
10. G.Skill Sniper X
The Sniper X series is equipped with urban camouflage and high-comb heat sinks. It is believed that gamers who like military themes will like it, but unfortunately there is no integrated backlight.
In terms of specifications, it provides 3400MHz/3466MHz frequency, single capacity is 8GB, timing is 16-16-16-36 and 18-18-18-38, and the voltage is 1.35V.
In addition, support O.C. Profile overclocking function, users can easily experience overclocking and high-speed performance with simple settings, similar to Intel’s XMP technology, novices can also maximize memory performance.
The overall look is very thick and does not have a lot of fins. There are three camouflage modes on the top, including classic camouflage, urban camouflage and digital camouflage.
- Camouflage is very cool
- Strong and sturdy
- Stable performance
- The heat dissipation is not very good
RAM terminology
DIMMs – Dual In-Line Memory Module, the physical circuit board that holds the RAM chips that plugs into the slots on your motherboard.
ECC Memory – Error-correcting Code Memory, RAM capable of automatically detecting and correcting errors on the fly, generally used in highly sensitive applications, like scientific data collection or banking. Typically only used and supported on servers and workstations, most desktop boards can run it as non-ECC.
Frequency – The effective speed at which the memory operates, measured in MHz.
CL/CAS Latency – Column Access Strobe Latency, the delay between the memory controller requesting data from the RAM and the available data; the first number listed in a kit’s timings.
SO-DIMM – More compact DIMM slots typically deployed in laptops, although these can turn up on tiny machines as well.
Timings – The measure in several memory clock cycles an operation requested by the memory controller will take for the RAM to complete. Lower is generally better.
XMP – eXtreme Memory Profile, instructions for the BIOS that tell it what frequency, timings, and voltage to access RAM at, a shortcut for overclocking without tinkering with each setting individually. Officially for Intel platforms, many AMD boards readily support reading XMP data (though it may go by another name like A-XMP or DOHC).
FAQs
How much memory do I need in my gaming rig?
We recommend a minimum of 16GB for most serious gaming PCs (it’s what we use in our high-end PC build), but it isn’t too costly to upgrade to 32GB these days, thanks to a recent pricing crash. That capacity will provide a hefty buffer if you’re inclined to multitasking, creative or intensive apps, or, y’know, heavy Chrome tab usage—check out our handy guide if you’re wondering how much RAM you actually need.
How fast should RAM be for a gaming PC?
Generally, we’d recommend you stick with two DDR4 modules for a dual-channel build, each with a minimum of 3,000MHz clock speed. That should ensure you’re getting the most out of the best CPUs for gaming. With Intel, you can essentially settle for whatever the best kit you can afford is, while AMD Ryzen patrons will want to look a little deeper.
Do I need to have RGB LEDs on my memory DIMMs?
No. Absolutely not. But RGB can make your machine look that little bit cooler, and we all know PCs need to run cool.
Bottom line
When looking around for DDR4 RAM for your desktop PC, it’s important to keep in mind clock speeds, latency numbers, required voltage, the design, price, and whether it’s compatible with your motherboard and processor. Most modern boards and CPUs will support clock speeds of 3200MHz and beyond, though it’s worth double-checking.