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While AMD had already dropped support for DDR4 with its Ryzen 7000 series, Intel has followed the same path this year with its Core Ultra Arrow Lake processors. As such, if you’re in the market for either platform’s latest CPUs, you’ll have to shift to DDR5. This was inevitable, as DDR5 is the way to go with its incredible speeds and overall performance, making these kits some of the best RAM for gaming.
At Tech4Gamers, my primary job is to test and review all PC hardware, and I have been collaborating with some of my colleagues over the past few months to test all the new DDR5 kits that have been released this year. One of the biggest challenges of our testing methodology was maintaining a consistent test bench, as this year, we saw many new AMD EXPO kits come out. To keep the testing and comparison as fair as possible, we used the exact same setup in most of the kits, but there were a number of EXPO-only kits that were tested on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
That’s also why we have now included two more categories: the best Intel XMP DDR5 and the best AMD EXPO DDR5 kits. This way, if you plan to stick with either of these platforms, you can get a tried and tested DDR5 kit that will last you for the next few upgrades. There is one thing that should always be considered whenever you’re shopping for DDR5 RAM for these platforms: for AMD, you need to prioritize latency over frequency, and for Intel, you need to prioritize frequency over latency.
To round up this year’s top DDR5 options and to fairly award our titles to the most deserving kits, we scrutinized our dozens of tested and reviewed kits over this aspect, along with a few more parameters like overclocking support, stability on either platform, overall performance (latency, read, write), and thermals.
With that said, let’s go over the best DDR5 RAM that we recommend in 2024.
In this comparison table, you’ll find our recommendations for the top DDR5 RAM kits:
To explore all the kits we’ve tested, check out our RAM Comparison Tool. You can sort and view different DDR5 kits based on their specs and test results.
Last Updated:
- December 11, 2024: After completing our 2024 DDR5 testing, we have added two new categories, AMD EXPO and Intel XMP, to our recommendations, along with replacing the products for best overall, value, and white kits.
Best DDR5 RAM Picks Detailed
After putting these RAM kits to the test and gaining hands-on experience, I’ve chosen them as the best DDR5 RAM kits available:
- Best Overall: XPG Lancer ROG DDR5-6600 CL32
- Best Performance: XPG Lancer RGB 7200MHz CL34
- Best Premium Performance: TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem 8000MHz CL38
- Best Value: G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series DDR5-6000 DDR5 CL30
- Best White: Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5-6000 32GB CL30
- Best AMD EXPO: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6400 CL30
- Best Intel XMP: Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34
XPG Lancer ROG 6600MHz CL32
Best Overall DDR5 RAM
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,600MHz | Latency: CL32 | Latency (nanoseconds): 9.69ns | Input Voltage: 1.40V | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Beautiful design featuring RGB
- Support for AMD and Intel
- Better performance on ASUS ROG motherboards
- Sturdy build quality
Cons
- Slightly pricier
Read Our XPG Lancer ROG 32GB 6,600MHz CL32 DDR5 RAM Kit Review
One of the latest RAM kits on the market, the XPG Lancer ROG 32GB 6,600MHz CL32 DDR5 RAM kit, is a highly unique kit, both in performance and aesthetics. Featuring a beautiful, crystal-clear mirrored finish, this kit stands out from the rest of the XPG Lancer lineup, which only comes with a brushed aluminum texture on the rightmost section. Topping off the looks is the customizable RGB lighting that makes me love the kit even more.
Regarding performance, I recommend this kit particularly for Intel builds, but it’s still pretty decent for AMD builds, too. Why the segregation? The kit faces latency issues with AMD CPUs, so you’ll have to be on the lookout for that. According to our dedicated testing with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D, the kit had a 74.4ns average latency in AIDA64, getting beaten by all of its competition. Inversely, it beat all its competition in the other tests with the same CPU. If you run the kit at 6,400 or 6,600MHz, the latency issues will disappear, and you’ll have outstanding performance.
Our hardware reviewer, Mussab Ali, loved the kit’s compatibility with ASUS motherboards, yet provided impressive performance for all tasks with other components. Here’s what he stated in his review:
The XPG Lancer ROG DDR5-6600 is the new hero in the Lancer lineup, tuned for ASUS ROG Z890 boards, but also standing up to the task of others. This is an ECC memory kit that performs up to the mark for the speed on offer and looks excellent with its polished black design and RGB.
What Makes It The Best Overall DDR5 RAM?
With beautiful aesthetics, impressive performance for both CPU companies, and a not-so-bad price, the XPG Lancer ROG 32GB 6,600MHz CL32 DDR5 RAM kit doesn’t leave any crumbs on the table. Moreover, the kit has decent overclocking potential, allowing you to leverage even more performance with the click of a button. Hence, all these features make me give it the title of the best overall DDR5 RAM kit.
I loved the XPG Lancer ROG 32GB 6,600MHz RAM kit because it’s ideal for both Intel and AMD builds. You can also easily overclock the kit for more performance. With a sleek design and good RGB lighting, the RAM kit doesn’t leave you wanting more. If it fits your budget, you won’t find a better kit than this one.
– Nauman Siddique
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Overclocking: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
XPG Lancer RGB 7200MHz CL34
Best Performance DDR5 RAM
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (16GB x2) | Frequency: 7200MHz | Latency: CL34 | Latency (nanoseconds): 9.44 ns | Input Voltage: 1.40V | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
Cons
Read Our XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 RAM Review
XPG has gone with a very stylish and modern design for the Lancer RAM kit. The modules have a clean black heat spreader with silver accents that look quite nice when installed in a PC case. The highlight is of course the large RGB bar on the top which provides a touch of personalization to the memory modules. My selected variant of the XPG Lancer RGB RAM kit is quite impressive from a stock performance standpoint thanks to its high 7200 MHz frequency and reasonable latency of CL34. I also managed to overclock the kit to 7800 MHz at CL34 using 1.5V, which is a very healthy overclock for this memory kit.
While this kit has a relatively higher price tag when you compare it to others in the same category, the stock performance and overclocking potential certainly justify the additional premium. The overall value proposition is quite positive despite the initial price tag being a bit higher than the competition.
After running a gauntlet of tests and compiling my results, I was rather impressed with the XPG Lancer RGB RAM:
Its impressive overclocking capabilities, dual-platform support, and error correction function make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts.
What Makes It The Best Performance DDR5 RAM?
The XPG Lancer RGB RAM kit provides excellent stock performance in gaming and productivity tasks thanks to its high frequency and tight timings, along with respectable overclocking potential, making it the best performance DDR5 RAM on the market.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Overclocking: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem 8000MHz CL38
Best Premium Performance DDR5 RAM
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (16GB x2) | Frequency: 8000MHz | Latency: CL38 | Latency (nanoseconds): 9.5 ns | Input Voltage: 1.45V | RGB Lighting: No
Pros
Cons
Read Our TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem DDR5 RAM Review
Aesthetics are not really the strong point of the TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem series, as this lineup is purely focused on performance. The black heat spreaders do give it a very understated look, but the silver accents and text do not really do much to improve the design. There is a stark lack of RGB lighting, which may also be a divisive choice. The TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem dominates the memory benchmarks in my test suite, as it is the fastest memory kit I have tested to date. The memory overclocking performance, however, is underwhelming as I was not able to overclock the T-Force Xtreem kit since it has already been pushed to the limit out of the box.
Of course, being a premium memory kit, the T-Force Xtreem is aimed at enthusiasts who want the best of the best. Its price tag is quite steep, but it still provides a decent value for your money if you can harness its performance in a meaningful way, as creators can definitely benefit from the additional performance uplift.
During my in-depth testing, I also noted that:
The Teamgroup T-Force XTREEM DDR5 kit stands out for its exceptional performance and robust build quality, aimed at enthusiasts and overclockers.
What Makes It The Best Premium Performance DDR5 RAM?
With a sky-high frequency of 8000MHz straight out of the box, the TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem RAM kit gained the top spot in my memory tests and earned the title of the best premium performance DDR5 RAM.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Overclocking: 7/10 | Design: 7/10 |
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 Series 6000MHz
Best Value DDR5 RAM
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL30 | Latency (nanoseconds): 10ns | Input Voltage: 1.35V | RGB Lighting: No
Pros
- Good speed
- Tight CL timings
- Low profile design
- Impressive build quality
- Intel XMP 3.0 support
- Superb value for money
Cons
- Only optimized for Intel
Read Our G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB DDR5-6000 Review
Don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new DDR5 RAM after purchasing your latest CPU? Don’t worry because the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 Series 6,000MHz 32GB CL30 DDR5 RAM kit offers impressive performance without emptying your wallet. I like the design and the 33mm tall heat spreader. There is, of course, nothing about RGB and stuff like that, but it makes sense because it is designed for value, not looks.
Despite the relatively affordable price tag, the module provides solid performance, offering speeds of up to 6,000MHz and a CL30 latency at 1.35V. That translates to exactly 10 nanoseconds, making it a fairly low-latency module. Overclocking is also very possible, and going up to 6,200MHz with a voltage bump shouldn’t necessarily pose any issues.
The RAM’s price-to-performance was a standout. Here’s what I said in my hands-on review:
The G.Skill Ripjaws S5 6000MHz CL30 is the best of both worlds when it comes to value for money and performance. With a durable build quality and limited lifetime warranty, this is easily a hand-picked kit for mainstream users.
What Makes It The Best Value DDR5 RAM?
The G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB DDR5 comes in at a reasonable price, without compromising the slightest on the performance side of things, providing a 6,000MHz speed and a 10ns latency. In addition to that, it also fits into small form factor builds easily thanks to its low profile design, which is why I have crowned it the Best Value DDR5 RAM.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Overclocking: 8/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 6000MHz
Best White DDR5 RAM
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL30 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | Voltage: 1.40V | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
- Gorgeous aesthetics and RGB lighting
- Customizable top cover
- Impressive performance
- EXPO and XMP 3.0 support
- Decent overclocking ability
Cons
- Expensive
- Compatibility issues
Read Our Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 32GB 6,000MHz CL30 RAM Kit Review
Next up on my list is the perfect DDR5 RAM kit if you’re considering building a white PC, regardless of whether you’re using an Intel or AMD CPU. The Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 32GB 6,000MHz CL30 RAM kit provides exceptional performance with a low 10ns latency. During our dedicated testing, the kit scored a decent 18,534 in Cinebench R23.2 with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU, beating all its competition. Whether you use the kit to play games or do productive tasks, you won’t have any issues.
It’s also pretty easy to overclock the Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB. With a slight nudge to the CL timings, we managed to hit 6,200MHz, taking them to CL32-38-38-78. Besides that, you’re getting a beautiful white RAM kit with tons of RGB lighting and a customizable top cover to fit your aesthetic. Of course, that increases the price, which I’m not a fan of. Moreover, the 56mm height might give you compatibility issues if you use a dual-fan beefy air cooler.
Mussab Ali loved the premium look and performance of the RAM kit. Here’s how he described it in his in-depth review:
The Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5-6000 32GB CL30 is a high-end Premium RAM, that not only performs well but comes with that aesthetic appeal as well. Corsair has created a well-rounded product to cater to its customers. If you’re looking for RAM that will let you push your CPU to its limits as it’s supposed to, then this RAM is for you!
What Makes It The Best White DDR5 RAM?
With features such as a customizable top cover, beautiful RGB lighting, easy overclocking possibilities, gorgeous white looks, and high-end performance for both AMD and Intel CPUs, the Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 32GB 6,000MHz CL30 RAM kit doesn’t leave much on the table. Whether using a midrange or high-end CPU, it won’t bottleneck your performance, making it the best white DDR5 RAM.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 10/10 |
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB
Best AMD EXPO DDR5 RAM
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL30 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | RGB: Yes | Voltage: 1.35V
Pros
- Beautiful aesthetics
- Low latency
- Doesn’t compromise on performance
- Decent 6,000MHz frequency
Cons
- Can have height issues
Read Our G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5 RAM Kit Review
The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6,000MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM kit nails its aesthetics with a beautiful RGB light bar cutting seamlessly at the center. Moreover, the RAM gives off an aggressive aesthetic, making it an amazing fit in most PC builds. We commend G.Skill for incorporating an aluminum heatsink that helps keep the thermals low even when overclocking the kit.
Regarding performance, the RAM kit is a no-brainer for any use-case scenario because of its decent 6,000MHz frequency, low 10ns latency, and tight CL30 timings. During our testing, the RAM kit did not bottleneck the Ryzen 9 9900X CPU even at higher resolutions and provided impressive gaming performance at 1440p and 4K. In particular, the RAM has decent overclocking potential due to AMD’s EXPO one-click overclocking profiles, but the high overclocked voltage didn’t allow us to tighten the timings.
While testing the RAM kit, our reviewer, Mussab Ali, was dazed by its remarkable performance at higher resolutions and stated the following:
The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 is for AMD enthusiasts with a little bit of budget constraint and don’t want to compromise that much on performance either. It looks great, performs well, and doesn’t cost as much as some of the competition. One of the best well-rounded RAMs in the market right now.
What Makes It The Best AMD EXPO DDR5 RAM?
The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 RAM provides impeccable performance, beautiful aesthetics, and impressive build quality, all while maintaining a decent price. By utilizing AMD’s EXPO technology, overclocking the RAM is exceptionally straightforward and yields good results, making it the best AMD EXPO DDR5 RAM.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34
Best Intel XMP DDR5 RAM
Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16 GB) | Frequency: 7200MHz | Latency: CL34 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 9.44ns | Voltage: 1.450V | RGB: Yes
Pros
Cons
Read Our Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 Review
For Intel enthusiasts who want the best performance possible, I would recommend the Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5. Not only does it keep up with the performance side of things, but it is also one of the better-looking modules I have seen in a while. It comes with a striking aluminum cover as well as sleek RGB lighting that runs across the entirety of the module’s length. Additionally, Corsair has given users the ability to swap out the top RGB cover for a custom one.
Using Intel XMP, the RAM can operate at a frequency of 7200 MHz while providing CL34 timings at 1.45V. The 9.44ns latency is great to see on higher-end kits, with the RAM showcasing solid results in our dedicated performance tests. We weren’t too impressed by the overclocking potential since the module only reached 7600 MHz, that too with a voltage increase of 1.52V. That said, out-of-the-box XMP performance is already more than enough for most use cases.
Here’s what I said about the kit in my in-depth review:
The kit competes well in performance, though there is limited overclocking headroom. Unique features like RGB lighting effects and the option to switch to a fin assembly design add a distinctive touch. Overall, we recommend this RAM.
What Makes It The Best Intel XMP DDR5 RAM?
The Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34 checks all the boxes of a high-performing kit. Sure, the overclocking potential might not be the best, but you get solid performance out of the XMP profiles, great cooling capabilities, and a remarkable design, which is why I have deemed it the Best Intel XMP DDR5 RAM.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Overclocking: 7/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Benchmarks Of The Best DDR5 RAM
I personally tested several of these DDR5 RAM kits against each other in a series of standardized tests. The results were quite intriguing:
Specifications Comparison
Here is a side-by-side specs comparison of the best DDR5 RAM kits.
| RAM | Capacity (GBs) | Frequency (MHz) | Latency (CL) | Latency (ns) | Voltage (V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.Skill Trident Z5 | 32 | 6600 | 34 | 10.3 | 1.35 |
| XPG Lancer RGB | 32 | 7200 | 34 | 9.44 | 1.40 |
| TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem | 32 | 8000 | 38 | 9.5 | 1.45 |
| TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB | 32 | 6000 | 30 | 10 | 1.35 |
| Lexar ARES RGB | 32 | 6400 | 32 | 10.66 | 1.40 |
| V-Color Manta XPrism RGB | 32 | 7200 | 34 | 9.44 | 1.40 |
| TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert | 48 | 7200 | 34 | 9.44 | 1.40 |
| Corsair Vengeance RGB | 64 | 6000 | 30 | 10 | 1.40 |
Why We Didn’t Go For These Best DDR5 RAM Kits?
I tested a plethora of DDR5 RAM kits in order to determine the best ones currently available, which means that several RAM kits did not make the cut. Here are a few DDR5 RAM kits that just missed the mark.
- Kingston Fury Renegade DDR5 6400MHz CL32: Although its stock performance was satisfactory, it did not lead the charts in any particular category.
- Sabrent Rocket DDR5 4800MHz CL40: It is certainly an attractive option on a tight budget, but its stock performance just lags behind the competition too much.
How We Tested & Picked The Best DDR5 RAM
We used stringent criteria to finalize our selection of the best DDR5 RAM. You should also keep these factors in mind when shopping for RAM.
- Budget and Affordability: Just like with any other purchase, it’s essential to base your decision on a specific budget, so you’ll know whether it is feasible for you to splurge on some of the more premium DDR5 RAMs out there, or go for something more practical such as a value-oriented RAM kit. The price-to-performance ratio is a crucial factor to consider.
- Latency and Frequency: Pay close attention to the RAM kit’s latency timings and overall performance specifications. Lower latency and higher clock speeds can significantly impact system responsiveness and speed, making it essential to choose a DDR5 RAM kit that aligns with your specific computing needs.
- Aesthetics: The aesthetics and build quality should not be overlooked when selecting a DDR5 RAM kit. The physical appearance of RAM modules can contribute to the overall look of your PC build. Opting for RAM modules with a unique design can enhance its visual appeal, and can give you customization options through RGB lighting.
- Compatibility: The market is filled with dozens and dozens of RAM kits along with pages of marketing jargon, which can confuse the average buyer, therefore it is important to consider the compatibility factor beforehand. Memory kits optimized for Intel CPUs often have “Ready for XMP” labels, while AMD-specific memory tends to showcase the “AMD EXPO” certification.
- Manufacturer Support: It’s also critical to factor in manufacturer support and brand reputation. Established and reputable brands often provide better customer support, warranty coverage, and product reliability. In case you encounter any issues or require assistance, a trustworthy manufacturer is more likely to offer reliable solutions and timely support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, DDR5 RAM is great for gaming. My tests have shown a noticeable increase in gaming and productivity performance over DDR4 memory kits in similar scenarios.
Yes, Intel’s 600 and 700 series chipsets support DDR5, while AMD’s X670/E and B650/E motherboards also support this new standard.
If you are after extreme gaming or content creation, then 32GB of DDR5 RAM is a great fit for you. However, it may be a bit too much if you are just using your PC for normal productivity workloads.
Recent Updates
- July 27, 2024: We have changed the formatting to improve readability.
- March 18, 2024: I added the TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert RAM kit as the best 48GB DDR5 RAM option, and the Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM kit as the best 64GB DDR5 RAM option, made some text changes to improve readability and added specs comparison along with image galleries from my tests.
- March 11, 2024: I replaced the Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM with the V-Color Manta XPrism RAM, thanks to the cleaner design and superior overclocking headroom of the latter.
- March 4, 2024: I swapped the G.Skil Ripjaws S5 RAM with the Lexar ARES RGB RAM as it delivers better performance at a lower price point, therefore providing superior value.
- February 27, 2024: I replaced the Sabrent Rocket DDR5 RAM with TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB RAM as it provides a superior value proposition and a better design.
- February 18, 2024: I decided to replace the V-Color Manta XPrism RGB RAM with the TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem RAM due to the superior frequency and resulting performance of the latter.
- February 6, 2024: I swapped the Kingston Fury Renegade RGB RAM with XPG Lancer RGB RAM since the latter provides better stock performance in a variety of applications.
- August 19, 2023: The best budget DDR5 RAM was out of stock, so I updated it with a much better replacement.
We have also tested and recommended other RAM kits:
- Best RAM For Gaming
- Best RAM For i9-14900K
- Best RAM For Ryzen 9 7950X
- Best RAM For i9-13900KS
- Best RAM For Ryzen 9 5950X
Thank you! Please share your positive feedback. 🔋
How could we improve this post? Please Help us. 😔
Feedback By:
Kieran Ramirez
Informative, but noticed a few minor errors in the specs. Double-checking those would make it perfect.
clay
Appreciate the overclocking tips, but step-by-step instructions would be really helpful for beginners
Rod
Benchmarks are great, but some of the technical stuff was a bit overwhelming. Maybe simplify it a bit?
marty
solid recommendations - beeen looking for a ddr5 guide and this hits the spot
Kev
In-depth analysis and overclocking info are great, but more on compatibility with different motherboards would be awesome
Lee
Love the detailed specs breakdown made it so much easier to compare nice work!
Yuri Jonathan
there are some good picks no doubt but some picks are literally waste of money. for instance, the 30 CL 6000 MHz RAM will outperform the 8000 MHz one by a mile in most tasks. let\'s be honest and stop hyping these
[Hardware Reviewer & Editor]
Meet Nauman Siddique, a highly experienced computer science graduate with more than 15 years of knowledge in technology. Nauman is an expert in the field known for his deep understanding of computer hardware.
As a tech tester, insightful reviewer, and skilled hardware editor, Nauman carefully breaks down important parts like motherboards, graphics cards, processors, PC cases, CPU coolers, and more.
- 15+ years of PC Building Experience
- 10+ years of first-hand knowledge of technology
- 7+ years of doing in-depth testing of PC Hardware
- A motivated individual with a keen interest in tech testing from multiple angles.
- I majored in Computer Science with a Masters in Marketing
- Previously worked at eXputer, EnosTech, and Appuals.
- Completed Course in Computer Systems Specialization From Illinois Tech
Get In Touch: nauman@tech4gamers.com
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