The latest Intel processor releases have made gamers want to upgrade their computers. The RAM is one of the most critical aspects to upgrade alongside the processor, as faster RAM equates to faster data transfer between the CPU and other components. Therefore, through our dedicated testing, we have amassed the best RAM for the Intel Core i7-14700K processor in today’s article.
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Before I talk about each product in detail, here are the general specifications of my top picks for the best RAM:
Interested in the Intel Core i7-14700K? Here’s more:
Best RAM For i7-14700K
The following are the best RAM for the Intel Core i7-14700K that I have selected:
- Best overall RAM For i7-14700K: G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB 6,600MHz CL34
- Best Performance RAM For i7-14700K: V-Color Manta XPrism 32GB 7,200MHz CL36
- Best White RAM For i7-14700K: Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5 6,000MHz CL36
- Best Value RAM For i7-14700K: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB 6,000MHz CL30
- Best DDR4 RAM For i7-14700K: Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB 3,600MHz CL16
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB
Best Overall RAM For i7-14700K
Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,600MHz | Latency: CL34 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10.3ns | Voltage: 1.40V | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Multi-Channel Kit: Dual channel | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
- Amazing aesthetics
- Remarkable latency speeds
- Lifetime warranty
- Incredibly high frequency
- Great heatsink
Cons
- Only supports Raptor Lake
- Lackluster overclocking performance
Design: The G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 looks astonishing in almost any build. The kit incorporates hypercar design elements into the Trident heat spreader, creating a sleek and futuristic look. Furthermore, the RAM features a black brushed aluminum strip into a metallic body. Also, the body is available in silver or black colors, so you can customize the RAM to your liking. Lastly, I customized the RGB using the G.Skill software, making the RAM stand out.
Performance: The G.Skill Trident Z5 has one of the highest frequencies at 6,600MHz. Moreover, with CAS timings of CL34-40-40-105, you get excellent latencies. Breaking the CL34 latency even further, we get a latency of 10.3 nanoseconds, showcasing the speed of the G.Skill Trident Z5. During my gaming tests with the i7-14700K, the RAM loaded game maps almost instantly, showcasing its speed.
Overclocking Potential: The G.Skill Trident Z5 kit offers XMP 3.0 support, enabling the 6,600MHz speed and CL34-40-40-105 latency timings. The RAM kit has a voltage of 1.40V and houses a fantastic heatsink. However, when I tried to overclock the RAM, I couldn’t move past the 7,000MHz limit, making the kit’s overclocking potential subpar. I didn’t do much except increase the DRAM voltage by 0.05V, which bumped the frequency to 7,000MHz.
Buy It If
Highlighting the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5 with photos from our in-depth review.
✅You’re looking for a sleek design: If you’re looking for an elegant RAM kit, the G.Skill Trident Z5 will cover your needs with its fantastic heatsink design. The RAM isn’t exceptionally tall, so placing it with bigger CPU coolers shouldn’t be problematic. Moreover, you have many RGB customization options, making the RAM even better.
✅You want remarkably fast latencies: One of the G.Skill Trident Z5’s most significant advantages is its breakneck latency speeds, enabling CL34-40-40-105 with XMP 3.0. This amounts to the kit’s nanosecond latency to be 10.3ns. Thus, if you’re looking for remarkably fast latencies for productivity tasks, the G.Skill Trident Z5 won’t let you down.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You want greater CPU support: While the G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 RAM kit is compatible with Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th gen processors, that’s the only compatibility it supports. If you want to shift to AMD in the future, you must purchase a new RAM kit alongside the processor.
What Makes It The Best Overall RAM For i7-14700K?
The G.Skill Trident Z5 offers fantastic performance with a 6,600MHz frequency with XMP 3.0 enabled. Moreover, the kit has superbly low latencies at CL34-40-40-105. This also translates to 10.3ns latency, which is impressive for productivity tasks. The RAM also houses a beautiful heatsink with customizable RGB. This makes the G.Skill Trident Z5 the best overall RAM for the Intel Core i7-14700K processor.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 10/10 |
V-Color Manta XPrism 32GB
Best Performance RAM For i7-14700K
Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) | Frequency: 7,200MHz | Latency: CL36 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | Voltage: 1.45V | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Multi-Channel Kit: Dual channel | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
- Superb overclocking capabilities
- High-quality aluminum heatsink
- XMP 3.0 & EXPO 9.0 support
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Extremely high frequencies
- 10ns latency speed
Cons
- Expensive
- Higher voltage output
Design: If you’re into the prism crystal-like design other high-end RAM kits utilize, you will love the V-Color Manta XPrism RAM. With a white aluminum heatsink with fully customizable RGB lighting, you get a slim yet long RAM module. It is easier to fit the RAM with the best AIO coolers rather than attempting to install an air cooler. Moreover, the RAM does not have dedicated RGB software, but the motherboard software can help with the customization.
Performance: The kit provides the best performance you can imagine for your Intel Core i7-14700K. With an exceptionally high frequency of 7,200MHz, the RAM kit also houses CAS timings of CL36-44-44-105, making it super fast. Furthermore, breaking the CL timings, we get a 10ns latency. Additionally, our dedicated testing in AIDA64 Engineer harbored a read speed of ~107,540MB/s, making the RAM kit second to none.
Overclocking Potential: The V-Color Manta XPrism DDR5 RAM kit loves to be overclocked. The default voltage requirements for the memory are at 1.45V, but when you overclock, they will unconditionally go up to 1.53V. During our overclocking attempt, we gained a substantial 800MHz, taking the kit to 8,000MHz with 32-43-43-100 CL timings, making the memory even faster. The only thing throttling the RAM will be your processor and cooling.
Nauman Siddique, our hardware reviewer who took a go with the V-Color Manta XPrism DDR5 RAM kit, loved the design, stating it “fits with neutral themes.”
“the middle of each module clearly shows the scintillating diamond-cut design.”
Buy It If
✅You’re a fan of the prism design: If you like prism crystalline designs on your RAM kits, the V-Color Manta XPrism DDR5 won’t disappoint you. With a white aluminum heatsink, the kit offers fully customizable RGB via your motherboard’s dedicated customization software.
✅You love overclocking: In case you’re an overclocking fan who loves to put their PC components through the grinder, the V-Color Manta XPrism RAM kit will surprise you with its overclocking capabilities. In my overclocking attempt, I increased the frequency by 800MHz, taking the kit to 8,000MHz while dropping the CL timings to 32-43-43-100.
✅You want maximum performance: The V-Color Manta XPrism will provide the ultimate performance you can get with your Intel Core i7-14700K processor. If you’re looking for that, I strongly recommend this RAM kit because you will not regret the purchase.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You’re using an air cooler: If you’re using an air cooler, such as the Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, you may have issues with RAM clearance. It’s another story if you’re using a low-profile air cooler, but I still recommend looking through the dimensions and ensuring there aren’t any problems.
What Makes It The Best Performance RAM For i7-14700K?
The enormous frequency size of 7,200MHz with XMP 3.0 enabled, along with the super-fast 10ns latency and CL timings of 36-43-43-105, make the V-Color Manta XPrism 32GB DDR5 RAM kit the best performance RAM for the Intel Core i7-14700K. Additional features such as the prism design with a high-quality diffuser for the customizable RGB, along with a high-grade aluminum heatsink, increase the value of the RAM and keep the temperatures low.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB
Best White RAM For i7-14700K
Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL36 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 12ns | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Multi-channel kit: Dual channel | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
- Beautiful aesthetics
- Great latency speeds
- Amazing performance
- High-quality aluminum heatsink
- Superb overclocking potential
- Integrated temperature sensor
Cons
- Extremely tall
Design: The Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5 white kit is one of the most beautiful RAM kits we have seen. The memory isn’t only perfect for white PCs but also with stealth builds if you purchase the black version. The RAM offers fantastic RGB customization options through the iCUE software. However, the heatsink makes the RAM incredibly long at around 56mm. So, if you’re using an air cooler, you should keep the RAM clearance in mind.
Performance: The Corsair Vengeance RGB white kit provides enough performance to run the Intel Core i7-14700K efficiently. To explain, the kit offers a frequency of 6,000MHz running at a 12ns latency with CAS timings of CL36-36-36-76. During our dedicated gaming tests, we saw no stutters, and even at 1440p, the CPU managed to load the game maps almost instantly, thanks to the RAM’s fast data processing.
Overclocking Potential: The RAM kit has superb overclocking capabilities. The base voltage of the memory module is 1.35V, so you can easily increase it to 1.4V. By increasing the voltage by 0.05V, we hit stable frequencies of 6,600MHz, around a 6.7% increment from the advertised XMP 3.0 enabled frequencies. Additionally, while keeping that frequency, we also got the lowest timings of 34-34-34-74. This also reduces the latency to 10.3ns.
Buy It If
✅You’re looking for a visually stunning RAM kit: If you’re looking for a visually stunning RAM module, the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit will suit your taste. It is available in black and white colors, offers full RGB customization, and has a stunning heatsink, making it perfect for darker and brighter-themed builds.
✅Slight overclocking doesn’t scare you: The Corsair Vengeance RGB white kit truly shines when it is overclocked slightly. Going from 1.35V to 1.40V can increase the overall performance by 6.7% and decrease latencies by 14.1%. If slight overclocking doesn’t scare you, I implore you to purchase the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You don’t have proper RAM clearance: The Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 white RAM kit is tall because of its RGB LEDs and heatsink. So, I don’t suggest purchasing the modules unless you have adequate RAM clearance in case you’re using an air cooler.
What Makes It The Best White RAM For i7-14700K?
Having beautiful aesthetics, a fully aluminum heatsink with ten addressable RGB LED lights, and multiple color variants, along with remarkable performance and superb overclocking capabilities, make the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 the best white RAM kit for the Intel Core i7-14700K processor. The ultra-low overclocking latencies and iCUE software customizations are other reasons for the award.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 10/10 |
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB
Best Value RAM For i7-14700K
Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL30 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Multi-channel kit: Dual channel | RGB Lighting: No
Pros
- Low profile design
- Incredibly low latencies
- Superb value
- Brushed aluminum heatsink
- Great build quality
Cons
- No RGB
Design: The G.Skill Ripjaws S5 memory kit is perfect for gamers who want to build a stealth or sleeper build. The brushed aluminum heatsink comes in matte black and white variants. Furthermore, the heatsink isn’t exceptionally tall at 33mm, so you shouldn’t have any problems with RAM clearance, even with a bigger air cooler. On the other hand, the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 doesn’t provide any RGB, making it unable to fit in flashier builds.
Performance: With a frequency of 6,000MHz, extremely low latency of 10ns, and CAS timings of CL30-40-40-96, you won’t have any problems running games. During our performance tests, the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 showcased significantly higher performance than its competition with lower temperatures. The performance test showcased that the RAM kit has the potential to be overclocked without thermal restrictions.
Overclocking Potential: The G.Skill Ripjaws S5 has superb overclocking capabilities, as seen in our dedicated overclocking attempt. The base voltage of the memory kit lies at 1.35V, allowing voltage increments. However, for the overclocking test, we increased the frequency and gained a 600MHz boost without changing the timings or voltage. You can likely go up to 7,000MHz and tighten the timings further if you increase the voltage.
Buy It If
✅You’re using a large air cooler: Cooling the Intel Core i7-14700K processor is challenging. Many gamers use larger air coolers to cool the CPU, making installing RAM with proper clearance harder. If you’re facing a similar issue, the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5 RAM kit will fit without problems due to its low-profile design at a height of 33mm.
✅You don’t plan on upgrading again for several years: If you’re not going to upgrade your system again for several years, the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 RAM kit will be helpful due to its build quality. Even through rough usage for a long time, the performance won’t diminish.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You require RGB: The biggest flaw of the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 RAM is that it lacks RGB capabilities. Of course, it’s not the most important, but many gamers prefer flashier builds to darker builds. I don’t recommend this memory kit if you’re one of them.
What Makes It The Best Value RAM For i7-14700K?
The decent XMP 3.0-enabled performance with the unrealistically low latency of 10ns and CAS timings of CL30 make the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5 kit the best value RAM for the Intel Core i7-14700K processor. Additionally, the RAM’s superb overclocking capabilities, low-profile design, and honeycomb heatsink add to the value of the kit.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 7/10 |
Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB
Best DDR4 RAM For i7-14700K
Specifications: Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 32GB (2 x 16GB) | Frequency: 3,600MHz | Latency: CL16 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 8.8ns | Voltage: 1.35V | Warranty: Limited lifetime | Multi-channel kit: Dual channel | RGB Lighting: Yes
Pros
- Visually attractive
- Super fast latency
- Great gaming performance
- Superb customization options
Cons
- High voltage output
- Insufficient overclocking potential
- No support for XMP 3.0
Design: The Corsair Vengeance RGB RT kit has similar looks to the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit. The kit showcases a brushed aluminum heatsink in black or white colors. Moreover, the RGB LED lights are fully customizable using the Corsair iCUE software. You can also choose from various RGB profiles set by the software. If you’re using an air cooler, you might have a few problems with RAM clearance, but it shouldn’t be too bad.
Performance: The Corsair Vengeance RGB RT kit has a frequency of 3,600MHz. Additionally, the RAM kit has a latency of only 8.8ns, with CAS timings of CL16-20-20-38 with Intel XMP 2.0 enabled. I felt no latency issues during my gaming session, and the maps loaded almost instantly. However, I wouldn’t recommend using the RAM for productivity tasks with the Intel Core i7-14700K processor.
Overclocking Potential: The Corsair Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 kit isn’t the best for overclocking. You can get up to 3,600MHz and 8.8ns latency with CAS timings of 16-20-20-38 with XMP 2.0 enabled, but that’s about it. When I tried to overclock the RAM, I barely got a 200MHz boost, and the latency wouldn’t budge. Considering the XMP-enabled voltage is at 1.35V on a DDR4 RAM, it’s not surprising there isn’t much overclocking headroom.
Buy It If
✅You want a visually attractive PC build: The Corsair Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 memory kit is perfect if you’re trying to build a visually stunning PC without spending lots of money. Furthermore, you get multiple RGB customization options, the ability to choose between black or white variants, and a brushed aluminum heatsink.
✅You require super-fast latency: One of the most significant advantages of using the Corsair Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 RAM is its super-fast latency of 8.8ns. If you work on many productivity tasks, the latency will significantly help you and save time in renders and data transfers.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You want to overclock your RAM: Although the Corsair Vengeance RGB RT provides excellent gaming performance, it has no overclocking headroom. By utilizing the Intel XMP 2.0, you mostly reach the RAM’s overclocking limit and can’t go further than that. So, I don’t recommend this kit if you’re an overclocking enthusiast who wants to test their memory with the Intel Core i7-14700K.
What Makes It The Best DDR4 RAM For i7-14700K?
The super-fast latency of 8.8ns with a frequency of 3,600MHz and CAS timings of 16-20-20-38 make the Corsair Vengeance RGB RT the best DDR4 RAM for the Intel Core i7-14700K. Furthermore, the fantastic RGB customization options and high-quality heatsink are other reasons that make it the best DDR4 RAM to pair with Intel’s latest processors.
| Performance: 7/10 | Value: 9/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Best RAM Kits For i7-14700K That Didn’t Make It
There were bound to be decent RAM kits that wouldn’t make our list for various reasons. Here are a few kits we encountered and tested that provide decent performance but don’t mark all the boxes:
- TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB 6,000MHz CL30: There are other competitor RAM kits that provide better overclocking headroom at a similar or lower price point.
- Lexar ARES RGB 6,400MHz CL32: The RAM kit’s taller heatsink reduces its clearance, making installation a hassle.
Performance Benchmarks For The Best RAM For i7-14700K
The performance of a RAM kit matters the most when considering which kit to purchase for a specific PC build. Therefore, we have showcased our testing results in the following graphs. Gaming performance, along with AIDA64 Engineer performance, has been incorporated for all the RAM modules we have selected for the article.
Important RAM Key Terms
- DIMM slots: DIMM slots are unique slots on the motherboard reserved for RAM modules. The number of DIMM slots on a motherboard showcases how many RAM modules you can fit. You should always place RAM in even numbers, such as 2 sticks for dual-channel and 4 sticks for quad-channel.
- RAM Capacity: The capacity of RAM shows how much data it can store, like a storage device. Generally, you need at least 8GB to 16GB for gaming, but video editors prefer 32GB and above.
- RAM Frequency: The RAM frequency is the speed at which the RAM and CPU communicate. The frequency is typically measured in Megahertz (MHz), and higher frequencies equate to faster communication.
- CAS Latency: Short for Column Address Strobe Latency, CAS latency is also referred to as CL timings and states the time it requires the RAM to make data available requested by the CPU. The lower the first value of the CL timings, the faster your data is processed.
- Voltage: The voltage showcases how much power the RAM takes. Lower voltages mean more efficiency and greater overclocking capabilities. However, the voltage will undisputedly increase when you attempt to increase the frequencies and decrease latencies.
- Heatsink: High-quality RAM modules have a heatsink or heat spreader to help quickly dissipate heat. Better cooling capabilities result in higher overclocking possibilities while keeping the temperatures in check.
How We Picked & Tested The Best RAM For i7-14700K?
There are several factors to consider before purchasing the perfect RAM for your PC. If you’re new, you will face difficulty buying RAM. Therefore, I have compiled a few factors to consider when choosing RAM for a specific use-case scenario. These factors are performance, overclocking, RAM clearance, and aesthetics.
- Performance: The first thing you’ll want to check is the performance of your selected RAM within your use case scenario. Because I was using an Intel Core i7-14700K, my main goal was to check whether the RAM enhanced the performance of the CPU or if it bottlenecked in any way. Moreover, you should also look into the frequencies, memory type, and latencies. Depending on your budget and requirements, you will have plenty of options.
- Overclocking: Another essential aspect is whether your selected RAM has good overclocking support. It would be best to look into the voltage requirements and whether the memory is compatible with Intel and AMD’s latest XMP and EXPO modes. If not, you might lose out on some performance. Most RAM modules I selected have fantastic overclocking capabilities, while others do not. However, if you’re an enthusiast, you should research this aspect more before purchasing.
- RAM Clearance: RAM clearance is an essential aspect for users utilizing an air cooler. Knowing how tall a RAM is and how much clearance your air cooler provides can make or break your purchase. You won’t have many problems using an AIO or fully liquid cooling your PC. The problem only arises for bigger air coolers. To counter that, I specifically chose RAM modules that aren’t highly tall and are only present in dual channels for easier installation.
- Aesthetics: Although not the most crucial criterion, looking into the aesthetics can be important for users building on a particular theme. Many gamers love RGB on their RAM products, while others love a unique and exotic design. Therefore, I looked for fully customizable RAM modules whose RGB can be switched off for a darker aesthetic to cover such a range of opinions. Also, most RAM products I have selected are available in black and white for users building on a specific color theme.
Looking For More RAM? Check Our Tested Round-Ups:
Frequently Asked Questions
The max non-XMP supported RAM speed of the Intel Core i7-14700K is 5,600MT/s. These speeds can be further increased by enabling XMP 3.0 and manual overclocking.
Yes. The Intel Core i7-14700K is an amazing gaming processor, making it viable for 1440p and 4K gaming.
Yes. The Intel Core i7-14700K supports DDR4 RAM running at a frequency of 3,600MHz.
The Intel Core i7-14700K loves DDR5 RAM with frequencies of 6,000MHz and above. The sweet spot lies between 6,600MHz and 7,200MHz.
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[Hardware Reviewer]
Awais Khan is a Tech Geek, conscientious, reliable, and hardworking individual who pays attention to detail with excellent time management skills. Alongside that, he is an expert in PC Hardware; dealing with Benchmarks, Analysis, and testing before sharing information with readers. Whenever free, Awais occasionally shares Gaming Videos on his YouTube Channel.
Get In Touch: awais@tech4gamers.com
