Intel’s flagship processor, the Core i9-13900K, is truly a beast, the CPU has enough raw power to obliterate its rivals completely. So, with a CPU this powerful, it is only fair to pair it with the best components out there. However, it can be hectic to find the right parts, especially if you’re looking for the best RAM for Core i9-13900K.
After all, there are lots of options out there, and since the 13th-Gen CPUs are backward compatible with DDR4 RAM, the plethora of variety only increases further. That’s why it is highly recommended that you go through our Best Motherboards For i9-13900K guide because selecting the motherboard will help you with your RAM search a lot.
Even with just DDR5 alone, you have many options available. You might be after the sheer performance or the beautiful aesthetics, or you might just want the best overall DDR5 RAM to go along with your i9-13900K. Well, in this guide, we will walk you through the different RAMs out in the market, we will discuss their specifications, performance, and their general pros and cons to help you make the right decision.
Let’s get started!
5 Best RAM For i9-13900K
Last update on 2023-05-27
To go along with your next PC build, these are our picks for the best RAM for Core i9-13900K:
- G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR5-6000
- G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR5-6600
- Corsair Vengeance RGB 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR5-6000
- Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR5-5200
- CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT 32 GB (2×16 GB) DDR4-3600
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5
Best Overall RAM For i9-13900K
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32 GB (2×16 GB) | Frequency: 6000 MHz | Latency: CL30 | RGB Lighting: No | Voltage: 1.35V
Pros
- Low CAS 30 latency.
- High 6000 MT/s transfer rates.
- Low profile height of 33mm.
Cons
- No RGB.
The Ripjaws line-up is known for its reliability and performance, and that’s why the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-6000 is awarded the Best Overall RAM for i9-13900K. The Ripjaws S5 nails the essential features that you would expect from a solid DDR5 RAM, and if you want a respectable memory performance without any risks of instability, then the Ripjaws S5 is the way to go.
For starters, the memory clocks at 6000 MHz with XMP 3.0 loaded, and while there are other G.Skill RAMs that have better transfer rates, the 6000 MHz figure creates the perfect balance between performance and stability. So, coupled with the 32 GB capacity, the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5 is perfect for you if you’re after the performance.
On top of that, it has a timing of CL30-40-40-96, which is kind of the sweet spot for a DDR5 RAM with 6000 MT/s of transfer rates. While you can further increase the clock speeds, it will not be worth it because not only will the latency increase, but the RAM will also require more voltage. Without any manual overclocking with just XMP 3.0 enabled from the BIOS, the RAM will take 1.35V to give you the CL30 and 6000 MHz figures.
While the 1.35V power input is more than what DDR5 RAMs come with out of the box, it is not too high that the RAM will suffer from stability issues, and that’s why we’ve labeled it the Best Overall RAM for i9-13900K because it strikes the perfect balance for the optimal performance and reliability.
In terms of aesthetics, you can get the kits in two colors, matte black and matte white, and both colors have a mature look to them with no RGB. Additionally, the Ripjaws S5 DDR5’s height is just 33mm, so its low-profile design is perfect if you’re planning to use a massive cooler on your i9-13900K.
What We Liked
There’s a lot to like about the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-6000. First of all, the memory can clock at 6000 MHz easily with its XMP 3.0 profile, and it achieves this number while maintaining a CAS latency of 30. Not only that, but the RAM is also low profile so it’s another point for being easy to plug in with rigs that use large CPU coolers or compact cases.
What We Disliked
There isn’t anything to dislike about this RAM. However, you might be discouraged to purchase it seeing its high price. The Ripjaws S5 DDR5 is definitely priced on the higher end of the spectrum, which somewhat makes sense seeing how expensive DDR5 kits in general are. Nevertheless, if you plan to buy the Ripjaws S5, then your wallet will take a hit. Another disappointing thing is that for the price, the RAM should have come with RGB.
Verdict
All things considered, if you’re not too worried about the budget restrictions and you are fine with having no RGB on your RAM, then the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 should be your choice of RAM for Core i9-13900K. It comes with 6000 MHz of clock speed which is the sweet spot, and the timing latency is also quite good enough. Overall, the RAM should give you the necessary performance to go along with the i9-13900K while also maintaining solid reliability.
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB
Best Performance RAM For i9-13900K
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32 GB (2×16 GB) | Frequency: 6600 MHz | Latency: CL34 | RGB Lighting: Yes | Voltage: 1.40V
Pros
- Incredibly high 6600 MT/s transfer rates.
- Low CAS 34 latency.
- Beautiful aesthetics and RGB.
Cons
- Expensive.
Another G.Skill DDR5 RAM to make it to our list is the Trident Z5 RGB and it’s here for its ultimate performance. If you want the best hardcore RAM to go with your i9-13900K, then the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB is for you. From clock speeds to timing latencies, it’s the perfect RAM in terms of sheer memory output.
After plugging in the two RAM sticks, all you need to do is enable XMP 3.0 from the BIOS and the Trident Z5 RGB will be clocking at 6600 MHz, which is quite insane to have such high-speed RAM without having to manually overclock it.
Not only that, but the timing latencies are respectably low as well with CAS latency staying at 34. Overall, the timing figures of Trident Z5 RGB are CL34-40-40-105 which also indicates that the RAM is most likely using an SK Hynix chip. So, a 32 GB of DDR5 RAM that can achieve 6000 MHz and CL34 without any manual overclocking is undoubtedly quite powerful.
Well, such impressive figures are achieved by consuming a lot of power, and the Trident Z5 RGB needs 1.40V once you enable the XMP 3.0, which is about 27% more power consumption than how much it needs out of the box.
Consequently, the memory sticks are going to generate lots of heat, and to counter that, G.Skill has incorporated an aluminum heat spreader on the RAM that not only lowers the thermals but also looks gorgeous. You can get the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB in two colors; matte black or metallic silver, and as the name suggests, there is a beautiful RGB light bar on the top of the stick, which adds to its aesthetics.
Depending on the motherboard, you can use ASUS AURA Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, or ASRock Polychrome Sync to customize the lighting effects.
What We Liked
The gaming performance alone of the Trident Z5 RGB is enough to make anyone fall in love with it, its ability to achieve 6600 MT/s by enabling XMP 3.0 while keeping the CAS latency as low as 34 is amazing. On top of that, the RAM also looks gorgeous with its RGB light bar floating on the top.
What We Disliked
We believe that it would have been even better if the RAM could have a lower input voltage with XMP 3.0. But, that seems basically impossible because it is also achieving such great performance figures. Also, the Trident Z5 RGB is quite expensive so it is nowhere near a budget DDR5 RAM.
Verdict
With that said, the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB is the best RAM for Core i9-13900K if you’re after performance and performance alone, which is probably what you’re looking for since you’re building an i9-13900K rig.
Even if you don’t want to manually overclock your RAM with voltage and timing configurations, you will still receive plenty of power from it just by enabling the XMP 3.0. Plus, the cherry on top is that the RAM sticks also look simply beautiful, especially if your rig has other RGB components.
CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB
Best White RAM For i9-13900K
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32 GB (2×16 GB) | Frequency: 6000 MHz | Latency: CL40 | RGB Lighting: Yes | Voltage: 1.35V
Pros
- Beautiful aesthetics.
- A solid 6000 MHz clock speed.
Cons
- High CL40 latency.
If you’re going for a white PC build, then you need the best-looking white RAM for Core i9-13900K. Yes, looks are subjective, but, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 will look gorgeous with your white PC case and cooler. On top of that, looks aren’t the only thing the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB is good at, it also packs a solid performance punch.
You can get the 32 GB dual DDR5 sticks to achieve 6000 MHz clock speed by enabling the XMP 3.0 profile from the BIOS, and just like we mentioned with the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5, a transfer rate of 6000 MT/s is the sweet spot to go along with a CPU as powerful as the Core i9-13900K.
However, one disappointing thing about the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB is that it has relatively higher timing latencies where the CAS latency is as high as 40. Overall, the 40-40-40-77 latency indicates that the RAM is probably using a Samsung memory chip. Unless you’re a hardcore gamer, the higher latency won’t bother you. But, it should still have been at least CL36 since the RAM is at 6000 MHz and not 6600 MHz or 6800 MHz.
Additionally, the memory also has a higher input voltage of 1.35V, which should have ranged between 1.2-1.3V based on its performance figures. Nevertheless, the 1.35V is not too bad either, and it is unlikely to cause any thermal throttling from excess heat. If you’re after manual overclocking, then you can save your custom XMP 3.0 profiles by using the CORSAIR iCUE software.
Focusing on the looks, the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB is truly the best, if not, one of the best, white DDR5 RAM out there. The huge VENGEANCE text right at the center surrounded with a white finish gives the memory stick a distinct look. Additionally, the RGB light bar going from one end to another at the top is like a cherry on top. From tons of pre-set lighting effects to your custom ones, you can get the RGB lighting to look like whatever you want from iCUE.
What We Liked
The best thing about the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 is its white looks, the RAM stick looks truly one of a kind in its white finish, and the RGB light bar only enhances its aesthetics. Another good thing about it is its 6000 MHz clock speed.
What We Disliked
The CAS latency is quite high at 40. Ideally, it should have been CL36 at max, but CL40 for RAM with 6000 MHz is not good. Similarly, the input voltage should have lower as well because the RAM is rated for 1.35V with XMP 3.0 enabled.
Verdict
If you’re building a white PC, then the CORSAIR VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 is your best white RAM for Core i9-13900K. The memory sticks look out of this world with their distinct design elements, and while the timing latencies and input voltage are not ideal, they are still good enough to go along with an i9-13900K.
Read the full article on highly related Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro Review.
Kingston FURY Beast
Best Value RAM For i9-13900K
Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32 GB (2×16 GB) | Frequency: 5200 MHz | Latency: CL36 | RGB Lighting: No | Voltage: 1.25V
Pros
- Affordable.
- Gives good value for the money
- Overclockable to 6000MHz
Cons
- No RGB.
If you’re on a budget and you want RAM that does all the work a DDR5 memory is supposed to do but does not cost a bank, then the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 32 GB is the best RAM for Core i9-13900K that offers the most value for money. It comes with the necessary performance figures to go along with a CPU as powerful as the i9-13900K, but it does not include any bells and whistles like RGB to cut costs.
On the topic of performance figures, by just enabling the XMP 3.0 profile, the 32 GB DDR5 memory will clock at 5200 MHz. Now you might think that 5200 MHz is not a lot, but, given its price it actually is quite a good deal. Not only that, but if you’re into manual overclocking, then you can easily take the RAM to reach 6000 MHz by tuning the right input voltage and timing latency. Check out our guide on How to Overclock RAM for more information.
Speaking of timing latency, it is also a good measure to see how well a RAM can perform. In fact, a RAM with high transfer rates and high timing latency will actually perform worse than a RAM with low transfer rates and low timing latency. So, the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 has a timing latency of 40-40-40 where the CAS latency is 40. Overall, latency figures are respectively good so it should perform quite well.
Going over the input voltage, the Kingston FURY Beast needs 1.25V once the AMD EXPO profile is enabled, which is understandable since the RAM does not have relatively higher transfer rates.
Similarly, the RAM stick looks exactly how you would expect a budget DDR5 RAM to look, with no RGB and focused on just the essentials. The RAM uses a low-profile black heat spreader with a big FURY logo on it to emphasize the gaming element. Since it is a low-profile RAM with a height of just 34.9mm, it has the advantage of easily being installed in rigs with huge CPU coolers or small chassis.
Related Read: Best Low-Profile CPU Coolers
What We Liked
The best thing about the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 is its price. For DDR5 RAM, the memory is impressively priced on the lower end of the price range. Additionally, it is also the best bang for the buck because you can get some serious performance from it after careful overclocking.
What We Disliked
There is nothing to dislike about the Kingston FURY Beast. But, it should be mentioned that its timing latency is only average. Yes, a CAS latency of 40 clocks is good enough, but, with a RAM that has a transfer rate of 5200 MT/s, it wouldn’t be surprising for the CAS latency to be at 36.
Verdict
All things considered, if you’re looking for affordable DDR5 RAM to go along with your Core i9-13900K, then the Kingston FURY Beast should be your choice. It offers solid performance in terms of both transfer rate and timing latency, and it does not cost a lot. Additionally, once you have the PC all set up, and you want more performance from it, it has the potential to go up to 6000 MT/s without running into stability issues.
Be sure to also check our guide on the BEST Budget PC Cases In 2023.
CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT DDR4
Best DDR4 RAM For i9-13900K
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 32 GB (2×16 GB) | Frequency: 3600 MHz | Latency: CL16 | RGB Lighting: Yes | Voltage: 1.35V
Pros
- Good latency.
- Affordable.
- RGB lighting.
Cons
- No significant disadvantage.
To finish off our list, we have the CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT DDR4, and if you don’t want the latest and greatest DDR5 RAM, then then the Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 is the best RAM for Core i9-13900K. Being a generator older, the memory will not hit your wallet as hard as DDR5 memory. Additionally, the performance figures are not bad either so you should still get a respectable performance out of it.
For instance, the 32 GB RAM can achieve a transfer rate of 3600 MT/s once you enable XMP 2.0 from the BIOS. While 3600 MT/s looks quite low after going through the other much higher DDR5 RAM, it is actually just enough to get you through the day. Nevertheless, it should be kept in mind that for a chip as powerful as the i9-13900K, DDR5 memory is the best RAM for it, so, if you’re after the performance numbers then you should only go with that. But, if you are fine with what DDR4 has to offer, then the Vengeance RGB RT is your best bet.
As we mentioned earlier, a good timing latency can make or break a RAM’s performance, and CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 absolutely nails it in this department with its 16-20-20-38 latency where the CAS latency is just 16. That’s why we have picked this particular RAM as the best for Core i9-13900K because despite being DDR4 because it can still perform respectably well.
One of the improvements that DDR5 brings over DDR4 is that it needs lower input voltage. So, it comes as no surprise that the Vengeance RGB RT needs 1.35V once the XMP 2.0 profile is enabled. While the 1.35V might be higher for DDR5 standards, it’s actually good in terms of DDR4 memory.
The heat spreader is made from anodized aluminum and has a dual-tone finish for gaming aesthetics. Talking about gaming aesthetics, the RAM sticks look as gamer-ish as possible, with huge a VENGEANCE logo at the center and a panoramic RGB light bar that covers the entire top of the stick. Just like other CORSAIR RGB components, you can use the iCUE software to customize the lighting effects.
What We Liked
The best thing about the CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 is its timing latency. Yes, the 3600 MHz frequency is also good as far as DDR4 memory goes, but having a CAS latency of 16 gives it the necessary performance boost to go along with an i9-13900K. Additionally, it is also priced relatively better when compared to other DDR4 RAM.
What We Disliked
There isn’t anything, in particular, to dislike about the Vengeance RGB RT. For its price, the memory nails every aspect of being the best RAM for Core i9-13900K.
Verdict
Overall, if you’re adamant about getting a DDR4 memory, then the CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT DDR4 should be your RAM of choice. It packs just enough power to work together with the flagship processor, and you will not end up spending a ton of money on memory alone. On top of everything, the RAM sticks also look beautiful with the RGB lighting on them.
Which RAM Should You Go For With i9-13900K: DDR4 or DDR5?
Seeing how well the Core i9-13900K performs, you wouldn’t want to compromise on memory performance or anywhere else if you’re going with the flagship processor. Even though the i9-13900K can easily work with DDR4 memory, would it be the right decision to pair the CPU up with DDR4 RAM? or would you be doing injustice to such a power-house CPU?
To best learn the answer to these questions, we need to go over how many improvements the DDR5 RAM brings. For the full in-depth comparison, make sure to read our DDR4 Vs. DDR5 RAM battle.
The Core i9-13900K comes with whopping 24 cores, so, you need the RAM with the best possible memory bandwidth to go along with such a beast CPU, and while the DDR4 RAM can go up to 3200 MHz out of the box, it is nowhere near DDR5 RAM which can easily go to 6400 MHz. For perspective, the DDR4 RAM starts at 1600 MHz whereas the DDR5 RAM starts at 4800 MHz, which is more than where the DDR4 maxes out.
It is true that you can take the DDR4 RAM to cross the 4000 MHz figure with XMP overclocking, but, you can also take the DDR5 RAM to cross the 8000 MHz barrier. The point is when it comes to sheer bandwidth, the DDR5 memory is a huge upgrade.
In terms of power and thermals, the DDR5 is rated to draw 1.1V while the DDR4 took 1.2V. Now, you would think that the lower voltage means better power consumption and thermal efficiency right? Well, that’s likely not going to be the case because most manufacturers are going to cross the 1.1V figure, and since the DDR5 memory chips are relatively dense, they will run hotter than DDR4. So, be sure to have good heat sinks before you plug in the latest DDR5 RAM. For more information on thermal efficiency, check out our guide on the Best CPU Coolers For i9-13900K.
The maximum capacity of a single RAM stick has also been bumped up as we moved on to DDR5 from DDR4. While a single DDR4 RAM had a maximum capacity of 16 GB, DDR5 RAM can support 64 GB in one stick.
In a nutshell, the DDR5 RAM packs more power than the DDR4 RAM, and since you’re building a PC with an i9-13900K as its brain, you should definitely go with the latest and greatest RAM to complement the CPU’s high performance.
How We Selected These RAM
We at Tech4Gamers follow strict guidelines in preparing our buying guides. Similarly, in picking the best RAM for Core i9-13900K, we considered many factors so our selected products are the absolute best for our users. Make sure you go through these factors before buying RAM.
Budget and Affordability
Let’s face it, an i9-13900K build is not going to come cheap, the processor alone is one of the most expensive CPUs out there. On top of that, the components to pair it with are also going to be high-end, including the motherboard, cooler, GPU, and PSU. So, it is understandable if you’re prepared to spend a good amount of money to get the best RAM for your i9-13900K.
But, that doesn’t mean that we will completely skip the pricing factor. It is still an important feature and can sway your decision in favor of or against a particular RAM. So, our picks for the Best i9-13900K Ram rely heavily on their pricing and how much value will they provide for the money.
Transfer Rate and Timing Latency
The most crucial and integral factor to consider when selecting the best RAM is the performance and the latency figures. You might think that the frequency or the transfer rate is the only thing that determines how well a RAM will perform, for example, RAM with 6000 MT/s is capable of doing 6000 million transfers per second. So, the higher the transfer rate, the better the RAM.
But, that is not the only thing that determines a memory’s performance, its timing latency plays an equally important role as well. To put it simply, timing latency tells us how long the RAM chip will wait in between operations, and the more the waiting time, the slower the RAM is. So, a high-performing RAM will always have low timing latency.
Basically, there are four types of timing latency, and all four are written together with a dash to separate them, for example, the timing latency of the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB (Best Performance RAM for Core i9-13900K) is CL34-40-40-105. Here, these four numbers indicate four different latencies and the most important among them is the first one, which is the CAS Latency.
The Column Address Strobe Latency or CAS Latency (CL) tells us how many clock cycles the RAM will wait for before delivering the data. So, the Trident Z5 RGB will delay 34 clock cycles to deliver the requested data.
Similarly, the other three numbers also indicate different latencies, and all of them affect your RAM’s performance. So, as a general rule of thumb, the RAM with higher transfer rates and lower timing latency is the best one to go for.
Power Consumption and Thermal Efficiency
One of the many advantages that DDR5 has over DDR4 is that it needs lower input voltage. But, to push out memory transfer rates as high as 6000 MT/s or more, the manufacturers are going to increase the voltage as well, which consequently generates more heat.
So, when selecting the best RAM, we had to consider which RAM has managed to achieve good performance without increasing the input voltage too much, because it not only ensures high stability and reliability, but also leaves more room for overclocking as you can increase the voltage according to your needs and get the desired performance.
Similarly, we also needed to consider the type of heat spreader the memories are equipped with. While most popular RAM manufacturers are going to use high-quality heat spreaders to ensure optimal temperatures, it is still important to recheck their quality to ensure that your memory will not thermal throttle in the future.
Aesthetics and Build Quality
While looks aren’t as essential as other factors, they can still influence your decision a lot. For instance, you’re likely to go for a memory that comes with beautiful RGB instead of one that looks bland. After all, who doesn’t like a fully lightened-up gaming PC that has as much RGB as possible?
However, what’s even more important is the build quality of the RAM. Thankfully, the majority of the DDR5 memories are built with keeping longevity in mind, so they are less prone to damage from humidity and dust.
Compatibility
Last but not least, RAM compatibility matters a lot as well, and since we are telling you about the best RAM for Core i9-13900K, we had to select the ones that we think are best suited for a CPU as powerful as the flagship of the Raptor Lake line-up.
So, our picked memories are meant to give you the best possible performance when they’re paired with the i9-13900K and have the XMP profile enabled from BIOS. Another compatibility factor that we considered was the height of the RAM sticks. For instance, if you’re using big CPU coolers or compact cases, then you should go with something like the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5 which has a low-profile design.
Related Read: Can You Mix RAM Brands, Sticks, & Types?
Why You Should Trust Us
For over 12 years, the team behind Tech4Gamers has worked in the gaming and technology industry. What started as a platform for a bunch of tech enthusiasts who loved to share their passion for different gadgets has now transformed into a full-blown technology website that covers all topics related to gaming and technology.
From bringing the most authentic news as soon as possible to writing helpful guides revolving around tech, from reviewing different products to help you make the right decision to comparing the latest hardware to determine which one is better, our content is based solely on extensive research and is written through an objective point of view.
That’s why our content has been featured many times by brands like ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and DeepCool. In addition to that, we also regularly review different product samples from hardware manufacturers including but not limited to Noctua, Thermaltake, and Xigmatek. Our hardware experts go through every nook and cranny of the review samples and write in-depth reviews while keeping an unbiased perspective for the utmost authenticity.
As a result of our hard work, Tech4Gamers has become the go-to website for many gamers around the globe who are looking to upgrade, build, or modify their computers.
For example, in the Best RAM for Core i9-13900K guide, we have examined the selected products thoroughly and talked about their pros and cons based on their specifications and category so you know exactly what you’re looking at.
Similarly, the products are selected on the basis of strict criteria which we have discussed above. All in all, we hope that our guide will help you in building your dream Core i9-13900K PC.
FAQs
Yes, DDR5 RAM is much faster than the previous-gen DDR4 RAM. It comes with higher frequency, lower latency, and it also needs a lower input voltage. So, for an i9-13900K, DDR5 RAM will prove to be much faster than DDR4.
While DDR5 RAM can range anywhere between 4800 MT/s to 6600 MT/s or more, the memory transfer rate of 6000 MT/s seems to be the perfect spot for an i9-13900K. It is true that anything below 6000 MT/s like 5600 MT/s is also good enough, anything above it is just overkill.
The Core i9-13900K has a maximum memory capacity of 128 GB, which is way more than what anybody is ever going to need for high-end gaming. That’s why the RAM kits we have selected are all 32 GB (2x 16 GB).
Yes, just like the Alder Lake CPUs, the entire Raptor Lake line-up (including the flagship i9-13900K) is backward compatible with DDR4 RAM. So, you can plug in a DDR4 stick with an i9-13900K without any hiccups. Furthermore, we think that the best DDR4 RAM to go with the i9-13900K is the CORSAIR Vengeance RGB RT DDR4.
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