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“Gabe Will Announce Half-Life 3 At TGA 2024”, Says Former Apple Employee

Story Highlight
  • Valve is rumored to announce the much-anticipated Half-Life 3 at TGA 2024. 
  • Gabe could be present at the show himself to announce the sequel after 20 years.
  • This is strictly a rumor for now, so take it with a grain of salt. 

Half-Life 3 rumors have been circulating on the internet for a few months. Half-Life 2 was released in 2004, marking 20 years since the last mainline entry in the franchise. However, a new rumor points toward a Half-Life 3 announcement at The Game Awards Tonight. 

Why it matters: Fans have been patiently waiting for Valve to finally make a move and announce something regarding a new Half-Life game. It seems like today could be the ideal time for it. 

Former Apple employee teases Half-Life 3 at TGA

A former Apple Employee, Nima Zeighmai, took to X to state that he had heard that Valve might announce Half-Life 3 at TGA. He says he heard it directly from someone who is very well-connected with the gaming industry. 

He further stated that he was told Gabe would personally be there to announce the sequel. However, the source isn’t someone who directly works at Valve, so he is cryptic about the news and cautions others, too. 

It’s been 20 years since the last Half-Life game released

Various high-profile industry insiders and journalists have hyped this year’s TGA to be full of surprises. While the Half-Life 3 announcement might be a little far-fetched, considering that Half-Life 2 recently got a new life, this could be the perfect announcement time. 

But, again, take this news with a grain of salt. We will find out in a few hours if the game is indeed planned for an announcement. Nonetheless, TGA seems to be a festive affair this year, and we can’t wait for it. 

Do you think Valve will finally announce the much-anticipated Half-Life 3 at TGA today? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum

NVIDIA Now Has 90% of Global GPU Market Share, Highest In Its History

Story Highlight
  • NVIDIA left AMD struggling at 10% and Intel with negligible GPU sales in Q3-2024.
  • Overall, GPU sales decreased by 7.9% year-over-year in Q3 2024, a significant drop of 14.5% compared to the previous quarter.
  • AMD faces a critical challenge in regaining market share and avoiding further decline, while Intel’s GPU efforts remain insignificant.

We already have new trend data regarding market share and sales for the big three gaming graphics card companies, and the data is not good for users. Why? A monopoly is never good; in this case, two of the three players are in a complex crisis; in fact, they are at a point of no return.

NVIDIA leads GPU sales in Q3 2024 with an iron fist, achieving the highest share in the last 22 years and one of the largest in its history.

Data from Jon Peddie Research (JPR) shows a clear trend in the same period since last year and how AMD is not convincing users. At the same time, Intel has not only not taken off, but it does not even really exist in terms of shipments and sales.

The new generation of RX 8000 and RTX 50 GPUs could be the end of the blues in a hyper-competitive market and, at the same time, the beginning of AMD’s total decline, given recent leaks about new RTX 5080 and RTX 5090.

NVIDIA GPU Sales Destroying AMD And Intel In Q3 2024

NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPU Market Share As of Q3-2024
NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPU Market Share As of Q3-2024

AMD is struggling to get back on its feet and is right to focus on mid-high and mid-range gaming graphics cards because it runs the risk of leaving the sector in 2025 if this trend continues.

After buying ATI in 2006, the Red Camp has not stopped losing market share, which was consummated against NVIDIA with the launch of the Radeon X1000. This was the beginning of the decline in 2005 that will continue 20 years later, already worse.

The latest JPR report shows that AMD has lost another 2% share to NVIDIA and is now at an alarming 10% of sales. NVIDIA takes the remaining 90% because Intel sells only a few thousand graphics cards worldwide.

This shows that NVIDIA has a dominant position of power like never before in its history since it was founded, and it is not something they have earned. Therefore, as Intel is doing with Battlemage, AMD has to react aggressively if they want to compete against the green giant with the RX 8000.

Bad Time For General Sales of Gaming GPUs

GPUs Shipments As of Q3-2024
GPUs Shipments As of Q3-2024

The graph above is already descriptive in itself, but let’s look at the key data to understand the current situation in the sector. No less than 8.1 million graphics cards were sold in this last quarter, which seems like a lot but represents a 7.9% year-on-year drop, that is, compared to the same period last year.

What has happened quarter after quarter? Even worse. We are talking about an impressive drop of 14.5%, which can be explained by the fact that players are waiting for the new graphics from one company or another. Normally, this pre-holiday period is a reason for sales, but this is not the case.

What will happen in the future? JPR believes that if Trump imposes famous tariffs on everything not manufactured outside of China, the trend will be alarming because there will be no more salary increases planned for employees due to the weak global economic situation.

Therefore, the forecasts are very low for GPU sales for the next two years, which does not mean that they will improve with each architecture launch for their respective companies, but after that…

Tough times are coming for Intel and AMD, surely less so for NVIDIA for dominating GPU sales with solvency in Q3-2024. What’s your thought on this Green camp dominance? Share your thoughts in the comment sections below. 

Over A Month After Release, AMD Is “Working Diligently” To Fix The 9800X3D’s Scalping Problem

With its release on November 7th, 2024, it has been over a month since the Ryzen 7 9800X3D started suffering from scalping problems. It has gotten to the point where the CPU is being sold for north of $800 at the time of writing, and during the first couple of weeks after its launch, the processor was actually selling for more than $1000.

Well, now AMD has come forward with a statement about fixing this issue, but to be honest, it is not that convincing. 

AMD Is “Working Diligently”

In a statement to Tom’s Hardware, AMD is shipping out more 9800X3Ds every week and hopes to iron out the availability problems by the end of the quarter, saying:

We are working diligently to get as much supply to market as soon as possible, with more processors being shipped every week. We expect availability to get better as shipments ramp throughout the quarter

Come on, AMD, you’re just stating the obvious here. While we appreciate the 9800X3D, this announcement doesn’t offer anything new. Sure, if someone can’t wait to get their hands on the 9800X3D, they might try checking local retailers like Micro Center, Best Buy, or Walmart. With a bit of luck, they might even find it at a better price—but that’s about all there is to say.

Predicting that availability will improve by the end of the quarter isn’t exactly surprising. It’s only a matter of time before supply chain issues are resolved and the processor becomes widely available. With CES 2025 just a month away, bringing expected announcements for the 9950X3D and the RTX 50-series GPUs, it’s clear the current 9800X3D craze will eventually fade.

The 9800X3D’s Success Is Exactly What AMD Needed

The Ryzen 9000 series CPUs had a lackluster launch, as most of us already know. These processors didn’t deliver a noticeable improvement over the previous generation, largely because their focus on efficiency held them back. That’s also why prices began dropping so soon after they hit the market. In our reviews of the whole lineup—Ryzen 9950X, 9900X, 9700X, and 9600X—we pointed out the same issue: there’s virtually no improvement in gaming performance

As such, it comes as no surprise that AMD really wanted a massive launch before entering 2025, and that’s where its crown jewel enters, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.

Given the exceptional performance and fame of the 7800X3D, it was expected that the 9800X3D would be a chart-topper, and all of our test results showed that the processor is undoubtedly the best for gaming right now. However, AMD also made great improvements in the productivity department, which was one key area where the 7800X3D lacked the most. Along with that, the 9800X3D is equipped with an unlocked multiplier, meaning overclocking is now finally possible in an X3D chip.

All of these highlights brought the 9800X3D to its fame, which subsequently caused scalping issues with the processor, which now sells twice the price at third-party retailers.

Ryzen 7 9800X3D listing on Walmart @ 895 USD
Ryzen 7 9800X3D listing on Walmart @ 895 USD

Take a look at this listing. I took this screenshot at the time of writing, and Walmart is the only retailer that has the 9800X3D listed (although with only 1 unit left). As for Amazon and Newegg, the CPU is still out of stock. 

Just A Bit More Wait

If you’re looking for a gaming processor that delivers top-tier performance, it might be worth waiting a few more weeks. The 9800X3D’s scalping issues have already eased, with prices dropping from over $1,000 to a more reasonable range of $600 to $800. As the holiday season approaches and AMD ramps up shipments, availability is expected to improve at major retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and others.

However, if you can’t wait and want to build a setup right now, I would highly recommend that you check out the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. It is the second-most capable CPU on the market in terms of gaming, and it is readily available as well. Plus, if you pair it with the right GPU, it will be very hard to differentiate it from the 9800X3D at high resolutions.

PS5 Has Raw Power To Easily Emulate PS3 Games, Reveals New Test

Story Highlight
  • Fans have been waiting for PS3 backward compatibility for PS5 for a very long time.
  • A recent test suggests that the PlayStation 5 hardware can easily emulate PlayStation 3 games. 
  • While many leaks in the past claim that Sony is working on PS3 backward compatibility, nothing has been announced yet. 

While backward compatibility with the PS3 remains one of the most demanded features for the PS5, Sony has never officially discussed it.

Although the PS5 supports almost all PS4 titles, fans have been waiting for PS3 backward compatibility for a very long time. While many thought that the console might not be capable of emulating PlayStation 3 games, a recent test suggests that it is more than capable of it.

Why it matters: Sony has ignored the fans’ demand for a very long time, and this is one of the features where Xbox takes the lead, as almost every Xbox One game is completely compatible with the Xbox Series S|X.

Recently, YouTuber Lowest Logan released a new video showing PlayStation 3 Games running on the PlayStation 5 base model. 

The Youtuber used an AMD BC-25, a mining card featuring the PlayStation 5 silicon, which failed to meet the console’s full requirements. The card had some hardware limitations, as two of the CPU cores were disabled, and out of 32 compute units, only 24 were available. 

Despite all these limitations, PlayStation 3 games ran smoothly through the RPCS3 emulator. 

Sony PlayStation 3
Sony PlayStation 3 Library Has Some of The Best Games Ever Released

The Youtuber ran Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Little Big Planet on the card, and both games ran well at native and even higher resolutions while also giving decent framerates. 

It should also be noted that the actual PlayStation 5 hardware is much more capable than the tested one, as it has many hardware limitations.

While many recent reports have suggested that Sony is looking for ways to make PS3 backwards compatible with PS5, the company has not officially disclosed this.

What do you think about this? Do you think it’s because of the hardware limitations, or Sony isnt interested? Let us know your opinions in the comments, or be a part of Tech4Gamer’s official forum

The First Berserker: Khazan Release Date Leaked Ahead of Official Announcement

Story Highlight
  • Accredited insider Billbil_kun has revealed The First Berserker: Khazan’s release date before its official reveal.
  • The entry is set to launch on March 27, 2025, which aligns with rumors that also suggested an early 2025 release window.
  • The single-player action RPG is set in the DNF universe and will come out on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.

The First Berserker: Khazan has stood out as one of those unique games that gain fame as soon as they are revealed. It is a spin-off of Dungeon Fighter Online, set in the same universe, but takes a completely different approach to gameplay. 

Now, one of the most acclaimed insiders in the gaming scene, Billbil_kun, has leaked the release date for The First Berserker: Khazan ahead of its official announcement in The Game Awards show.

Why it matters: The leaked First Berserker: Khazan release date confirms the earlier rumors that we will get the game during the early 2025 window. 

The First Berserker Khazan Release Date
The First Berserker Khazan’s Release Date Has Been Leaked

In a new Dealabs blog, Billbil_kun has revealed that The First Berserker: Khazan will be released on March 27, 2025. The claim is quite believable, as previous rumors also pointed toward an early launch window in 2025

The insider also confirmed that the game’s pre-order period will start right after the release date is officially announced during the TGA 2024 event.

A physical edition of the game will also be available on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. However, the price of all editions will be the usual $59 threshold.

The hardcore single-player action RPG features DNF's frantic hack and slash style combat.
The hardcore single-player RPG features DNF’s frantic hack-and-slash style combat.

All in all, user reception for this game has been highly positive since its announcement. 

Do you think the new RPG will preserve the legacy of the DNF series, or will it end up being lost in the sea of upcoming releases? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.

GameMax Launches Efficient And High-Quality GS SFX Gold PSUs

[Press Release] GameMax has proudly announced its latest power supply lineup, the GS SFX Gold series. This lineup offers native 12V-2×6 connector support and ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 compliance.

Users can also choose between 650W, 750W, and 850W models, all of which are available in black and white.

GameMax GS SFX
The low-noise Hydraulic Bearing Fan Promises Greater Longevity

GameMax’s latest power supplies use a DC-DC topology for high performance and efficiency. Moreover, extra care has been taken to ensure maximum efficiency for the +12V rail.

On the subject of efficiency, GameMax boasts 90% conversion efficiency and high-quality Japanese capacitors that provide stable power. The GS SFX Gold series can also operate silently at under 20% load.

With all of this and much more, the power supply lineup is now available for purchase with a 5-year warranty. The 650W model starts at $114.29, and the 850W model can be purchased starting from $140.99. For more information, follow this link to the official product page.

Kadokawa Optimistic About Buyout As It Wants To Be Under Sony Leadership

Story Highlight
  • A certain number of Kadokawa employees are optimistic about the Sony buyout because they want to be under its leadership.
  • The employees also believe that Sony would get rid of the current president of the conglomerate after the buyout.
  • They are unsatisfied with the current leadership and think the acquisition of Sony is quite thrilling.

After the massive Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard saga, the gaming industry is now facing another gargantuan merger. Rumors began a couple of weeks ago that suggested Sony was in talks with FromSoftware parent company Kadokawa for a buyout.

These were confirmed later on, causing a wave of extremely split reactions from the community and various analysts. However, it appears that a certain number of Kadokawa employees are quite thrilled about the merger with Sony instead of being wary—something that no one expected.

Why it matters: The reaction of the Kadokawa employees to the acquisition of Sony suggests that it will face little resistance from within both conglomerates. However, the antitrust regulators might still stop the buyout from happening.

There have been mixed reactions to the Sony Kadokawa acquistions by the gaming industry.
There have been mixed reactions to the Sony Kadokawa acquisitions by the gaming industry.

Speaking in an interview with Automaton, economic analyst Takahiro Suzuki clarified that a certain number of Kadokawa employees want to be under Sony’s leadership. They are seemingly unsatisfied with the Natsuno administration and believe that Sony would lead them better.

The people around me are thrilled at the prospect of an acquisition by Sony. […] They expect that if Sony were to acquire the company, they would get rid of the president first.

The current Kadokawa president and CEO, Takeshi Natsuno, saw a lot of criticism after responding inappropriately to the cyberattack earlier this year. The fueled discontent after the crisis has made veteran Kadokawa employees want Sony’s leadership.

Elden Ring
Some analysts are quite positive about the buyout, calling it the ‘best deal Sony can make.’

All in all, the entertainment and gaming sectors have seen a lot of activity regarding the buyout, with Sony stocks reaching an all-time high in Japan after 24 years. Similarly, Kadokawa shares also surged by a wide margin after the rumors began.

Do you think FromSoftware and other Kadokawa subsidiaries will thrive under Sony’s leadership, or will this merger do more harm than good? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, or join the discussion on the official Tech4Gamers forum.

Why Gamers Must Understand Data Privacy Policies

Story Highlight
  • More and more data is being collected through different games and applications today.
  • This makes it essential to understand the circumstances under which data can be collected and misused.
  • Gamers should also recognize their rights over the data to avoid dangerous situations.

Gaming is bigger than ever and continues to gain popularity at an exponential rate. This also means that companies have more access to data than in the past. This data is often sensitive in nature and can be easily misused if it falls into the wrong hands.

Therefore, gamers must ensure they take adequate steps to safeguard their data from public exposure, which can only happen if they understand the data privacy policy.

Why it matters: Whether it be for casual fun or to find employment, more and more people are gravitating toward the industry.

What To Look For

VPN
One Must Recognize How Data Is Collected In Different Ways

Here are a few things to look out for when trying to understand such policies.

Data Collection And Storage

Privacy policies will often clearly state the type of data they collect. This can include your name, age, contacts, and IP address. Certain games also track in-game interactions and playtime.

Data Usage

The policy should contain information on how the player’s data is to be used. While many resort to the generic purpose of improving player experience, certain companies can also use the data for research and development.

Data Sharing

Because data is often lent to third-party companies and advertisers, the privacy policy typically informs users how their data will be shared and with whom. It can even be shared with other developers.

Data Security

The best privacy policies outline how data is secured, including methods like encryptions and regular data audits.

What Rights Gamers Have

Importance Of VPN
Users Need To Know That They Aren’t Completely Helpless

Since data is very easy to misuse, laws have been established to protect consumers. These laws give customers multiple rights over their data.

Access And Deletion

In most cases, users can request access to their data. They can also ask for deletion, though this process may not be the same every time. If nothing works, certain removal services can help you get rid of stored data.

Correct Information

If companies have existing data with errors, users are well within their rights to request modifications. This helps prevent the spread of misinformation.

Limit Data Sharing

Certain games provide more control over the data you share. This can be used to avoid in-game ads of certain types, among other things.

Risks of Data Misuse

Data Collection And Privacy Policies
Data Can Be Easily Misused

Data misuse risks can translate from the virtual to the real world faster than you can imagine, especially when private information such as names, addresses, phone numbers, or locations is made public.

Cyberattacks can lead to doxxing, which means all information is public, more often than not, without consent. This can expose users to identity theft or real-life risks such as break-ins and stalking.

It also makes that person vulnerable to all kinds of pranks, which can escalate. These kinds of risks are an everyday concern as they can escalate in seconds.

Conclusion

As gaming continues to become a more prominent part of everyday lives, so do its risks. Whether you are a professional gamer or simply want to have fun, your data is important and needs to be safeguarded.

Companies need your information to either improve the game and experience or sell the data to third-party advertisers.

Gamers should inform themselves about how their data is collected and stored, where it is used, and whether it is being shared. Players should take time to understand what they can do to prevent risks such as misuse of the data or doxxing.

Taking proactive steps such as understanding privacy policy, understanding rights, and analyzing databases can make gaming safer and more enjoyable.

PlayStation Facing No Threat Of Users Switching To PC, Says Sony

Story Highlight
  • Sony does not find PC gaming a threat to PlayStation.
  • The gaming giant is currently satisfied with the number of PS4 users switching to the PS5.
  • This console has sold north of 65 million units in the past four years.

PlayStation has become increasingly familiar with the PC gaming market over the years. Following major releases like Ghost of Tsushima and Horizon Forbidden West, Spider-Man 2 is headed to the platform next month, and the gaming giant has shown no signs of slowing down.

This focus has also sparked discussions about PlayStation potentially losing customers to the PC market. However, Sony argues that it has yet to see a trend of losing customers.

Why it matters: With all major exclusives eventually arriving on PC, gamers have found little reason to stick with their consoles.

PlayStation Remasters
Most of PlayStation’s Biggest IPs Are Available On Steam Now

This topic was brought up during Sony’s latest shareholders Q&A last month when the gaming giant outlined that users are consistently upgrading from the PS4 to the PS5.

Addressing the subject of PlayStation missing out on potential PS5 sales due to users picking PC gaming, CFO Hiroki Totoki expressed no concerns and outlined that the PC focus is not a threat to the current business model.

We didn’t confirm any such trends at the time, nor do we see it as a major risk.

-Hiroki Totoki

Steam Recommendations Best Part PC Gaming
Steam Is Growing Each Year And Setting New Records

Interestingly, Hermen Hulst made a similar comment when discussing the PC strategy. He noted that the main intention is to entice gamers to buy consoles through flagship IPs. Elsewhere, Mark Cerny also noted that both markets are fundamentally different.

All in all, it seems PlayStation is still confident about its approach and is under no pressure. Even with its current focus, the PS5 has sold over 65 million units, setting the stage for similar success as the PS4.

What are your thoughts on this statement? Let us know in the comments, and join the Tech4Gamers Forums for further discussions.

RTX 4060 Performs Worse Than RTX 3060 in Indiana Jones Due To VRAM Limitation

Story Highlight
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle runs better on the RTX 3060 compared to RTX 4060.
  • The major reason for the performance difference is the VRAM limitation.
  • This makes the RTX 3060 a solid option and a relevant purchase in 2024.

It comes as no surprise to anyone that at least 12GB of VRAM has become the default in 2024. Most AAA titles with high textures and graphical fidelity eat up much more than the measly 8GB VRAM found in the Geforce RTX 4060.

Testing has revealed that in Indiana Jones and The Great Circle with ray tracing, the RTX 4060 falls even behind the RTX 3060 by a considerable margin. 

Why it matters: Since its release, the RTX 4060 has been considered an underwhelming graphics card due to its VRAM limitation, poor ray tracing capabilities, and disappointing performance.

RTX 3060 performs better in Indiana Jones than RTX 4060.

PCGamer Hardware‘s testing has revealed that Indiana Jones and the Great Circle at 1080p with ray tracing, max textures, and TAA, gives around 25FPS on the RTX 4060. In contrast, the RTX 3060 manages around 57 FPS at the same settings.

This is a huge performance difference that can significantly change the gaming experience. Now, the RTX 4060 does have a few tricks up its sleeve that make it more relevant in 2024, including the newer DLSS version and frame generation.

However, frame generation utilizes more VRAM, which is already limited in 4060. So, based on raw power, despite being a couple of years older than the former, the RTX 3060 is still a better choice for most users.

The RTX 3060 is still a great value in 2024.

While none of these GPUs are meant for 1440p, the resolution does follow a similar trend. RTX 4060 manages to hit 23FPS, while the RTX 3060 manages a respectable 40FPS for a more console-like experience.

Therefore, to nobody’s surprise, the RTX 3060 remains a great value. Even years after its launch, it is still the most popular GPU on Steam and could remain relevant for at least a few more years. 

What do you think about RTX 3060 performing better than its successor in Indiana Jones? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

Our Best DDR5 RAM Round-Up [30+ Compared And Tested]

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 2025.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Nauman Siddique is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, motherboards, RAM, processors, and AIOs for more than a decade.
  • 70+ RAM tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 200+ hours spent testing different RAM for our reviews.
  • Objective testing criteria (See how we test RAM).

At Tech4Gamers, ensuring you get reliable information is our priority. That’s why every hardware round-up undergoes a meticulous review process by our team of experts and editors. Each review is carefully examined against our strict editorial guidelines, guaranteeing you trustworthy insights you can depend on.

In this comparison table, you’ll find our recommendations for the top DDR5 RAM kits:

RAM
XPG Lancer ROG 6600MHz CL32
XPG Lancer RGB 7200MHz CL34
TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem 8000MHz CL38
G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 6000MHz CL30
Looks
XPG Lancer ROG DDR5 6600MT/s 32GB (2x16GB) CL32 UDIMM 288-Pins Desktop SDRAM DDR5 Dual Channel RAM Kit Heatsink (AX5U6600C3216G-DCLARROG)
XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 7200MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL34 UDIMM 288-Pins Desktop SDRAM DDR5 Dual Channel RAM Kit Black Heatsink (AX5U7200C3416G-DCLARBK)
TEAMGROUP T-Force XTREEM DDR5 Ram 32GB (2x16GB) 8000MHz PC5-64000 CL38 A-DIE Desktop Memory Module Ram for Intel XMP 3.0 & AMD Expo Compatible Black FFXD532G8000HC38DDC01
G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series DDR5 RAM (Intel XMP 3.0) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL30-40-40-96 1.35V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Matte Black (F5-6000J3040F16GX2-RS5K)
Award
Best Overall DDR5 RAM
Best Performance DDR5 RAM
Best Premium Performance DDR5 RAM
Best Value DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Excellent performance, Beautiful design featuring RGB, Support for AMD and Intel
Superb design, Reasonable value
Exceptional stock performance, Understated design
Good speed, Tight CL timings, Low profile design
What We Disliked
Slightly pricier
Tall heat spreaders
No RGB lighting
Only optimized for Intel, so Flare X5 is recommended for EXPO
Frequency
6600 MHz
7200 MHz
8000 MHz
6000 MHz
CAS Latency
CL32
CL34
CL38
CL30
Latency (ns)
9.69ns
9.44
9.5ns
10ns
Input Voltage
1.40V
1.40V
1.45V
1.35V
RAM
XPG Lancer ROG 6600MHz CL32
Looks
XPG Lancer ROG DDR5 6600MT/s 32GB (2x16GB) CL32 UDIMM 288-Pins Desktop SDRAM DDR5 Dual Channel RAM Kit Heatsink (AX5U6600C3216G-DCLARROG)
Award
Best Overall DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Excellent performance, Beautiful design featuring RGB, Support for AMD and Intel
What We Disliked
Slightly pricier
Frequency
6600 MHz
CAS Latency
CL32
Latency (ns)
9.69ns
Input Voltage
1.40V
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
XPG Lancer RGB 7200MHz CL34
Looks
XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 7200MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL34 UDIMM 288-Pins Desktop SDRAM DDR5 Dual Channel RAM Kit Black Heatsink (AX5U7200C3416G-DCLARBK)
Award
Best Performance DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Superb design, Reasonable value
What We Disliked
Tall heat spreaders
Frequency
7200 MHz
CAS Latency
CL34
Latency (ns)
9.44
Input Voltage
1.40V
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem 8000MHz CL38
Looks
TEAMGROUP T-Force XTREEM DDR5 Ram 32GB (2x16GB) 8000MHz PC5-64000 CL38 A-DIE Desktop Memory Module Ram for Intel XMP 3.0 & AMD Expo Compatible Black FFXD532G8000HC38DDC01
Award
Best Premium Performance DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Exceptional stock performance, Understated design
What We Disliked
No RGB lighting
Frequency
8000 MHz
CAS Latency
CL38
Latency (ns)
9.5ns
Input Voltage
1.45V
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 6000MHz CL30
Looks
G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series DDR5 RAM (Intel XMP 3.0) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL30-40-40-96 1.35V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Matte Black (F5-6000J3040F16GX2-RS5K)
Award
Best Value DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Good speed, Tight CL timings, Low profile design
What We Disliked
Only optimized for Intel, so Flare X5 is recommended for EXPO
Frequency
6000 MHz
CAS Latency
CL30
Latency (ns)
10ns
Input Voltage
1.35V
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 6000MHz CL30
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6000MHz CL30
Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 7200MHz CL34
Looks
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL30 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - White (CMP32GX5M2B6000C30W)
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series DDR5 RAM (AMD EXPO) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL30-36-36-96 1.35V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Matte White (F5-6000J3036F16GX2-TZ5NRW)
CORSAIR Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM 64GB (2x32GB) 6000MHz CL30 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - Black (CMH64GX5M2B6000C30)
Award
Best White DDR5 RAM
Best AMD EXPO DDR5 RAM
Best Intel XMP DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Gorgeous aesthetics and RGB lighting, Customizable top cover, Impressive performance
Beautiful aesthetics, Low latency, Doesn't compromise on performance
Beautiful design, Great stability on Intel despite high speed
What We Disliked
Expensive
Height
Height
Frequency
6000 MHz
6000 MHz
7200 MHz
CAS Latency
CL30
CL30
CL34
Latency (ns)
10ns
10ns
9.44ns
Input Voltage
1.40V
1.35V
1.45V
RAM
Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 6000MHz CL30
Looks
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL30 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - White (CMP32GX5M2B6000C30W)
Award
Best White DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Gorgeous aesthetics and RGB lighting, Customizable top cover, Impressive performance
What We Disliked
Expensive
Frequency
6000 MHz
CAS Latency
CL30
Latency (ns)
10ns
Input Voltage
1.40V
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6000MHz CL30
Looks
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series DDR5 RAM (AMD EXPO) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL30-36-36-96 1.35V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Matte White (F5-6000J3036F16GX2-TZ5NRW)
Award
Best AMD EXPO DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Beautiful aesthetics, Low latency, Doesn't compromise on performance
What We Disliked
Height
Frequency
6000 MHz
CAS Latency
CL30
Latency (ns)
10ns
Input Voltage
1.35V
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 7200MHz CL34
Looks
CORSAIR Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM 64GB (2x32GB) 6000MHz CL30 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - Black (CMH64GX5M2B6000C30)
Award
Best Intel XMP DDR5 RAM
What We Liked
Beautiful design, Great stability on Intel despite high speed
What We Disliked
Height
Frequency
7200 MHz
CAS Latency
CL34
Latency (ns)
9.44ns
Input Voltage
1.45V
Amazon
Newegg

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 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.

[toc]

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:

  1. Best Overall: XPG Lancer ROG DDR5-6600 CL32
  2. Best Performance: XPG Lancer RGB 7200MHz CL34
  3. Best Premium Performance: TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem 8000MHz CL38
  4. Best Value: G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series DDR5-6000 DDR5 CL30
  5. Best White: Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5-6000 32GB CL30
  6. Best AMD EXPO: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6400 CL30
  7. 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.

✅Buy It If
You’re running an ASUS ROG motherboard: This RAM kit is best suited for Intel builds with an ASUS ROG Z890 motherboard because it can run at 7,400MHz frequency with a click of a button in the BIOS, namely, the “ROG Certified” memory profile. You’ll see the most performance in such a setting, giving you the best value for your money.

You prefer good-looking RGB and a sleek design: If you’re looking for a RAM kit that has good-looking RGB, then the XPG Lancer ROG 32GB RAM kit should be on your radar because of its beautiful aesthetics with an RGB bar on top and a beautiful black mirror finish heatsink design, catered to all PC build themes.

❌Don't Buy It If
You’re on a tighter budget: While the XPG Lancer ROG is great for overclocking and provides impeccable performance out of the box, its price is murky, making it a difficult choice for gamers on a tighter budget. You’ll be better off with a more affordable kit if you don’t wish to overclock your RAM.

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.

Editor`s Note
Image

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

  • Excellent stock performance
  • Solid overclocking headroom
  • Superb design
  • Reasonable value

Cons

  • Tall heat spreaders

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.

Buy It If

You want to overclock the RAM: I managed to push my particular kit to 7800 MHz at CL34 using 1.5V, which demonstrates its excellent overclocking potential.

You want RGB lighting: The RGB implementation on the XPG Lancer RAM kit is one of the most attractive ones I have ever seen.

Don't Buy It If

You have a big air cooler: With a height of 40mm, this RAM kit is quite tall and may interfere with your cooler if you have a wide dual tower air cooler.

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

  • Exceptional stock performance
  • Understated design
  • Great heat dissipation
  • Available in 48GB capacity

Cons

  • Unremarkable overclocking headroom
  • No RGB lighting

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.

Buy It If

You want the best stock performance: With a frequency of 8000MHz at CL38, the TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem RAM kit dominated my test suite due to its exceptional stock performance.

You don’t like RGB lighting: The T-Force Xtreem kit omits RGB lighting in favor of a more understated design, which may be favorable for those users who want to build a stealthy gaming PC.

Don't Buy It If

You want to overclock: My overclocking experience with the TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem RAM kit was underwhelming since I was unable to gain a noticeable bump in frequency.

You want RGB lighting: If you crave a splash of RGB lighting in your RAM modules, then the T-Force Xtreem kit might not be for you.

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.

WARNING: Overclocking the RAM too much can cause instability issues. Always test your overclocks in smaller increments to get the most performance.

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.

Buy It If

You want the best price-to-performance: When it comes to value for money, there aren’t a lot of modules that can compare to the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32GB DDR5 6000 MHz.

You have a larger CPU Cooler: The kit’s lower-profile design makes it an adequate pair for anyone working with a larger air cooler that provides little RAM clearance.

Don't Buy It If

You are on AMD: While the Ripjaws S5 should work fine on an AMD platform, I would still recommend going with the Flare X5 6,000MHz CL30, which we have also reviewed. It is essentially the same RAM as Ripjaws S5, but it is optimized for AMD EXPO instead of Intel XMP.

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!

✅Buy It If
You don’t want to tweak the RAM for optimal performance: If you’re new to PCs and don’t want to tweak your RAM for the best performance, then the Corsair Dominator Titanium RGB 32GB 6,000MHz kit is your best shot to get the most out of the box performance with AMD and Intel CPUs. Even without any tweaks, it outperformed many others in our testing.

Looks are essential: This module is for you if you want a beautiful RAM kit that can be customized however you want. With a customizable top cover, A-RGB lighting, and beautiful snow-white-like aesthetics, there’s not much else you can ask for from a RAM kit regarding its looks.

❌Don't Buy It If
You have a beefy air cooler: Although this RAM kit has essentially no flaws, I don’t recommend buying it if you’re using a beefy dual-fan air cooler. Because of its 56mm height, it can cause compatibility issues with most air coolers. Therefore, I recommend you do your research and homework before purchasing.

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.

Buy It If
Your main use case is gaming: Although the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB is suitable for all use cases, I recommend it to anyone who plays high-end games at 4K resolution with AMD CPUs. You won’t find any bottlenecking issues or sudden stutters, even at high settings.
Don't Buy It If
May cause height issues: The kit stands tall at 42mm height, so I recommend going over your cooler’s specifications to check if there will be clearance issues.

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

  • High frequency with tight timings
  • Beautiful design
  • Great stability on Intel despite high speed

Cons

  • Height

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.

Buy It If

You want high-performing DDR5 RAM: With speeds of up to 7200 MHz and 9.44ns latency, it’s safe to say that I wasn’t disappointed with the Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5’s performance.

You want a customizable design: The RGB lighting combined with the swappable top cover makes the Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 a lot more customizable than other modules.

Don't Buy It If

Your CPU Cooler doesn’t support tall memory modules: If you are working with a bulkier air cooler, then you might have to skip this module.

You want better overclocking results: We found that overclocking, while possible, is a bit limited on the Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34.

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.

WARNING: Make sure to check RAM clearance before purchasing the Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 since larger air coolers can cause installation issues.
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.

RAMCapacity (GBs)Frequency (MHz)Latency (CL)Latency (ns)Voltage (V)
G.Skill Trident Z53266003410.31.35
XPG Lancer RGB327200349.441.40
TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem328000389.51.45
TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB32600030101.35
Lexar ARES RGB3264003210.661.40
V-Color Manta XPrism RGB327200349.441.40
TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert487200349.441.40
Corsair Vengeance RGB64600030101.40

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.

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

Is DDR5 RAM good for gaming?

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.

Do any motherboards support DDR5 RAM?

Yes, Intel’s 600 and 700 series chipsets support DDR5, while AMD’s X670/E and B650/E motherboards also support this new standard.

Is 32GB of DDR5 RAM too much?

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:

 

 

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Nominated For Another Game of The Year Title

Story Highlight
  • Dragon Age: The Veilguard has joined the race to win its second Game of The Year title.
  • This comes as a surprise since this RPG was not nominated for the same category at The Game Awards.
  • Fans have had mixed reactions to this announcement.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard launched to impressive reviews and promising day-one figures on Steam, but the excitement around the game has mostly dwindled since then. BioWare’s latest RPG also failed to secure a Game of The Year nomination at The Game Awards 2024.

As things looked grim for the studio, Dragon Age: The Veilguard was named The Times’ Game of The Year. Following this surprising announcement, the RPG has entered the race for another major award, securing its second Game of The Year nomination.

Why it matters: BioWare’s return to the RPG genre was much anticipated around the industry. However, fans were not too blown away by the studio’s latest release, creating an air of disappointment around the series.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard
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The latest nomination comes from IGN, with the outlet selecting various titles for its ultimate award this year. Fans should note that these nominations are much more extensive than those of other outlets, including the following titles apart from Dragon Age: The Veilguard:

  • Balatro
  • Astro Bot
  • Black Myth: Wukong
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
  • Silent Hill 2

Many of these nominations are far from surprising since games like Black Myth: Wukong and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth have already received plenty of praise this year. The outlet has also included MachineGames’ recently released Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

This nomination is quite fitting since this title is Xbox’s best-rated release this year. The full list of nominations is available in the video below.

Fans have had mixed reactions to Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s nomination so far. Many have remarked that BioWare’s RPG could have been replaced with more deserving games on the list, but some have also been glad to see the title receiving some recognition.

While the results will be announced later, the outlet has also opened fan voting for these selected titles. Interestingly, Dragon Age: The Veilguard has secured less than 5% of the total votes so far.

What are your thoughts on this nomination? Let us know in the comments, and join the discussion on the Tech4Gamers Forums.