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Astro Bot Proves Devs Need To Make Smaller Games Again

Story Highlight
  • Making smaller games like Astro Bot will solve a lot of problems plaguing the industry right now.
  • It would allow more AAA titles to launch in a small space of time, giving fans more games.
  • In addition, finishing games like Astro Bot would be easier, prompting players to buy more.

Gaming has always been good at releasing dozens of hit AAA blockbuster games every year since the turn of the century. But as time has gone by, this frequency has decreased significantly because of the progress in the quality of video games and their massive length.

Nowadays, studios take 5-6 years to develop a single AAA title as the cutting-edge graphics and gameplay take time to polish with games aiming to be longer to entice players to spend $70 on them.

As a result of this industry-wide shift, there has been a scarcity of new entries from major franchises this generation. In my opinion, the recent success of Astro Bot just proves that the gaming world can use some AAA titles with shorter lengths but of the utmost creative quality

Why It Matters: The industry is experiencing a production crisis, with games taking too long to release; focusing on smaller games might fix this issue.

Focusing On Quality (And Quantity)

Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls 6 way back in 2018, and if we are lucky the sequel will hopefully be released before 2030. On the other hand, the gap between The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and the fifth game in the franchise was just five years.

Hence, this problem is plaguing every major franchise in the gaming world as each developer wants to make something you’ll need 40 hours to finish. But, the universal acclaim that Astro Bot has been subjected to shows players don’t always want such a title.

Sometimes, a fun adventure title that takes 10-12 hours to finish is a perfect escape. Astro Bot’s level design, gameplay, and soundtrack have specifically been singled out by critics and fans alike.

And, Team Asobi was only able to achieve such quality in three years and make it the biggest PlayStation game this year because it didn’t try to stretch the platformer into a 20-hour title.

Astro Bot
Astro Bot Reminds Us How Shorter Games Are The Backbone Of The Industry

For sure, you might think this decreases the quantity of the game. But, instead of getting a single 30-hour title that you may never finish, gamers can play two different 15-hour-long games that have different concepts, with more focus on quality like Astro Bot.

Of course, it’s not bad to have AAA titles you can play for a year and the gaming world has a lot of space for such productions. However, the entire industry shouldn’t lean toward that ideal as it kills the variety that titles like Astro Bot bring.

Playing Shorter Games Is Easier

According to research conducted by CTA, only about 25% of the American gaming community are hardcore gamers, meaning they play more than 37 hours a week.

On the other hand, the rest fall into the casual or core player category. The highest percentage of gamers, about 41%, are casual gamers who only play video games for around 13 hours a week.

Astro Bot gaming
In Reality, Only About 25% Of Gamers Have The Time To Beat The Humongous AAA Games

Therefore, it is not easy for the average gamer to finish a 40-plus hour title in a short time. And, considering how most of the player base spends less than 30 hours a week gaming, we need more fun adventures like Astro Bot that don’t take an eternity to finish.

Moreover, many casual gamers are people with academic or financial responsibilities, meaning they only play video games to escape. Short but exhilarating romps like Astro Bot are arguably the best way to provide that sense of adventure in people’s minuscule free time.

The success of Astro Bot has brought to light the severe lack of fun adventures that can be ended in a few days in the current gaming climate. Developers should use the PlayStation exclusive as a wake-up call to start making such AAA titles again so we fans don’t have to bear with the lengthy dev cycles.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Has Reportedly Been In Development For Around A Decade

Story Highlight
  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows has been delayed to 2025 as the developer aims to polish the game. 
  • An insider recently revealed that the game originally featured a story featuring Sword of Eden and a Japanese male lead. 
  • He also revealed that Assassin’s Creed Shdows has been in and off development for almost a decade. 

Recently, Ubisoft delayed Assassin’s Creed Shadows after the poor launch of Star Wars Outlaws. Now, many rumors have appeared online stating different things. It was revealed that originally, the game featured a Japanese male character instead of Yasuke, and some more information regarding that has appeared. 

The whole original story that was later rejected by Ubisoft has been revealed by an insider and it seems to be pretty interesting. The original lead seems to be named Taka Yamauchi, and the story revolves around the Sword of Eden. Also, the game seems to have been in development for a decade now.  

Why it matters: Ubisoft featuring Yasuke as a black samurai in the game has attracted a lot of controversies and backlash that the publisher might never recover from. 

Endymiontv on YouTube has recently been revealing some pretty interesting stuff regarding Ubisoft. Many sources have told him what the original story was supposed to be, and the contractors who work closely with Ubisoft seem to be involved. 

originally he plot of Shadows was supposed to surround a piece of Eden like other games called The Sword of Eden like the Apple or the staff in Odyssey

-Endymiontv 

The sword seems to have a strange power that would corrupt its wielder and give it dominion over others. The insider further reveals that this story’s hero was named Taka Yamauchi, who was a Shinto monk.

Assassins-Creed-Shadows
Assassin’s Creed Shadows Will Now Release Day One on Steam

This monk was against conflicts and wars and wanted to live a peaceful life. However, due to the death of Oda Nobunaga, he had to be involved in ongoing conflicts.

This all happened between 2015-2016, according to them, so this game has been in and off development for almost a decade.

He revealed so much more information about the original story, but this story was heavily scrutinized by the head development team of the Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Due to that, this story was abandoned, and it happened between 2015-16

This means that Shadows has been in development for almost a decade, which seems insane. The insider also revealed how the contractors are the skilled ones and the employees who work at the company are incompetent. 

He said that most of these incompetent developers are women or diversity hires. However, we recommend taking all this information with a massive grain of salt, as nothing has been officially confirmed. 

Larian’s Next Title Won’t Arrive Before 2029; CEO Says Big Games Need Time

Story Highlight
  • Larian Studios is not expecting its next game anytime soon.
  • The CEO recently teased a 2029 release target, but he states that the RPG will arrive once it’s ready.
  • The team is working on two projects and supporting Baldur’s Gate 3 currently, making it difficult to further speed up development.

The team behind Baldur’s Gate 3 hit the home run last year. Larian Studios immediately became a fan-favorite after its unparalleled success in 2023, sweeping awards at every opportunity possible.

The studio is now working on an equally ambitious project for the future. However, like Baldur’s Gate 3, this RPG will require a few years. According to a new report, CEO Swen Vincke experts the next major release in 2029 at the earliest.

Why it matters: Long development cycles in the industry have become a major talking point in recent years. Going by this report, fans will have to wait half a decade for major AAA productions moving forward.

Baldur's Gate 3 Larian Studios
Everyone Has High Expectations From Larian Studios

As reported by IGN, Larian Studios recently won yet another award for Baldur’s Gate 3. During his acceptance speech, CEO Swen Vincke teased a potential 2029 launch for the next major RPG, but he also clarified that this was an estimate at best.

Ultimately, the team will prioritize a complete product over an arbitrary release target.

We’ll release it when it’s ready. They’re big games and it takes time.

-Swen Vincke

He explained that Larian Studios has more than one team and works on the 24-hour development concept. This means that work is handed over to a different team throughout the day to keep the process moving at a brisk pace.

Still, this is insufficient to prepare big RPGs in just a few years. This is precisely why Larian Studios could take five years or more for its next project despite having teams in Dublin, Guildford, Barcelona, and more.

Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 Broke Multiple Records Last Year

It is also important to note that the developer is currently working on two projects. One of these is not expected to arrive until the technology matures to match Swen Vincke’s vision, but the simultaneous development will still impact release schedules.

Fortunately, fans might not have much to complain about, especially if these RPGs end up being anywhere near as great as Baldur’s Gate 3.

Following the successful launch of Baldur’s Gate 3, the developer is poised for greater success moving forward. The team only needs to deliver more exciting RPGs, and going by its past work, this should not be too difficult for the talented folk at Larian Studios.

Best RAM For Ryzen 9600X, 9700X, 9900X, & 9950X [All Tested]

We have reviewed all the processors of AMD’s latest Ryzen 9000 series: Ryzen 9950X, 9900X, 9700X, and the budget-friendly 9600X. Throughout our reviews, we noticed one thing: whether you’re going big or keeping it simple, the same DDR5 kit can seriously boost your performance. Well, to help you out, our team has been hard at work testing dozens of AMD EXPO-compatible DDR5 kits, and we’ve finally narrowed it down to the best five options that’ll give you the most bang for your buck.

Why Trust Tech4Gamers
  • Sameed Hussain is our hardware expert who has been testing graphics cards, processors, RAM, and motherboards for years.
  • 70+ RAM kits tested and reviewed by our team of hardware experts (Tech4Gamers Team).
  • 200+ hours spent testing different RAM kits 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.

Check our final top five recommendations, all compared with each other:

RAM
G. Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo 
G.SKILL Flare X5
XPG Lancer RGB
Corsair Dominator Titanium
Teamgroup T-Create Expert
Looks
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Neo Series DDR5 RAM (AMD Expo) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL28-36-36-96 1.40V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Gold (F5-6000J2836G16GX2-TR5NG)
G.SKILL Flare X5 Series DDR5 RAM (AMD EXPO) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL30-38-38-96 1.35V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Matte Black (F5-6000J3038F16GX2-FX5)
XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 7200MHz 32GB (2x16GB) CL34 UDIMM 288-Pins Desktop SDRAM DDR5 Dual Channel RAM Kit Black Heatsink (AX5U7200C3416G-DCLARBK)
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 7200MHz CL34 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - White (CMP32GX5M2X7200C34W)
TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert Overclocking 10L DDR5 48GB Kit (2 x 24GB) 7200MHz (PC5-57600) CL34 M-DIE Desktop Memory Module Ram Black - CTCED548G7200HC34ADC01
Award
Best Overall RAM
Best Value RAM
Best Performance RAM
Best White RAM
Best 48GB RAM
What We Liked
Low latencies, Aesthetically pleasing design, Limited lifetime warranty
Low Profile design, Great value for money
Best-in-class performance, Distinctive appearance, Overclocking potential
7200 MHz Frequency, Tight timings, Customizable top cover
Low Profile design, Sleek appearance, Excellent speeds, Low latency
What We Disliked
Higher price-tag
Simple appearance
Slightly taller, Expensive
Height, Limited overclocking potential
No RGB, Limited Overclocking Potential
Capacity
32GB (2x16)
32GB (2x16)
32GB (2x16)
32GB (2x16)
42GB (2x24)
Frequency
6,000MHz
6,000MHz
7200MHz
7200MHz
7200MHz
Latency
CL28
CL30
CL34
CL34
CL34
Latency (nanoseconds)
9.3ns
10ns
9.44ns
9.44ns
9.44ns
Voltage
1.4V
1.35V
1.4V
1.45V
1.40V
RGB
RAM
G. Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo 
Looks
G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Neo Series DDR5 RAM (AMD Expo) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL28-36-36-96 1.40V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Gold (F5-6000J2836G16GX2-TR5NG)
Award
Best Overall RAM
What We Liked
Low latencies, Aesthetically pleasing design, Limited lifetime warranty
What We Disliked
Higher price-tag
Capacity
32GB (2x16)
Frequency
6,000MHz
Latency
CL28
Latency (nanoseconds)
9.3ns
Voltage
1.4V
RGB
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
G.SKILL Flare X5
Looks
G.SKILL Flare X5 Series DDR5 RAM (AMD EXPO) 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s CL30-38-38-96 1.35V Desktop Computer Memory U-DIMM - Matte Black (F5-6000J3038F16GX2-FX5)
Award
Best Value RAM
What We Liked
Low Profile design, Great value for money
What We Disliked
Simple appearance
Capacity
32GB (2x16)
Frequency
6,000MHz
Latency
CL30
Latency (nanoseconds)
10ns
Voltage
1.35V
RGB
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
XPG Lancer RGB
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 RAM
What We Liked
Best-in-class performance, Distinctive appearance, Overclocking potential
What We Disliked
Slightly taller, Expensive
Capacity
32GB (2x16)
Frequency
7200MHz
Latency
CL34
Latency (nanoseconds)
9.44ns
Voltage
1.4V
RGB
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
Corsair Dominator Titanium
Looks
CORSAIR Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 7200MHz CL34 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - White (CMP32GX5M2X7200C34W)
Award
Best White RAM
What We Liked
7200 MHz Frequency, Tight timings, Customizable top cover
What We Disliked
Height, Limited overclocking potential
Capacity
32GB (2x16)
Frequency
7200MHz
Latency
CL34
Latency (nanoseconds)
9.44ns
Voltage
1.45V
RGB
Amazon
Newegg
RAM
Teamgroup T-Create Expert
Looks
TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert Overclocking 10L DDR5 48GB Kit (2 x 24GB) 7200MHz (PC5-57600) CL34 M-DIE Desktop Memory Module Ram Black - CTCED548G7200HC34ADC01
Award
Best 48GB RAM
What We Liked
Low Profile design, Sleek appearance, Excellent speeds, Low latency
What We Disliked
No RGB, Limited Overclocking Potential
Capacity
42GB (2x24)
Frequency
7200MHz
Latency
CL34
Latency (nanoseconds)
9.44ns
Voltage
1.40V
RGB
Amazon
Newegg
[toc]

Best RAM For Ryzen 9000 CPUs

These are our tried and tested DDR5 kits that offer the best performance with a Ryzen 9000 processor:

  1. Best Overall: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30
  2. Best Value: G.Skill Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30
  3. Best Performance: XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 7200 MHZ CL34
  4. Best White: Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34
  5. Best 48GB: Teamgroup T-Create Expert 48GB DDR5-7200 C34

G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30

Best Overall RAM

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16 GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL30 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | Voltage: 1.35V | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Stunning Design
  • Excellent performance
  • Decent overclocking headroom

Cons

  • Expensive

Read Our G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB CL30 Review

Right off the bat, the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 6000 CL30’s stunning design is what stood out to me the most. The kit uses a dual-tone accent on its heatsink, with the white stripes adding to the appeal. RGB is also well-integrated with the RGB bar spanning across the entire module. In our tests, the kit managed to perform really well thanks to its 6000 MHz speed and the CAS30 latency. 

The latency, as measured in nanoseconds, comes in at 10ns, which is a respectable figure. You can use our RAM latency calculator to measure the latency (in nanoseconds) of any DDR5 kit. I found the overclocking potential to be fairly reasonable as well, allowing you to take the module up to 6200 MHz without changing any of the timings. Naturally, a voltage increase is going to be required for these kinds of overclocks.

Take a look at what our hardware tester, Mussab Ali, said about the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo in his review:

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.

WARNING: Make sure your CPU cooler provides enough RAM clearance before purchasing an RGB module such as this one.
Buy It If

You want an aesthetically pleasing kit with remarkable performance: The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB provided excellent results in our tests while also keeping up in terms of aesthetics.

Don't Buy It If

You have a limited budget: Despite the solid real-world performance in our tests, the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 6000 CL30 is not going to be the best option for those working with a limited budget.

What Makes It The Best Overall RAM?

The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB CL30 essentially provides the best possible performance, a decent amount of overclocking headroom as well as a great look, which is why I have deemed it the Best Overall RAM for all Ryzen 9000 processors.

Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Overclocking: 8/10 Design: 9/10

G.SKILL Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30

Best Value RAM

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16GB) | Frequency: 6,000MHz | Latency: CL30 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns | Voltage: 1.35V | RGB: No

Pros

  • Great price-to-performance ratio
  • Low profile design

Cons

  • Simple appearance

Read Our G.Skill Flare X5 Review

The G.Skill Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 has a fairly simple look, with a plain black heat spreader that consists of little to no design elements. RGB is also entirely absent, although I found that perforations have been added to the right side of the heat spreader for better thermal performance. I was happy to see that its height only comes in at 33mm, which makes it ideal for small form factor builds.

Despite the simple design, the RAM kit packs fantastic performance, with a speed of 6000 MHz and a CL30 latency, which translates to exactly 10 nanoseconds. Overclocking headroom is also present, with the kit allowing for speeds of up to 6200 MHz with a slight voltage uplift. That only nets a small performance increase for most modern systems; however, it is nice to see that you can go up to that range.

When Mussab Ali, our RAM expert, reviewed the G.Skill Flare X5, he praised it for its value – saying:

The G.SKILL Flare X5 DDR5-6000 CL30 is a great choice for PC builders on a budget, especially if you’re working with an AMD setup. It’s designed for those who want a solid, entry-level build without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to keep costs down while still getting reliable performance, this RAM is a perfect fit.

Buy It If

You are working with a larger air cooler: The RAM kit’s lower-profile design makes it a perfect pair for chunkier air coolers that might not have the best RAM clearance.

You want solid value-for-money: If value-for-money is what you are after, there aren’t a lot of kits that can compete with the G.Skill Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30. 

Don't Buy It If

You want a better design: While I wasn’t dissatisfied with its design, there’s no denying that its appearance is fairly simple, which might not suit everyone’s preference.

What Makes It The Best Value RAM?

The G.Skill Flare X5 32GB provides a nice balance of performance, price, and overclocking capabilities, making it the Best Value RAM For Ryzen 9950X, Ryzen 9900X, Ryzen 9700X, and Ryzen 9600X.

Editor`s Note
Image

When it comes to value, the G.Skill Flare X5 is going to be my top recommendation, and for a good reason. Sure its design might not be the most eye-catching, but it does a fantastic job at providing the best possible price-to-performance, which is something most people will need when looking for a DDR5 kit.

– Sameed Hussain

Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Overclocking: 8/10 Design: 9/10

XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 7200MHz CL34

Best Performance RAM

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (16GB x2) | Frequency: 7200MHz | Latency: CL34 | Latency (nanoseconds): 9.44 ns | Voltage: 1.40V | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • Best-in-class performance
  • Distinctive appearance
  • Overclocking potential
  • Limited Life Time Warranty

Cons

  • Slightly taller
  • Expensive

Read Our XPG Lancer RGB 7200 MHz CAS34 Review

If pure performance is what you are after, then I won’t recommend any other module apart from the XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 7200 MHz CL34. The kit runs at a speed of 7200 MHz with CL34 timings at a rated voltage of 1.4V. The low 9.44ns latency essentially guarantees top-notch performance, with the overclocking headroom further adding to that. Speaking of which, we were able to push the kit all the way up to 7200 MHz in our dedicated overclocking tests.

Apart from the performance figures, I am a fan of the XPG Lancer RGB’s overall design. You get a 10-layer PCB, matte-black brushed aluminum heatsink, and RGB lighting. Despite the addition of a fairly large diffuser on top, I noticed that the kit isn’t too tall either, measuring in at a height of 40mm. Adata also provides a limited lifetime warranty with the kit, which is a welcome addition.

Our senior RAM expert, Nauman Siddique, was also impressed by the kit’s performance, stating:

The XPG Lancer RGB 32GB DDR5 kit delivers exceptional performance, rivaling binary DDR5 kits. Its impressive overclocking capabilities, dual-platform support, and error correction function make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts

PRO TIP: While the XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 has decent overclocking headroom, make sure you overclock in increments to ensure stability at all times.
Buy It If

You want phenomenal performance: The XPG Lancer DDR5 RGB features top-of-the-line specifications including a rated clock speed of 7200 MHz and a 9.44ns latency.

You intend on overclocking your RAM kit: If you are someone who wants to overclock their RAM modules to the very limit, then you will be satisfied with the XPG Lancer DDR5 RGB’s headroom.

Don't Buy It If

Your CPU cooler doesn’t support taller RAM modules: Its taller height of 40mm can result in clearance issues for some air coolers.

You want a cheaper RAM kit: The XPG Lancer DDR5 RGB is priced at a higher point.

What Makes It The Best Performance RAM?

The XPG Lancer RGB model we’ve picked is its most premium offering, so you get superb performance even if you’re not looking to tune anything manually. It looks quite good, too, and there’s still some overclocking potential if you want to push the kit further. 

Performance: 10/10 Value: 8/10
Overclocking: 9/10 Design: 9/10

Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5-7200 CL34

Best Performance RAM

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x 16 GB) | Frequency: 7200MHz | Latency: CL34 | Latency (Nanoseconds): 9.44ns | Voltage: 1.450V | RGB: Yes

Pros

  • 7200 MHz Frequency
  • Tight timings
  • Customizable top cover

Cons

  • Height
  • Limited overclocking potential

Read Our Corsair Dominator Titanium DDR5 Review

For 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 EXPO, 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 performance is already more than enough for most use cases.

Nauman Siddique, our RAM expert, found the kit’s performance to be exceptional. This is what he said in his 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 Performance 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 EXPO profiles, great cooling capabilities, and a remarkable design, which is why I have deemed it the Best Performance RAM For Ryzen 9000 processors.

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

Teamgroup T-Create Expert 48GB DDR5-7200 C34 Kit

Best 48GB RAM

Specifications: Memory Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 48GB (2×24 GB) | Frequency: 7,200MHz | Latency: CL34 | Latency (ns): 9.44ns | Voltage: 1.40V | RGB: No

Pros

  • Low Profile design
  • Sleek appearance
  • Excellent speeds
  • Low latency

Cons

  • No RGB
  • Limited Overclocking Potential

Read Our Teamgroup T-Create Expert DDR5 Review

If you are looking for a higher-capacity option, then you certainly can’t go wrong with the Teamgroup T-Create Expert 48GB 7200 CL34. The kit comes with a simple appearance and a low-profile design, with its height only measuring in at 32mm. Despite the lack of RGB, I didn’t find the design to be exactly boring, with the golden accents on the logo adding to the visual flair.

The Teamgroup T-Create Expert 48GB 7200 CL34 kit also performed remarkably well in our tests thanks to its speed of up to 7200 MHz and  CL34 timings at 1.4V. Its latency, at 9.44ns, is also fairly low, which is great to see on productivity-focused kits such as this one. We found that overclocking headroom is limited, which is slightly disappointing. Even then, its original speeds are going to be more than enough for most, if not all, workloads.

The kit is best summarized in the words of Nauman Siddique, the most senior and well-experienced hardware expert on our team:

The Teamgroup T-Create Expert DDR5 memory kit targets professionals, content creators, and heavy data users. Operating at 7200MT/s with CAS 34 timings, it prioritizes high performance and reliability. The low-profile design, single color option, and efficient cooling via a single-piece aluminum heat spreader cater to creators. Overall, we recommend this kit for content creators and workstation users, valuing performance and durability over RGB lighting aesthetics.

Buy It If

You want a low-profile kit: With a height of 32mm, the T-Create Expert 48GB 7200 CL34 leaves a lot of space for a larger air cooler.

You want a kit for productivity: With a combined capacity of 48GB, and a 7200 MHz frequency, the kit proves to be an adequate option for anyone who is working with memory-intensive applications.

Don't Buy It If

RGB is a must: While its design is sleek, the T-Create Expert 48GB DDR5 7200 doesn’t come with RGB lighting.

You want better overclocking headroom: The T-Create Expert 48GB DDR5-7200 doesn’t necessarily provide the best overclocking headroom, which can be a problem for some people.

What Makes It The Best 48GB RAM?

For a 48GB RAM kit, there’s a lot Teamgroup has done right with the T-Create Expert 48GB. You get remarkable speeds of 7200 MHz, a low 9.44ns latency as well as a low profile design that will allow you to use it with a larger cooler, making it the Best 48GB RAM For Ryzen 9950X, Ryzen 9900X, Ryzen 9700X, and Ryzen 9600X.

Performance: 9/10 Value: 8/10
Overclocking: 7/10 Design: 8/10

Our Benchmarks Of The Best RAM For Ryzen 9950X, 9900X, 9700X & 9600X

Here are the compiled benchmarks of our tested kits. You can also check our RAM Comparison Tool, where we have added all benchmarks of our recently tested DDR5 kits.

Specification Comparison Of Our Selected Kits

Take a look at the key comparisons between our five picks:

Kit ModelCapacity (GB)Speed (MT/s)CAS Latency (clock cycles)RAM Latency (ns)Voltage (V)
G.Skill Trident Z5 Royal Neo326000289.31.4
G.Skill Flare X532600030101.35
XPG Lancer RGB327200349.41.4
Teamgroup T-Create Expert487200349.41.4
Corsair Dominator Titanium327200349.41.45V

Important RAM Terms To Watch Out For

These are some key RAM terms that everyone should know before making a purchase:

  • AMD EXPO (AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking): It is an AMD feature that enables pre-configured overclocking profiles for your RAM, allowing you to run your kits at a higher frequency (and lower latency).
  • JEDEC Speed: Before enabling EXPO, your memory modules will be running at JEDEC speeds, which typically fall in the range of 4800-5600 MHz.
  • RAM Timings: These specific settings define how quickly your RAM can perform. They include various delays and speeds, all contributing to how fast your memory can operate.
  • CAS Latency (CL): This is how long it takes your RAM to start giving you the data you asked for after it receives a request. It’s a key part of what determines your RAM’s speed.
  • Frequency: When we talk about RAM’s frequency, we’re referring to how fast it can transfer data. This speed is usually shown in MHz or GHz, with higher numbers generally meaning quicker performance.
  • DIMM Slots: These are slots on the motherboard where the RAM kit is installed. Most motherboards have two or four DIMM slots to accommodate that many RAM kits. Before installing kits, look through your motherboard’s manual to determine the fastest RAM channels.

How Our Team Tested And Reviewed These Kits

To round up the top 5 RAM options that offer the best performance for all Ryzen 9000 processors, we ran several tests on different kits; our main focus was on these aspects:

  • Performance: Our primary testing revolved around the sheer performance we can squeeze out of these kits without running into stability issues. This includes running several AIDA64 benchmarks, trying out different games, and more synthetic benchmarks to evaluate the overall performance.
  • Power Consumption: A RAM’s overclocking potential and stability are directly impacted by its power consumption and how well it dissipates heat. As such, I also scrutinized different kits based on their power efficiency.
  • Design: Overall looks matter a lot, if a RAM is pricey, it should make up for it with some added flair, and I factored it during my tests.
  • Overclocking Capabilities: RAM that allows for some overclocking room is prioritized. In our testing, if the kit can’t push beyond EXPO speeds, it is filtered out.

FAQs

Can The Ryzen 5 9600X Handle 6000 MHz RAM?

Yes, the Ryzen 5 9600X can easily handle 6000 MHz DDR5 memory kits.

Is 16GB RAM enough for the Ryzen 9000 series processors?

Although 16GB DDR5 RAM is enough for most tasks, we recommend using 32GB with high-end Ryzen 9000 series processors for optimal performance.

What’s the ideal memory speed for Ryzen 9000 CPUs?

DDR5-6400 is the sweet spot for the Ryzen 9000 series CPU, but you also get good performance with a 6000MHz kit.

 

Xbox Now Asking Devs Why They Prefer PS5 Over Series S|X

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  • The Xbox Research division is now targeting developers.
  • It wants to ensure studios and third-party teams get as much support as possible.
  • The gaming giant also wants input from those who prefer rival platforms for the best research.

Xbox has struggled with third-party support recently. Despite the appealing nature of the Series S|X consoles, developers have had more than a few gripes with the gaming giant’s approach.

To directly address these concerns, the company has begun a new initiative. According to Microsoft’s latest blog post, the gaming giant wants to know why developers skip Xbox.

Why it matters: Games like Enotria: The Last Song highlighted the publisher’s poor support for third-party teams. Therefore, this initiative is a much-needed step in the right direction.

Xbox
The Latest Research Initiative Addresses Developers Directly | Image via Microsoft

A new blog post explains that Xbox Research, a division that typically attempts to consider player demands, has recently shifted its approach. The same division will now look toward developers, hoping to meet their requirements.

As part of this new push, Xbox is hoping to make the development process on its platform smoother than ever for third-party studios. This is important for indie studios since various teams have faced difficulties with the most trivial matters when creating games for the Series S|X.

If you aren’t on Xbox, we’d love to know. If you are using our competitor’s products, you probably have a great perspective.

-Dr. Deborah Hendersen

As the Principal User Researcher explains, the company wants to hear from those who prefer rival ecosystems since this approach will help it avoid an echo chamber.

Xbox hopes to avoid instances seen with releases like Capcom’s Fighting Collection 2. Initially announced for the PS5, this collection was only confirmed for the Series S|X after Microsoft and Capcom held technical discussions.

The gaming giant hopes that this initiative will nip the problem in the bud and give developers more accessible tools to work with.

Xbox Series X
The Series X Is Currently The Most Powerful Console On The Market

While developers have previously admitted that support for the PS5 is mostly prioritized due to its popularity, it’s undeniable that technical hurdles have become a problem for this platform on multiple occasions.

Even Black Myth: Wukong, the biggest game of 2024, was pushed back on this platform. This was a huge loss for Xbox, but such initiatives should ensure that these scenarios are seldom repeated in the future.

Ryujix Emulator Shut Down After Owner Received An Undeniable Offer From Nintendo

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  • Nintendo has intervened with the functioning of the emulator Ryujinx, permanently shutting it down.
  • According to the emulator’s discord, the creator of Ryujinx was approached with an offer, and the download page is now blank.
  • Hence, it seems like Nintendo has successfully shut down another indie creator.

Nintendo has a pretty bad reputation in the gaming world for suing small developers, whether it is regarding games or emulators. The Japanese giant recently sued the creators of the Switch emulator Yuzu seeing it was unlawful and affected the piracy of Switch games. 

Fast forward seven months, and nothing has really changed as Nintendo has now sued another developer, this time going for Ryujinx, the competitor to the now-deceased Yuzu.

Why It Matters: Nintendo is aggressively going emulators, putting the entire industry at risk.

Yuzu Nintendo
Nintendo recently shut down the Yuzu emulator in February

On the emulator’s Discord page, a moderator revealed that Nintendo approached the emulator’s creator and immediately shut down operations, stopping work on the project. 

The Discord post also revealed that Nintendo approached the Ryujinx creator with an offer, but there is no confirmation that he took it. However, the organization has been removed, meaning that the outcome is pretty obvious, and Ryujinx is no longer there.

 gdkchan was contacted by Nintendo and offered an agreement to stop working on the project, remove the organization and all related assets he’s in control of

The emulator’s download page is not showing anything, and the link for Ryujinx on GitHub leads to an error when you click on it. The creator, Gdkchan, has not made any statement regarding the whole situation, hinting that Ryujinx isn’t going to be around anymore.

Nintendo also made a settlement with the creators of Yuzu back in February, with the latter giving them $2.4 million and putting an end to the emulator.

According to the Discord post, the devs had an iOS port for the emulator in development, but it probably won’t see the light of day now. 

Even though the emulator is most probably dead, the author of the discord post, rip in peri peri, said that other creators should not be disheartened by this development and that the future of game preservation does depend on individuals.

TeamGroup Debuts 8000MHz T-Force Deltaα DDR5 Kits For Ryzen 9000 CPUs

[Press Release] The latest DDR5 TeamGroup memory is a great fit for the Ryzen 9000 series. Dubbed the T-Force DeltAα RGB, it boasts seamless overclocking of up to 8000MHz.

TeamGroup T-Force DeltAα RGB DDR5
The DDR5 Memory Boasts Features Like On-Die ECC(Error Correction Code)

To make the deal even better, the DDR5 kits support AMD EXPO profiles, giving users an incredible experience on the new X870E platform. On the other hand, T-Force DeltAα RGB also supports Intel’s 600 and 700 series platforms.

Therefore, TeamGroup promises a stable and reliable experience whether you pick an AMD or Intel processor. According to the company, a strong partnership with manufacturers like ASUS and MSI guarantees the new kits will work across any motherboard out of the box.

Intel XMP 3.0 is also supported for those using Team Blue’s recent CPUs. All in all, the T-Force DeltAα RGB is worth keeping an eye on, and you can find the latest updates on this DDR5 memory on TeamGroup’s official website.

Epic CEO Sounds Alarm On Changing Industry As High Budget Games Not Selling Well

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  • Epic CEO has recently talked about the gaming industry undergoing generational change.
  • He says that high-budget games have failed to meet expectations while other games have done a lot better.
  • Sweeney further states that there is a recent trend of players gravitating towards games where they can play with more of their friends. 

The gaming industry has seen massive changes in recent years. Many high-budget titles like Concord, Skull & Bones, and many others have failed to attract many players, while releases like Helldivers 2 and Palword have been huge successes.

Talking about the ongoing change in the gaming industry, Epic’s CEO stated that the industry is going through generational change as high-budget games aren’t selling well.

Why it matters: Quite a few recent releases have failed because the developers have been focusing heavily on the live service genre, which is mostly hit or miss. 

Fortnite Has Been The Biggest Success For Epic

During a recent opening session at Unreal Fest Seattle 2024, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney discussed multiple topics, including the uncertainty of the metaverse and Fortnite’s continuing success.

While discussing the gaming industry more, Sweeney stated that it is experiencing a generational change as many high-budget games are failing to sell as much as expected. 

we’re seeing right now is that a lot of games are released with high budgets, and they’re not selling nearly as well as expected

-Tim Sweeney 

He further discussed how other games are doing incredibly well. Sweeney believes that we are seeing a real trend of players gravitating toward games where they can have more fun with their friends. 

Concord
Concord Has Joined The List of The Biggest Failures

He believes this could be metaverse, as gamers want to do as much as possible when playing with friends, like chatting by voice, watching virtual concerts, and doing much more virtual stuff.

It’s new, and it’s exciting, and it’s something that’s never happened at this scale in the history of entertainment

-Sweeny

Fortnite has been evolving for a long time now, and with all the live concerts it has over the years, it is something that has never happened in entertainment history before.

So, new, exciting, and ever-evolving experiences have a huge effect on the fans’ experience, unlike the big-budgeted projects that have been failing recently.  

AC Shadows Pre-Orders Only 7% of AC Valhalla At The Same Time, Says Insider

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  • AC Shadows has only hit 7% of the pre-order numbers that AC Valhalla had at the same point before its release.
  • Physical pre-orders for the game are also reportedly low, with a major retail chain reporting fewer than 800 pre-orders.
  • The game’s digital pre-orders are also lagging behind other titles on platforms like the PlayStation Store.

AC Shadows is already in deep waters ahead of its 2025 release. YouTuber Endymion, referencing unnamed Ubisoft employees, reports that pre-orders for the game are worryingly low.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has only reached 7% of what Assassin’s Creed Valhalla had at the same time before its release.

Why it matters: Ubisoft’s recent financial troubles, along with the AC Shadows delay, might be making potential buyers more hesitant.

In a recent video, Endymion talked about how Ubisoft employees mentioned the disappointing pre-order numbers before the game was officially delayed.

AC Shadows has only about 7% of the pre-order numbers of Valhalla during the same time period.

-Insider

The low pre-order figures might have played a role in Ubisoft’s decision to postpone Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

The company wants to prevent another financial setback after the negative reviews and sales of earlier games like Star Wars Outlaws and Skull and Bones.

Adding fuel to the fire, Craig Skistimas from the Side Scrollers Podcast said that physical pre-orders for AC Shadows are also dismal. He posted on X that a major retail chain reported fewer than 800 pre-orders for the Xbox and PlayStation 5 versions, spread across over 900 stores.

The outlook looks just as bleak in digital marketplaces. On the PlayStation Store, the game’s Ultimate Edition, priced at $129.99, was ranked 16th on September 20th, trailing behind games like New World: Aeternum and Silent Hill 2.

The base game did even worse, coming in at 21st place. The Gold Edition, ranked on the second page of the PlayStation Store, comes in at 30th place.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is Ubisoft’s second most profitable game ever.

One reason for the slow pre-orders might be player fatigue with the Assassin’s Creed franchise. The series has been releasing games regularly over the years.

Although some, like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, did well, the ongoing flow of new titles could have reduced fans’ excitement.

Additionally, Ubisoft’s decision not to promote the game at major events like the Tokyo Game Show has raised questions about the company’s confidence in it.

Nvidia Completely Dominates Top 30 GPU Spots In Steam Hardware Survey

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  • NVIDIA dominates the GPU market with a 77.75% share, led by the popular GeForce RTX 4060.
  • AMD struggles to make an impact, with RDNA 3 falling short and its GPUs ranking low in the survey. 
  • Gamers favor NVIDIA for superior upscaling and ray tracing performance, with AMD heading in the same direction. 

Unsurprisingly, NVIDIA is leading the PC and laptop GPU market on the September 2024 Steam Hardware and Survey findings. NVIDIA has been gaining ground on its rivals in the PC gaming sector and currently holds a 77.75% market share.

Why it matters: When companies like NVIDIA and AMD compete, they drive innovation, leading to better technology and more options for gamers.

The September Steam hardware survey also shows that the GeForce RTX 4060 is currently the most popular GPU on the list. However, the majority of Steam users still own a GeForce RTX 3060.

AMD is nowhere to be seen in the top ten list on the Steam hardware survey until you reach number 34, which is a bit worrying. AMD is facing an extremely steep uphill struggle with RDNA 4, given that RDNA 3 has been unable to make much of an impact.

Image Via: Steam

Older Radeon models such as the RX 6600, RX 6700 XT, and RX 580 are the most popular choices among gamers. RDNA 2 makes sense because it aims to provide a competitive and practical option for the mid-range market, compared to RDNA 3

There are many reasons why gamers still prefer Nvidia over AMD. The major two are better upscaling and Ray-Tracing performance. That being said, AMD has collaborated with Sony to significantly enhance Radeon ray-tracing, and it is now embracing AI for its FSR upscaling and frame generation technologies.

However, we might see a shift in competition as AMD plans to take the lead in the midrange by delivering the Radeon RX 8700 XT and 8800 XT several months ahead of the GeForce RTX 5070.

1080P still seems to be the most popular resolution among gamers. Its also one of the reasons why AMD no longer wants to compete in the high end market. The red team now plans to compete with budget to mid-range options offering solid price to performance options next year. 

Skull And Bones Reportedly Cost $650-850 Million To Develop

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  • A new report claims that Ubisoft spent around $650-850 on the development of Skull and Bones. 
  • The live service game is the primary reason that Ubisoft is in such a miserable state right now. 
  • There were multiple different versions of the game spanning over 10 years of development.

While we were still contemplating how Sony could’ve splashed so much cash on a game like Concord, it seems something else has managed to top it off. According to a new report, Ubisoft spent a ridiculous amount of $650-850 Million to develop Skull and Bones

Why it matters: Ubisoft put a lot of work into Skull and Bones. The game went through a long development cycle and even faced multiple delays. 

ENDYMIONtv states that they talked to several Ubisoft insiders about the company’s state and recent and upcoming projects. According to them, the development of Skull and Bones cost Ubisoft anywhere from $650 to $850 million.

Ubisoft is currently struggling with critically low stock values, and its investors are quite worried. This reportedly happened due to Star Wars Outlaws’ low sales. The game managed only 1 million sales in a month despite being a huge name brand.

Skull and Bones failed so badly for Ubisoft, that it is the actual reason they are dying, It’s not Outlaws or Shadows.

-ENDYMIONtv

However, Endymion says that their insiders told him Outlaws or the criticism against Assassin’s Creed Shadows aren’t the main reasons the company is struggling. This is mainly because Ubisoft burned a lot of resources with Skull and Bones

Skull and Bones
Skull and Bones was a disastrous launch.

For context, Skull and Bones only managed a peak player count of around 2500 players on Steam. Currently, the game is mostly dead and records only a few hundred players daily on average.

It is possible that Ubisoft did spend a lot of money on Skull and Bones. Live service games are designed in a way that they are meant to be played for many years. So, they start generating profit after a little while, but the $850 million sounds a little too much

Concord also attracted a lot of controversy as many insiders debunked the $400 million reported budget. So, it is better to take the alleged Skull and Bones development cost with a grain of salt too. Until then, fans should wait for an official word from the company. 

Sony Execs Are Reportedly Not Happy With Initial Ghost of Yotei Impressions

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  • Ghost of Yotei was announced to mixed reactions from the fans as many didn’t like the absence of Jin Sakai. 
  • A rumor states that Sony executives aren’t happy with the game’s initial impressions.
  • The executives also seemed to be expecting a sequel featuring Jin Sakai and were blindsided by the reveal.

Ghost of Yotei was recently announced by Sony during the State of Play. The live show was really underwhelming, so this reveal at the end really made the fandom excited. However, due to it being the sequel to Ghost of Tsushima many fans were expecting Jin Sakai to return. 

Due to that, Atsu, the new lead, received backlash from the fandom, and the impressions of the game weren’t really that positive. Now a new rumor states that internally Sony executives aren’t happy with the early impressions

Why it matters: Ghost of Tsushima is one of the most beloved PlayStation exclusive so no one expected its sequel to go through such controversy. 

This rumor comes from Endymion, who got this information from an alleged insider. The YouTuber seems to have a lot of influence on the platform, and he reveals Ghost of Yotei blindsided many people at Sony, especially those who weren’t aware of what Sucker Punch is working on. 

they are not happy at all when it comes to the response of that game either, internally at Sony right now.

-Endymion

The other executives at Sony were expecting that Jin Sakai would be getting a sequel, and they were blindsided by Atsu as the new lead. Fans did appreciate the new setting, but there were a lot who wanted to see Jin Sakai return as the main lead due to his role in Ghost of Tsushima. 

There is a lot of criticism regarding the female lead, Atsu, too, as fans are claiming that this series has gone ‘Woke’ too. While this might not be the case, fans are concerned because the voice actor behind Atsu has initiated some controversies. 

Ghost of Yotei
Ghost of Yotei Has Been Criticized A Lot Due To Its Female Lead

So, it is fair to say the initial impressions of the game weren’t close to what it should have been given the influence of Ghost of Tsushima, which would make sense as to why Sony executives aren’t happy. 

However, we would recommend taking this news with a grain of salt, as Sony has yet to comment on the situation.