The best RAM you can buy will help turn your PC from a slug into a cheetah. That's because RAM is a big part of what makes your PC run quickly, which means it's crucial to get right if you're an avid gamer or you work all day at a desktop or PC.
There are a few things to consider when looking at RAM though. First of all, there's the price, which is going to be the main limiting factor for most of us. Then there's the capacity, with RAM going in increments of 8GB. You'll likely be aiming for at least 8 to 16GB though for most users, and a 32 GB capacity if you're looking to demand a lot from your rig.
Finally, there's the speed. The speed can range from 3,000 MHz to upwards of 6,000 MHz, with faster RAM primarily used in video editing/rendering PCs.
Let's dive into some of our top picks then, with our selection based primarily on the aforementioned features as well as user reviews. And, if you're after something more specific, well the folks at Stealth Optional have their top picks for the best RAM for Ryzen processors, alongside everything you need to know about DDR5. That's for after though, because right now, we've got some RAM to cover.
Best RAM
- PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB
- Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 16GB 5200MHz
- Viper Steel Series DDR4 32GB 3600 MHz Module
- Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM DDR4-4266 Kit
- OLOy DDR4 RAM 16GB Blade Aura Sync RGB RAM Kit
- Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM DDR4-3200 Kit
- OLOy DDR4 RAM 64GB Warhawk Aura Sync RAM Kit
- Corsair Vengeance LPX 128GB DDR4 DRAM 3000MHz RAM Kit
1. PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB
Best RAM kit 16 GB single module
Adding RAM is an upgrade that many PC builders do to ensure that their systems can handle video editing, streaming, or games. Adding more RAM to a system is an easy task, but to ensure that the RAM is performing to its highest ability is a much tougher task.
This PNY XLR8 module features RGB lighting, a maximum RAM speed of 3,200 MHz, and a capacity of 16 GB.
It features an aluminium heat spreader to ensure that heavy workloads don't overheat.
Read More: Best external SSDs for gaming
2. Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 16GB 5200MHz
Best DDR5 RAM
If you're looking to upgrade with a standout DDR5 RAM, the Kingston FURY Beast could be the choice for you.
This RAM offers a solid 16GB of memory and a blistering speed of up to 5,200MHz, which should be excellent for taking your gaming setup to the next level. It also features ODECC technology, which helps maintain data integrity even when you're performing complex and demanding tasks.
The Kingston FURY Beast is also Intel XMP 3.0-Ready and qualified by world-leading motherboard manufacturers.
Read More: Best gaming PCs
3. Viper Steel Series DDR4 32GB 3600 MHz Module
Best RAM kit 32 GB single module
Upgrading and fixing a PC is part of the reason many PC owners decide to build their own computer rather than buy a pre-built computer.
One of the easiest upgrades, for a majority of PCs, is adding an additional RAM module. It features a RAM capacity of 32 GB per module with a RAM speed of 3,600 MHz.
This Viper Steel Series DDR4 32GB 3600 MHz Module lacks any RGB but does feature support for the XMP 2.0 profile which allows for automatic overclocking and compatibility with both Intel and AMD motherboards.
Read More: Best hard drives for Xbox Series X
4. Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM DDR4-4266 Kit
Best RAM 16 GB kit
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM DDR4-4266 Kit features two modules, both modules featuring 8 GB of capacity.
This RAM kit features a speed of 4,266 MHz, making it one of the fastest kits currently on the market. This faster speed may not be a crucial upgrade but can shorten loading times and potentially make your gaming experience better!
The Timing and the speed may be just what your PC needs to speed up video renders or squeeze out all the performance possible while gaming!
Read More: Best hard drives for PS5
5. OLOy 16GB Blade Aura Sync RGB Kit
Best RGB RAM 16 GB kit
While this OLOy DDR4 RAM 16GB kit features a much more reasonable speed of 3,200 MHz, many more motherboards can easily support it.
This kit offers timings of CL 14, which is paired with the RGB LEDs located on the top of each module. Adding more RGB lighting that is customizable ensures your PC can be seen from far away.
This kit features a capacity of 16 GB, which can work by itself or be perfect when added to your existing PC's RAM.
Read More: Best capture cards
6. Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM DDR4-3200 Kit
Best budget 16 GB RAM kit
RAM prices vary greatly, sometimes they are on sale while other times the prices can be raised significantly. This kit may be a perfect choice for users looking to add more RAM without breaking the bank.
This Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB RAM kit features a much more common speed of 3,200 MHz with a timing of CL 16.
To keep the costs as low as possible while still offering good speed and timing, this kit forgoes any RGB lighting.
Read More: Best laptops for Roblox
7. OLOy DDR4 RAM 64GB Warhawk Aura Sync
Best 64 GB RAM kit
Video editors, serial PC upgraders, or content creators will know that more RAM is never a bad thing, so long as the speed and timings are still adequate for your PC's uses.
This OLOy DDR4 RAM 64GB kit offers some of the highest capacity, 64 GB in just two modules, saving space on the motherboard and allowing for even more expansion further down the line.
This 64 GB kit offers a timing of CL 16, a RAM speed of 3,200 MHz, RGB lighting, and an incredibly unique style. Perhaps even taking the title of most the attractive RAM!
Read More: Best laptops for Sims 4
8. Corsair Vengeance LPX 128GB DDR4 DRAM 3000MHz Kit
Best 128 GB RAM kit
If you're looking to maximise your RAM, the Corsair Vengeance LPX 128GB could be for you.
For more demanding tasks, like high-end video editing and rendering, having 128 GB of capacity is incredibly important.
This kit features eight modules, with each module having 16 GB of capacity. These models feature no RGB lighting, instead focusing on providing a speed of 3,000 MHz.
Since this kit features a maximum capacity of 128 GB, across eight modules, the motherboard that this kit is connected to will need to have enough slots for all the modules.
Read More: Best budget gaming laptops
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Before deciding on which RAM to upgrade your PC with, there are a number of questions worth considering before proceeding with your purchase.
How many GB of RAM do I need?
The amount of RAM you need for your PC is dependent on your use. We'd say if you're looking to play games on your PC you'd need at least 8GB of RAM to run most games on relatively low settings.
For graphically intense gaming you'll most likely need at least 16GB but ideally 32GB if you're looking to max out on the latest AAA games.
If you're using your PC for extremely demanding tasks such as professional editing in 4K and high levels of multitasking, 64GB or more could be what you require.
Is DDR4 still good?
DDR4 Is still the standard used on most modern desktops and works effectively to provide you with fast RAM. However, DDR5 is the latest technology for memory, and it offers greater capacity and bandwidth than DDR4.
With DDR5 being relatively new, it will currently set you back a lot more than DDR4 and so we'd say for those sticking to a budget, DDR4 is still a solid option.