Best DDR4 RAM In 2023
DDR4 RAM is almost at its end. Despite this, however, there are still a lot of people utilizing the technology. The truth is that DDR4 RAM is now faster than its ever been. Although AMD has decided to end DDR4 compatibility with their new motherboards, Intel included DDR4-3200 compatibility on its own iteration. This gives many PC enthusiasts hope and time to keep using the tech they love and know best.
The best part about DDR4 RAM is its low price and wide availability. You can get a great kit that will give you the best bang for your buck, while those hunting for DDR5 RAM will find it’s still quite pricey and hasn’t reached the peak of its potential speed.
DDR4 will inevitably disappear, though. In about two to three years from now, all PC components will be DDR5-only compatible, so you’ll eventually have to upgrade. If you’re looking to future-proof your rig, DDR4 is not the best option, but if all you want is great performance at a great price, then stick to this tech and find in this post the best DDR4 RAM in 2022.
Products at a Glance
How we picked the best DDR4 RAM
DDR4 RAM technology is mature enough for it to remain in a place on our minds. There are several benchmarks that have been showing measured results about how these memory kits work. We based our picks according to the performance of these pieces and the reliability of the company that makes them.
Features and considerations
The first thing to consider when purchasing RAM is its capacity. Depending on which type of user you are, you’ll need more or less RAM for your computer. For example, if you are a high-end gamer, 32GB of RAM will suit you perfectly but if you buy this memory for casual use and normal web browsing, you’d be throwing your money away. So first determine if you are a casual user, intermediate user, professional user, or top-end user.
Once the capacity is set, you need to determine other features, such as frequency. RAM works by reading, processing, and storing information. Thus, the best RAM is the one that completes tasks under low latency in a way that avoids lagging the system.
Intel’s 13th Gen CPU has compatibility up to 3,200MHz for DDR4 RAMs. If you may what to go with something instead of Intel, you can pick an AMD chip, which will offer 3,600MHz. Choosing wisely will ensure enough bandwidth to run any game and complete any job tasks you throw at it. If you follow this list, you’ll see the best DDR4 RAM for you.
Best DDR4 RAM In 2023
- Great timings (19-19-19-39)
- Good price
- Great subtle design
- Best XMP profiles require specific motherboards
This is one of the fastest RAM kits available on the market with a base frequency of PC4-17000 (2133MHz) and up to PC4-35200 (4400MHz) with XMP 2.0 enabled. You’re going to reach an incredible amount of efficiency and performance with this memory kit.
The great engineering of this piece will ensure you timings of 15-15-15-36 and if you have supportive equipment you will get as high as 19-19-19-39. You’ll find that any game or content creator tool will run amazingly. The most efficient and balanced kit available is the 16GB model, but if that capacity is too small for you, it can go up to a 32GB single kit, so you can upgrade up to a whopping 64GB dual kit.
If you’re an RGB lover, you wouldn’t like this piece all too much, as it has a more subtle look with little to no RGB, but it’s still a great choice for DDR4 enthusiasts.
- Great for overclocking
- Amazing performance
- Better aesthetics
- Hard to find
This RAM works well with any CPU you have, whether it be Intel or AMD. However, the speed and performance are better appreciated in an AMD rig. The TeamGroup T-Force Xtreem ARGB features an aluminum-crafted heat spreader with a unique trench design that delivers powerful passive cooling. The body is translucent and allows the RGB light to shine through, giving it a great and unique aesthetic.
The illumination is one of the best assets of the RAM kit. TeamGroup built the software so the user can have total control of the lighting and is compatible with Asus Aura Sync, MSI Mystic Light Sync, Gigabyte’s RGB Fusion 2.0, and ASRock’s Polychrome Sync software.
- High compatibility
- Great performance
- Included fans
- Low voltage
Corsair builds great RAM kits. In this case, it engineered a memory with built-in fans, a feature that delivers amazing and cool performances. The Corsair Vengeance has hand-sorted memory chips that ensure high performance with generous overclocking headroom and an SPD Speed of 2,133MHz.
The kit offers a maximum frequency of 320MHZ, a voltage of 1.35V, an XMP 2.0, and some really low latency considering the frequency. Besides speed, one of its strongest features is the low-profile height of just 34mm, which allows the Vengeance LPX to fits in most small-form-factor builds and the solid aluminum heat spreader efficiently dissipates heat from each module so that they consistently run at high clock speeds.
- Great XMP
- Good for Overclocking
- Not much added value
- Pricey
G.Skill’s Trident line is one of their most beloved appetites. The firm puts every piece of effort into this piece and the RAM responds easily to the high standards thrown at it. It has great building components, amazing design, and top performance. Besides, you’ll never complain about compatibility because it works perfectly with every machine.
The Trident Z works at a stock speed of 3600MHz, with incredibly low latency. A feature that stands out in this kit is the use of the Samsung B-die ICs that have proven time after time the best benchmark results on the market.
That’s all of the current best picks for DDR4 RAM. Whether you’re building an AMD or Intel rig, any one of these should serve you well. Despite the fact that DDR4 will no sooner be lost to time, it still has an avid place among PC enthusiasts and builders alike.
What Is DDR4 RAM?
DDR4 RAM is the successor standard to DDR3 RAM, which is the successor to DDR2, and so on. The naming scheme is fairly logical here, fortunately.
DDR4 RAM usually comes in one of two form factors: DIMMs and soDIMMs. DIMMs are the main desktop form factor (and the only one covered in this article), while soDIMMs are much smaller and used for laptop RAM upgrades. Either DIMM is an individual memory unit, and all of the RAM kits we’ve included in this article have 2 DIMMs. We’ll explain why in a little bit.
What Is XMP/AMP?
The XMP profile and AMP profile are standards for running RAM at higher clock speeds. They offer pre-defined profiles for easy RAM overclocking, which is ideal for users who aren’t ready to do it themselves.
We generally recommend this approach to achieving the most speed out of your RAM, since doing your own overclocking is a process involving extensive trial-and-error. Even if you plan on doing your own OCs, XMP/AMP profiles can show you good starting points.
In higher-end RAM kits, both of these profiles are generally included. Despite XMP being Intel and AMP being AMD, there is no known performance difference and– generally speaking– both will be compatible with your platform of choice. In other words, if you’re looking for the best DDR4 RAM for your Ryzen or Intel CPU, just choose good RAM.
What does Single-Channel, Dual-Channel, And Quad-Channel mean?
“Channel” refers to how many DIMMs are running in synchronization with each other and has a great impact on speed. Below, we’ve listed common channel configurations and their impact on performance.
Note: To run RAM in multi-channel configurations, every DIMM needs to match in speed, capacity, and (ideally) brand.
- Single-Channel – A single RAM stick. This will achieve only half of its rated speed, and serve to bottleneck the CPU.
- Dual-Channel – Two RAM sticks. These will reach their rated speeds, and serve a literal 2x performance improvement over SC setups.
- Quad-Channel – Four RAM sticks. These will reach their rated speeds and do offer more performance than Dual-Channel, but these gains are fairly marginal and won’t be seen in most games/applications.
If you look through our article, you’ll notice that every kit we recommend is a dual-channel RAM kit. That isn’t a coincidence– the only reason to buy a single RAM stick is if it’s to upgrade from a single-channel setup. Otherwise– dual-channel or better, only.
How Does RAM Speed Affect Performance?
Here’s the thing about gaming RAM: if you only look at average FPS, you probably aren’t going to see a difference. If there is one, it will be incredibly marginal… or you upgraded to a dual-channel setup from a single-channel one. (Really, guys: don’t do single-channel, ever.)
In any case, RAM speed is one of those specs that people love to tout around but few actually understand. We’re going to do our best to demystify it now.
Since DDR4 RAM emerged into the mainstream, higher RAM speeds have become the standard. DDR4’s starting speed of 2400 MHz is higher than DDR3’s peak speed of 2133 MHz, and since RAM is usually sold at its minimum spec…
Most users experienced a 2x RAM speed increase moving from DDR3 to DDR4 RAM platforms.
This difference was felt in a slight FPS boost by most gamers, but otherwise didn’t seem to matter to non-professional users.
What many don’t realize is that RAM speed actually impacts minimum FPS, not maximum or average. In other words, faster RAM speed will improve your gaming experience by reducing the severity of FPS drops– in some cases, to the point where your display’s refresh rate is still beneath your FPS drop. This is ideal for gamers who want a completely smooth gaming experience.
How Much RAM Do I Need?
RAM capacity is another hot topic, with many consumers and OEMs stuffing as much RAM as possible into their machines. This has reached a point where high-end gaming laptops (with midrange PC performance) are toting around a whopping 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, dramatically raising prices.
Spoiler alert: this usually isn’t necessary.
- 8 GB RAM – The minimum spec recommended for gamers and common consumers. While Chrome will massacre this pool if you let it, this should be more than enough for gaming and common multitasking.
- 16 GB RAM – This is recommended primarily for professionals and streamers, who need the extra RAM to work with. Unless your multitasking needs are particularly severe, this is unnecessary for a pure gaming rig.
- 32 GB RAM – This is for career professionals and streamers, using applications, VMs, etc that require a RAM pool this large. This is well beyond any level of practicality for a gaming PC.
- 64 GB RAM – Stop. (Unless you’re running a server– in that case, this should work.)
Do Heatsinks And RGB Make A Difference?
Heatsinks
If you’re overclocking, heatsinks (heat spreaders) make a difference. Otherwise, no– RAM doesn’t generate much heat at all, and letting it run naked shouldn’t come with any significant penalty to speak of.
RGB
RGB lighting doesn’t make a performance difference when you are looking for the best RGB RAM, but it does look pretty. And really, isn’t that the biggest difference between them all?
Our Verdict
DDR4 RAM still has quite some time to give us top-notch gaming nights and great results. This curated list has shown you options that just won’t let you pick wrong, but if you’re looking for the absolute best among the best, you will have to go with the Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400. It has an amazing price and leverages a wider range of available features.