The best RAM for 2024

More memory is rarely a bad thing. Although there's a sweet spot when it comes to how much RAM you actually need, more memory will allow you to run demanding applications with ease, as well as make the desktop experience feel faster overall. The best RAM can give you all the extra capacity and speed you need and will spruce up your rig in the process.

Not all RAM kits are built equally, though. Differences in timings and speed can lead to better performance and stability, so it's a good idea to choose a reputable kit instead of what's cheapest. We have options for every build and purpose, from one of the fastest DDR5 kits on the market to a kit that won't cost more than $50.

G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6,000 MHz 32GB

Best DDR5 memory overall

Why you should buy it: It's fast, attractive, and affordable.

Who's it for: Anyone building or upgrading to a PC that uses DDR5 memory.

What we thought of the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB kit:

If you want the most straightforward, fast, attractive, well-priced kit of DDR5 memory, this one from G.Skill is it. The Trident Z5 is an excellent, well lauded range of memory, and at 6,000 MHz with 32GB capacity, this kit has all the power, performance, and capacity you need to handle anything you throw at it. High-end games, photo and video editing, college work, office work, streaming video -- it's ready for anything.

It's got some fancy RGB lighting too, and at just over $100 for 32GB, it's an absolute steal. Memory prices are slated to rise in the coming year, too, so it's worthwhile investing in a kit like this while it's so affordable.

G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB 3,600MHz

Best budget DDR4 memory

Why you should buy it: It's one of the cheapest DDR4 kits with strong performance and capacity.

Who's it for: Anyone building or upgrading an older DDR4 PC.

What we thought of the G.Skill Ripjaws DDR4 kit

G.Skill's Ripjaws range is its value-focused memory, but just because this kit doesn't cost much, doesn't mean it isn't impressively fast. At 3,600 MHz, this kit is about as fast as it gets for mainstream DDR4 memory. Sure, there are kits that go over 4,000 MHz in some cases, but they rarely do much in terms of performance, and if you install anything over 3,600 MHz in an AMD system, it gets complicated since you have to play around with the Infinity Fabric clock... it's not really worth it.

With this kit, you get a fast, decent-looking pair of sticks with 16GB capacity, which is plenty for most users outside of heavy gamers and video editors, and you get it at a great price too.

Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem 32GB 8000MHz

Fastest DDR5 memory

Why you should buy it: It's about the fastest DDR5 memory you can buy.

Who's it for: Overclockers and system tweakers who like to play with settings to maximize performance.

What we thought of the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit:

If you want peak performance at a good price, the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit is it. At 8,000 MHz, you aren't going to find many kits that claim to be any faster, and even if they do, those claims are dubious when it comes to the real world. That's because ultimately, there isn't much benefit to going beyond 7,200 MHz for most PCs, but if you absolutely want to maximise your system, this is the kit to do it with.

You'll need a high-end motherboard and be willing to invest the time in adjusting voltages and frequencies, but if you do, you'll get a seriously fast pair of memory sticks. They look fantastic, too, with their understated, sleek color scheme and lack of eye-catching RGB LEDs. This kit is also available in 48GB and 64GB capacities, if you need more.

Teamgroup T-Forze Xtreem ARGB 3,600 MHz 32GB

Best DDR4 memory

Why you should buy it: It's a super fast, high-end DDR4 kit.

Who's it for: Those on older systems who want plenty of fast memory.

What we thought of the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit:

If you're running an older AM4 or LGA 1700 setup with DDR4 memory and want a bigger or faster (or both) kit, then the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem 32GB kit of 3,600 MHz memory is hard to beat. It's a little more expensive than our budget pick, but it's not much more for a doubling in capacity with improved performance.

Even if you're not a fan of the RGB LEDs, you can turn them off and enjoy the smooth mirror-finish on these modules, which help make them serious eye-candy in even the most demure of PC builds.

Corsair Dominator Titanium 64GB

Best customizable RAM

Why you should buy it: These modulars are extremely customizable, with heaps of options.

Who's it for: Anyone who likes to tweak their system for looks and performance.

What we thought of the Corsair Dominator Titanium:

Corsair's Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 memory kit is overkill for just everyday performance, but if you like to truly customize your system, then it's a great pick. You can adjust the RGB LEDs, or install custom top-bar modules on to the heatsink, letting you upgrade the cooling, change the visuals, or add your own unique aesthetic spin on the design.

The raw performance out of the gate is excellent too. It's not quite peak performance for DDR5, but that's where overclocking comes in. Beyond supporting XMP profiles for automatic overclocking, this kit is fantastic for tweaking and unlocking additional performance without spending anything extra.

Frequently Asked Questions