Random-access memory (RAM for short) is an integral part of any gaming PC. System memory stores data for quick access by the CPU and other components. Think of it as a supercharged SSD. The faster the RAM (and more you have available), the better the performance you'll enjoy with resource-intensive games and software. To help you find the best memory kit for your build, I'll run you through my best DDR5 RAM picks for gaming.
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Best overall
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 RAM
- Brand
- G.Skill
- Size
- 32GB, 48GB, 64GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- ~8,000 MT/s
- RGB
- Yes
- Latency
- ~CL34
G.Skill makes some of the best-looking RAM on the market and the Trident Z5 RGB also happens to perform extremely well in-game. You'll be able to grab modules with some ridiculously high speeds, providing plenty of gaming bandwidth.
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Also great
ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5 RAM
- Brand
- ADATA
- Size
- 16GB, 32GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- ~7,200 MT/s
- RGB
- Yes
Another one of our favorite RAM kits is the XPG Lancer from ADATA. This one actually took the top spot in our roundup of the best DDR5 RAM and compares favorably to the G.Skill Trident memory with its 6400 MT/s speeds and CAS latency of 32.
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Best value
Crucial RAM DDR5
- Brand
- Micron
- Size
- 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- 4800, 5200, 5600 MT/s
- RGB
- No
- Latency
- 40, 42, 46
If you're on a tighter budget, I'd recommend this Crucial kit, which offers DDR5-5600 speeds and 32GB of capacity. It won't win awards for performance, but you likely won't be able to tell the difference in many PC titles.
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Premium pick
Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5
Move aside 32GB and 64GB RAM kits. Corsair's Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit with a whopping 128GB capacity is entering the fight. This is only required for heavier software and resource demand.
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Best design
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5
- Brand
- Corsair
- Size
- 16GB, 32GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- 5200, 5600, 6000 MT/s
- RGB
- Yes
- Latency
- 30, 36, 40
Looks are entirely subjective, but I adore the way the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 modules look. The build quality feels as impressive as the available speeds and you will not be disappointed with the RGB lighting effects.
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Great for Intel XMP
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM
- Brand
- Corsair
- Size
- 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 96GB, 192GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- ~7,000MT/s
- RGB
- No
Corsair's Vengeance RAM offers great performance for Intel builds thanks to its XMP compatibility. It's positioned well with a good selection of speeds and capacities, allowing you to kit out your gaming rig with solid memory.
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Best low-profile
Kingston Fury Beast DDR5
- Brand
- Kingston
- Size
- 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- ~6,000 MT/s
- RGB
- No
Are you building a system with limited internal space? Kingston's Fury Beast DDR5 RAM may be just what you require with its compact dimensions. These modules may not be as flashy as other kits, but they're just as fast.
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Best for gaming
TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 Memory
- Brand
- TeamGroup
- Size
- 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
- Technology
- DDR5
- Speed
- ~8,000 MT/s
- RGB
- Yes
This TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR5 RAM kit offers two modules with striking designs and massive RGB diffusers atop the heat spreaders. Performance is good and the timings aren't too bad either, making them great for gaming.
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Best laptop DDR5
G.Skill RipJaws SODIMM
Laptops can game, too, and you need good RAM for that. The G.Skill RipJaws is our favorite SODIMM DDR5 memory for laptops thanks to its wide compatibility and snappy 5600MT/s speeds. Plus, it's a pretty solid value.
Choosing the best gaming DDR5 RAM
Any kit from my collection of recommendations will be great DDR5 RAM for gaming. The latest PC games will happily run on any DDR5 kit with compatible AMD and Intel processors. My favorite choice is G.SKILL's Trident Z5 RGB. Not only do these modules look amazing, but they run very well too. You can even push them further with manual overclocking and configuration to get the most out of the RAM.
However, spending more than $100 on DDR5 RAM is not required. Crucial has a basic kit with two modules, 32GB capacity, and decent speeds for less than $100. The newer generation of system memory is still typically more expensive than DDR4, but 32GB for just south of $100 is a good price to pay for the luxury of faster speeds and other improvements introduced with DDR5.
Memory usually supports Intel XMP and AMD EXPO, which are automated overclocking profiles that can be enabled in UEFI BIOS. While they're generally designed to be used with select chips, it is possible to use Intel XMP-optimized RAM with AMD processors and vice versa.
3 reasons why DDR5 RAM finally makes more sense for your PC
It's time to upgrade to a memory generation of endless possibilities