DDR4 RAM Buying Guide – November 2022

Introduction

RAM is one of the most overlooked parts in a PC. However, it is incredibly important to how your PC functions. Simply put, RAM stores data from every open program to quickly access it because RAM is several orders of magnitude faster to access than any normal storage device. We don’t use DRAM for general purpose storage just because it is very expensive and volatile, which means that when your PC turns off, all of the data that is stored is erased.

Buying RAM can actually be very simple for most people. Get the capacity you want, speed you want, and whatever looks nice to you. However, if you want to overclock it, or want to make sure your RAM has good compatibility and stability, you need to research the kits for what RAM die they’re based on, so you know how it overclocks, how well binned the die is so you have an idea how far you can push it, and if it has a built-in temp sensor, which is a godsend for temperature sensitive dies like Samsung B-die.

To help out with picking the RAM we have split them into several categories for each capacity:

  1. Budget – Inexpensive RAM that does the job, don’t expect great overclocking headroom or high speeds
  2. Value overclocking – Best bang-for-your-buck when it comes to overclocking headroom, optimal for those who just want good performance at a good price
  3. High end – If you want the absolute maximum performance you can get, want to try out extreme overclocking, or just want to burn some extra money, get yourself a high end kit of RAM

Our Picks:

8GB16GB32GB

- Budget RAM

Patriot Viper 4 Blackout

Inexpensive and reliable, perfect for those who don't need a ton of capacity.

Buy Viper 4 Blackout
Pros:
  • Monochrome color scheme doesn't stand out
Cons:
  • Suffers in gaming and productivity workloads due to low capacity.
  • Low overclocking potential
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x4GB
  • Frequency: 3000MT/s
  • Timings: 16-18-18-38
  • Voltage: 1.35V

We do not recommend spending more than this on an 8GB kit.

- Budget RAM

Silicon Power Gaming

Inexpensive and reliable, perfect for the budget-conscious gamer or low-power workstation user

Buy Gaming
Pros:
  • Inexpensive
  • Great for budget gaming systems and other non RAM-intensive workloads
  • Great price/GB proposition
Cons:
  • Low overclocking potential
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x8GB
  • Frequency: 3200MT/s
  • Timings: 16-18-18-38
  • Voltage: 1.35V

Klevv CRAS X RGB

Inexpensive and has RGB, great for the budget-conscious user who wants a little bling in their system.

Buy CRAS X RGB
Pros:
  • Inexpensive
  • Has RGB lighting
Cons:
  • Low overclocking potential
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x8GB
  • Frequency: 3200MT/s
  • Timings: 16-18-18-38
  • Voltage: 1.35V

- Value Overclocking RAM

G.skill Ripjaws V

Cheap overclocking kit that works especially well on Intel platforms.

Buy Ripjaws V
Pros:
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Hynix CJR inside
  • Above average overclocking and tuning potential
  • Great for achieving decent performance
Cons:
  • Timings will not tighten as well as B-die
  • 8Gbit CJR usually clockwalls at 4000MT/s
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x8GB
  • Frequency: 3600MT/s
  • Timings: 16-19-19-39
  • Voltage: 1.35V

- High End Overclocking RAM

Patriot Viper Steel Cl19 4000MT/s

Great performance, even at XMP. Overclocks very well

Buy Viper Steel 4000 CL19
Pros:
  • Guaranteed bin of Samsung B-die
  • Great overclocking potential
  • Timings can be tightened a fair bit
  • Grey color scheme does not stand out
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Lacks dedicated temperature sensor
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x8GB
  • Frequency: 4000MT/s
  • Timings: 19-19-19-39
  • Voltage: 1.35V

Patriot Viper Steel Cl16 4000MT/s

Like the above kit, but better.

Buy Viper Steel 4000 CL16
Pros:
  • Guaranteed good bin of Samsung B-die
  • Great overclocking potential
  • Timings can be tightened a fair bit
  • Grey color scheme does not stand out
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Lacks dedicated temperature sensor
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x8GB
  • Frequency: 4000MT/s
  • Timings: 16-16-16-36
  • Voltage: 1.45V

HP V10 RGB

Nice black and white design, subtle RGB and very good overclocking headroom makes these a beast.

Buy V10 RGB
Pros:
  • Guaranteed good bin of Samsung B-die
  • Great overclocking potential
  • Timings can be tightened a fair bit
  • Has RGB lighting
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • RGB impacts overclocking potential when turned on
  • Lacks dedicated temperature sensor
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x8GB
  • Frequency: 3200MT/s
  • Timings: 14-14-14-34
  • Voltage: 1.35V

- Budget RAM

Silicon Power Gaming

No frills, inexpensive and works great!

Buy SP Gaming
Pros:
  • Inexpensive
  • Great for more RAM-intensive workloads like video editing and rendering
Cons:
  • Low overclocking potential
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x16GB
  • Frequency: 3200MT/s
  • Timings: 16-18-18-38
  • Voltage: 1.35V

Team Group Delta RGB

Inexpensive and has RGB, great for the budget-conscious user who wants a little bling in their system.

Buy Delta RGB
Pros:
  • Inexpensive
  • Has RGB lighting
  • Great for more RAM-intensive workloads like video editing and rendering
Cons:
  • Low overclocking potential
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x16GB
  • Frequency: 3200MT/s
  • Timings: 16-18-18-38
  • Voltage: 1.35V

- Value Overclocking RAM

G.skill Ripjaws V

Cheap overclocking kit that works especially well on Intel platforms.

Buy Ripjaws V
Pros:
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Hynix DJR inside
  • Above average frequency overclocking potential
  • Great for achieving decent performance
Cons:
  • DJR timings rarely tighten with increased voltage
  • Limited tuning potential on Ryzen systems
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x16GB
  • Frequency: 4000MT/s
  • Timings: 18-22-22-42
  • Voltage: 1.4V

G.skill Trident Z RGB

High capacity, fancy lights and great potential!

Buy Trident Z RGB
Pros:
  • Guaranteed dual rank Hynix DJR
  • Built-in temperature sensor (unless you ask G.Skill)
  • Above average frequency overclocking potential
  • Has RGB lighting
Cons:
  • DJR timings rarely tighten with increased voltage
  • Limited tuning potential on Ryzen systems
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x16GB
  • Frequency: 4000MT/s
  • Timings: 18-22-22-42
  • Voltage: 1.4V

- High End Overclocking RAM

HP V10 RGB

RGB, great overclocking and a nice subtle design. What more can you want

Buy V10 RGB
Pros:
  • Guaranteed good bin of Samsung B-die
  • Great overclocking potential
  • Great for more RAM-intensive workloads like video editing and rendering
  • Has RGB lighting
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • RGB impacts overclocking performance potential when turned on
Specs:
  • Capacity: 2x16GB
  • Frequency: 3200MT/s
  • Timings: 14-14-14-34
  • Voltage: 1.35V

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