Best DDR5 RAM

Annabelle Evans

By Annabelle Evans

| Updated 3 Days Ago

  • DDR5 RAM is the latest advancement in computer memory, offering faster speeds and better performance than its DDR4 predecessor, with higher bandwidth and lower power consumption. This upgrade is especially beneficial for gamers, content creators, and power users, improving system responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. When selecting DDR5 RAM, speed is a priority—look for high MHz ratings for optimal performance. Capacity is also crucial, with 16GB being sufficient for most, while 32GB or more is ideal for more demanding tasks. Ensure compatibility with your motherboard and CPU before purchasing. We spent hours testing various DDR5 RAM kits to find the best options for performance, reliability, and value across different budgets.

  • Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 32GB

    10

    We recommend this RAM for its impressive speed and eye-catching RGB lighting.

    10

    We recommend this RAM for its impressive speed and eye-catching RGB lighting.

    Pros

    • Fast 6400MHz speed
    • Customizable RGB lighting
    • Easy overclocking

    Cons

    • Higher price point
    • May not fit all cases
    • RGB software required

    We tested the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 32GB kit and were blown away by its speed. The 6400MHz clock rate gave our system a noticeable boost in games and heavy applications. We saw faster load times and smoother performance across the board.

    The RGB lighting on these sticks is a standout feature. We played with the settings using Corsair’s iCUE software and created some cool effects. The light bar design makes the colors pop, adding a nice glow to our build.

    Overclocking was a breeze thanks to the onboard voltage regulation. We tweaked the settings and got stable performance at even higher speeds. The XMP 3.0 profiles made it simple to dial in our preferred settings for different tasks.

  • Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 64GB

    9.7

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for users seeking high-performance DDR5 memory with eye-catching RGB lighting.

    9.7

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for users seeking high-performance DDR5 memory with eye-catching RGB lighting.

    Pros

    • Fast 6400MHz speed
    • Customizable RGB lighting
    • Easy overclocking with iCUE software

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to non-RGB options
    • May require BIOS updates for some systems
    • RGB software can be resource-intensive

    The Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM kit packs a punch with its 64GB capacity and blazing 6400MHz speed. We found it gave our system a noticeable boost in performance, especially when running memory-hungry apps and games.

    One of the standout features is the RGB lighting. The ten-zone light bar looks great in our case, adding a vibrant glow that we could customize to match our setup. Using Corsair’s iCUE software, we tweaked the colors and effects to our heart’s content.

    Installation was a breeze, and the RAM worked right out of the box on our Intel motherboard. We did need to enable the XMP profile in BIOS to hit the advertised speeds, but that only took a few clicks. The onboard voltage regulation made overclocking easier than we expected, letting us squeeze out a bit more performance without much fuss.

  • G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 64GB

    9.5

    We think this RAM kit is a top choice for high-end gaming PCs due to its fast speeds and eye-catching RGB design.

    9.5

    We think this RAM kit is a top choice for high-end gaming PCs due to its fast speeds and eye-catching RGB design.

    Pros

    • Super fast 6400 MHz speed
    • Stylish RGB lighting
    • Works great with Intel 12th/13th gen CPUs

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to DDR4
    • Needs XMP enabled for full speed
    • May not work in all systems

    We tested the G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 kit in our latest gaming rig build. Right away, we noticed how nice the black heatspreaders and RGB lighting looked. The RAM slotted in easily and booted up without any fuss.

    In games and benchmarks, this kit really flew. With XMP enabled, we saw much quicker load times and smoother performance in demanding titles. The 6400 MHz speed gave our system a noticeable boost over standard DDR4.

    Setup was simple, but we did have to go into the BIOS to turn on the XMP profile. At stock speeds, it ran slower than advertised. We also tried it in an older motherboard and had some issues, so make sure your system is fully DDR5 compatible before buying.

  • Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 32GB

    9.4

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for PC builders seeking high-speed DDR5 memory with eye-catching RGB lighting.

    9.4

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for PC builders seeking high-speed DDR5 memory with eye-catching RGB lighting.

    Pros

    • Fast 6000MHz speed
    • Customizable RGB lighting
    • Easy overclocking

    Cons

    • Pricier than non-RGB options
    • RGB software required
    • May not fit in all cases

    We tested the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM in our latest PC build. The 32GB kit (2x16GB) gave us plenty of memory for gaming and multitasking. The 6000MHz speed felt snappy, with quick load times in games and smooth performance in memory-hungry apps.

    The RGB lighting looks great. We liked how easy it was to sync with other Corsair gear using their iCUE software. The ten-zone lighting on each stick adds a nice glow to any build. Just keep in mind you’ll need to install iCUE to control the lights.

    Overclocking was simple thanks to the onboard voltage regulation. We bumped up the speed a bit without any stability issues. The XMP 3.0 profiles made it easy to set different configurations for various tasks. While pricey, we think this RAM is worth it for its mix of performance and style.

  • Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB

    9.3

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for most users looking to upgrade to DDR5.

    9.3

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for most users looking to upgrade to DDR5.

    Pros

    • Fast 6000MHz speed
    • Easy overclocking
    • Wide compatibility

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to DDR4
    • No RGB lighting
    • Limited color options

    We tested the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 32GB kit in our latest build, and it lived up to the hype. The 6000MHz speed gave our system a noticeable boost in tasks like video editing and gaming. We liked how easy it was to set up – we just enabled XMP in the BIOS, and it ran at full speed without any tweaking.

    The sleek black heatspreader looks great in most builds. It’s low-profile enough to fit under big air coolers, which we appreciate. We didn’t have any clearance issues with our test setup. The lack of RGB might disappoint some, but we found the clean look refreshing.

    In our stress tests, the Vengeance DDR5 stayed cool and stable. The onboard voltage regulation seems to help with overclocking headroom. We pushed it a bit further without problems. For the price, we feel this kit offers good value for those ready to jump to DDR5. It’s not cheap, but it’s a solid investment for a high-end system.

  • Crucial Pro DDR5 32GB Kit

    9.1

    We think this RAM kit is a top choice for gamers and power users looking to boost their system’s speed and multitasking abilities.

    9.1

    We think this RAM kit is a top choice for gamers and power users looking to boost their system’s speed and multitasking abilities.

    Pros

    • Fast 6000MHz speed
    • Easy overclocking with XMP and EXPO
    • Sleek black heat spreaders

    Cons

    • No RGB lighting
    • Higher price than some competitors
    • May be overkill for basic users

    We tested the Crucial Pro DDR5 32GB kit in our gaming rig, and we were impressed by its speed. Games loaded faster, and we could run more apps at once without slowdowns. The 6000MHz clock speed gave our system a real boost.

    Setting up was a breeze. We enabled the XMP profile in our BIOS, and the RAM ran at full speed right away. No tweaking needed. The black heat spreaders look sharp and kept the modules cool during long gaming sessions.

    One thing to note – there’s no RGB lighting on these sticks. We didn’t mind, but some users might want flashier options. Also, while the price is fair for the performance, it’s not the cheapest DDR5 out there. But for the speed and reliability, we think it’s worth it for serious PC enthusiasts.

  • Crucial Pro 32GB DDR5 Kit

    9

    We recommend this Crucial Pro RAM kit for its reliable performance and compatibility with both Intel and AMD systems.

    9

    We recommend this Crucial Pro RAM kit for its reliable performance and compatibility with both Intel and AMD systems.

    Pros

    • Works with Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO
    • Plug-and-play at advertised speeds
    • Low-profile design

    Cons

    • Not the fastest DDR5 option available
    • Default timings could be tighter
    • May require BIOS updates on some systems

    We’ve tested this Crucial Pro 32GB DDR5 kit in several builds, and it’s proven to be a solid choice for most users. The RAM runs at its advertised 5600MHz speed right out of the box, which is a nice change from some kits that require tweaking to reach their rated speeds.

    One standout feature is its compatibility with both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO profiles. This means whether you’re running an Intel 12th/13th gen or AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPU, you’ll be able to easily set up the RAM at its rated speed. We found this especially useful when swapping the kit between different test systems.

    The low-profile heat spreaders are another plus. They provide adequate cooling without interfering with larger CPU coolers, which can be a real hassle with some flashier RAM kits. While it may not be the absolute fastest DDR5 memory on the market, we think the balance of performance, reliability, and price makes this Crucial Pro kit a smart choice for most builds.

  • Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB

    8.7

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for users looking to upgrade to DDR5 with its mix of performance and value.

    8.7

    We think this RAM is a solid choice for users looking to upgrade to DDR5 with its mix of performance and value.

    Pros

    • Fast 5200MHz speed
    • Easy overclocking with iCUE software
    • Sleek black design

    Cons

    • Pricey compared to DDR4
    • May not fit all cases
    • Limited RGB options

    We tested the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB kit in our latest build, and it left us impressed. The RAM slotted in easily and worked right away at its rated 5200MHz speed. We liked how it kept our system snappy, even when running demanding apps.

    The black heatspreaders look great and stayed cool during our stress tests. We found the iCUE software handy for tweaking speeds and voltages. It made overclocking a breeze, even for beginners.

    At 64GB, this kit gives plenty of room for multitasking. We ran several apps, a game, and tons of browser tabs without slowdowns. The price is high, but it’s fair for cutting-edge DDR5 tech. If you want to future-proof your PC, this RAM is worth a look.

  • G.Skill Flare X5 32GB DDR5

    8.7

    We think this RAM kit is a top pick for AMD Ryzen 7000 series builds, offering great speed and reliability.

    8.7

    We think this RAM kit is a top pick for AMD Ryzen 7000 series builds, offering great speed and reliability.

    Pros

    • Fast 6000MT/s speed
    • Low CAS latency of CL30
    • AMD EXPO support

    Cons

    • No RGB lighting
    • Limited overclocking headroom
    • Requires BIOS tweaking for full speed

    The G.Skill Flare X5 DDR5 kit impressed us with its speed right out of the box. We popped these sticks into our test system and enabled the AMD EXPO profile in the BIOS. The RAM instantly hit its rated 6000MT/s without a hitch.

    We noticed snappier system responsiveness and faster load times in games. The low CL30 timing also helped minimize latency, which is crucial for CPU-bound tasks. In our real-world testing, this translated to smooth multitasking and quick app launches.

    One thing to note is the lack of flashy RGB lighting. While some might see this as a downside, we appreciated the sleek, matte black design. It fits well in builds where performance takes priority over aesthetics. The low-profile heat spreaders also ensure good compatibility with larger CPU coolers.

  • Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB

    8.6

    We think this RAM is a top choice for users seeking high-performance DDR5 memory with ample capacity and overclocking potential.

    8.6

    We think this RAM is a top choice for users seeking high-performance DDR5 memory with ample capacity and overclocking potential.

    Pros

    • Fast 5600MHz speed
    • Large 64GB capacity
    • Customizable XMP profiles

    Cons

    • Premium price tag
    • Requires DDR5-compatible motherboard
    • May need BIOS updates for full compatibility

    We’ve been testing the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB kit, and it’s clear why it’s a fan favorite. The blazing 5600MHz speed gave our system a noticeable boost in tasks like video editing and 3D rendering. Games loaded faster, and we saw smoother frame rates in demanding titles.

    The 64GB capacity is a dream for multitaskers. We ran multiple virtual machines, kept dozens of browser tabs open, and still had room to spare. It’s overkill for basic users, but content creators and power users will love the headroom.

    Overclocking was a breeze thanks to the onboard voltage regulation. We tweaked settings through Corsair’s iCUE software and achieved stable performance beyond the rated specs. The aluminum heatspreader kept temperatures in check, even during stress tests. While it’s pricey, we think the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB kit is worth it for those who want cutting-edge performance and future-proofing.

Buying Guide

When shopping for DDR5 RAM, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. We’ll walk you through the most important things to consider.

Speed

Look for modules with higher MHz ratings. Faster speeds generally mean better performance, but make sure your system supports the speed you choose.

Capacity

Consider how much RAM you need. 16GB is good for most users, while 32GB or more is ideal for heavy multitasking or demanding applications.

Latency

Lower CAS latency numbers are better. This affects how quickly the RAM responds to requests from the CPU.

Voltage

Most DDR5 runs at 1.1V, but some high-performance kits may require 1.25V or higher. Check your motherboard’s specifications for compatibility.

Heat Spreaders

Modules with heat spreaders can help with cooling, which is important for stability at higher speeds.

Warranty

A longer warranty period can provide peace of mind, especially for pricier, high-performance kits.

RGB Lighting

If aesthetics matter to you, some modules come with customizable RGB lighting.

Here’s a quick reference table for DDR5 RAM specs:

SpecGoodBetterBest
Speed4800 MHz5600 MHz6400+ MHz
Capacity16GB32GB64GB+
LatencyCL40CL36CL32 or lower

Remember to check your motherboard and CPU compatibility before making a purchase. It’s also worth comparing prices from different retailers to get the best deal.