What’s the secret to a high-performing gaming PC? It’s often the RAM! Having the right amount and type of memory is absolutely essential to get the most out of your system. If your PC has insufficient RAM, your favorite games and applications will struggle, leading to frustrating slowdowns. The good news is that RAM prices are quite low right now, so you don’t need to break the bank to significantly boost your PC’s capabilities. We’ve hand-picked the best options available to fit any modern gaming system.
Our top pick for overall gaming RAM is the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RGB. It’s compatible with all current AMD and Intel CPU systems, offering an excellent blend of speed, value, and vibrant RGB lighting. If you’re still on an older DDR4 system, the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro is our premier choice. For a wider selection, including budget-friendly and laptop-specific options, keep reading. If you’re unsure what you need, our “How to Choose” section will help you pinpoint the perfect gaming RAM, and our FAQ addresses all your burning questions.
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Best Gaming RAM 2025:
- Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RGB – best DDR5 for most
- Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 – best DDR5 for AMD
- Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 – high-end DDR5
- G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5 – best laptop DDR5
- Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro – best RGB DDR4
- Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 – best budget DDR4
Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RGB
Best DDR5 RAM for gaming
Kingston hit the market at precisely the right moment with this memory, which combines excellent lighting and aesthetics with a sensible price tag. Though it’s been available for a couple of years, the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RGB continues to impress, largely thanks to recent price reductions.
The Fury Beast is available in dual-channel 16GB (2 x 8GB) or 32GB (2 x 16GB) kits, as well as quad-channel kits. However, for most users, we recommend opting for a dual-channel setup.
We particularly love the bright and vivid lighting on the Fury Beast’s heatsinks. It not only synchronizes seamlessly with Kingston’s own highly capable CTRL software but also plays nicely with RGB software from all the major gaming motherboard manufacturers, including Asus, MSI, Gigabyte, and ASRock.
During our review, we tested a 6,000MHz kit and successfully overclocked it to 6,200MHz, squeezing out even more performance. It’s worth noting that our test kit had somewhat loose CL40 timings; we now recommend choosing a CL36 kit, especially given their current affordability.
Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RGB specifications:
| Memory type | DDR5 |
| Effective frequency | 6,000MHz |
| Voltage | 1.35V |
| Height (from base) | 42mm |
Pros
- Decent value for money
- 16GB kits available
- Great RGB lighting
Cons
- Lots of similar competition now
- Loose timings on some kits
Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5
Best DDR5 RAM for AMD systems
Initially, we had some reservations about Corsair’s first DDR5 RAM offerings, which seemed to only feature basic non-RGB kits on one end and super-premium Dominator RAM on the other. Thankfully, the company eventually found a sweet spot, and the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 has emerged as a robust line of gaming RAM.
This memory is particularly advantageous if you’re running an AMD Socket AM5 system with either a Ryzen 7000 or 9000 series CPU, such as the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. These kits boast support for AMD’s EXPO profile technology.
Similar to Intel’s XMP system, EXPO allows your AMD motherboard to automatically detect and apply the kit’s optimal rated speeds and timings with just a few clicks in your BIOS. We were also pleasantly surprised to discover that our 6,000MHz test kit included an additional overclocked EXPO profile, letting it run at 6,200MHz flawlessly in our tests. The only minor drawback is that EXPO-supported RAM often comes at a higher price than comparable Intel kits.
Speaking of Intel, you can also purchase Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM with Intel XMP 3.0 support. We were thoroughly impressed with its performance in our DDR4 vs. DDR5 comparison. A 6,000MHz kit, when paired with our Core i9 14900K test rig and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, delivered an average of 190fps in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, significantly outperforming the 157fps achieved with the same core setup using 3,600MHz DDR4 RAM.
While the RGB lighting on this RAM isn’t as intensely vibrant as that on the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RGB, it still looks fantastic, and Corsair’s iCUE software provides extensive control over colors and effects. This is a solid RGB DDR5 RAM kit, especially ideal for AMD Socket AM5 setups.
Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 specifications:
| Memory type | DDR5 |
| Effective frequnecy | 6,000MHz |
| Voltage | 1.4V |
| Height (from base) | 45mm |
Pros
- Classy appearance
- AMD EXPO support
- Comparatively low profile
Cons
- RGB lighting could be brighter
- EXPO support costs more money
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5
Best high-end DDR5 RAM for gaming
Corsair’s premium DDR5 modules initially faced a bumpy launch with excessively high prices and modest speeds. Fortunately, prices have since plummeted, and a broad spectrum of speeds is now readily available.
While this Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB memory remains more expensive than standard RGB DDR5 sticks, it offers several compelling advantages. Chief among them are the stunning, substantial heatsinks that not only look impressive but also provide exceptional cooling. In our tests, this RAM peaked at a mere 49°C, making it the coolest DDR5 kit we’ve ever encountered.
The only potential drawback is the height of these imposing heatsinks, measuring 55mm. You’ll need to verify that your chosen CPU cooler provides sufficient clearance to accommodate them within your case. These are definitely not low-profile modules.
The RGB lighting is also fantastic, with Corsair’s individual Capellix LEDs delivering a bright and striking light show. There’s no light diffusion here, so you’ll see the distinct LEDs rather than a continuous strip, but if that’s the aesthetic you’re aiming for, the lighting is superb.
Among the available speeds, we recommend a fast kit with tight timings if you’re investing in premium RAM. An effective frequency of 6,000MHz with 30-36-36-76 timings represents the sweet spot. Corsair’s CMT32GX5M2B6000C30 kit, for instance, offers this for Intel systems. While it comes at a premium, the price difference has thankfully become less significant.
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 specifications:
| Memory type | DDR5 |
| Effective frequency | 6,000MHz |
| Voltage | 1.4V |
| Height (from base) | 55mm |
Pros
- Superb lighting control software
- Great cooling
- Classy appearance
Cons
- Expensive
- Tall modules can clash with some CPU coolers
G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5
Best DDR5 RAM for gaming laptops.
On the surface, upgrading laptop memory might seem much simpler than dealing with desktop RAM. There’s less concern about RGB lighting for modules hidden beneath a laptop’s keyboard, and heatsinks are a lesser consideration. However, before you dive in, it’s crucial to research what type of RAM your specific laptop supports.
Some premium gaming laptop models, like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, utilize soldered RAM, meaning you cannot replace it. Others may have soldered RAM alongside a SODIMM slot, requiring you to carefully match your new RAM with the existing modules. Gaining access to your laptop’s RAM SODIMM slots isn’t always straightforward either, often involving removing multiple tiny screws and sometimes even heatsinks and ribbon cables.
Once you’ve confirmed your upgrade options and how to proceed, you can select your memory. If your laptop features two SODIMM slots, we advise removing your current memory and replacing it with a new dual-channel kit. This G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5 RAM is perfectly suited for this task, offering a wide range of speeds at very competitive prices.
For most users with DDR5 needs, we recommend a 32GB (2 x 16GB) kit, operating at 5,600MHz with CL40 latency timings. G.Skill’s F5-5600S4040A16GX2-RS kit is an excellent choice, but this series also offers many other configurations, including single modules and speeds ranging from 4,800MHz to 6,000MHz.
G.Skill Ripjaws DDR5 specifications:
| Memory type | DDR5 |
| Effective frequency | 5,600MHz |
| Voltage | 1.1V |
| Form factor | SODIMM |
Pros
- Wide range of speeds
- Intel XMP 3.0 support
- Great value
Cons
- Won’t work in all laptops
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro
Best RGB DDR4 RAM for gaming
This long-standing favorite in the gaming RAM arena remains a top contender for upgrading a DDR4 system, especially at its current attractive prices. If your PC currently runs on only 16GB of RAM, upgrading to a 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro kit will dramatically enhance your PC’s multitasking capabilities, all for well under $100.
This isn’t just basic RAM either; it features a sleek diffuser strip atop its RGB LEDs, all controllable through Corsair’s excellent iCUE software. A unique advantage of this memory is the availability of dummy modules, which cost significantly less than actual memory modules. This allows you to fill all four of your motherboard’s slots, creating a spectacular light show around your CPU area without needing to buy full, functional sticks.
In our tests, the 32GB 3,600MHz CMW32GX4M2D3600C18 version proved to be a robust option in real-world benchmarks, and we successfully overclocked it to 3,866MHz for a slight speed boost.
The only minor downside is that these DIMMs are quite tall at 51mm. We advise measuring the space around your memory slots before purchase to ensure they won’t interfere with your CPU cooler fan or the radiator of your all-in-one liquid cooler if it’s mounted at the top of your PC case. For AMD Socket AM4 rigs with only 16GB of RAM, this memory offers an affordable and visually appealing upgrade to 32GB.
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro specifications:
| Memory type | DDR4 |
| Effective frequency | 3,600MHz |
| Voltage | 1.35V |
| Height (from base) | 51mm |
Pros
- Great lighting software
- Generous price
- Dummy RGB modules available
Cons
- Modules are quite tall
- Aging design
- DDR4 is on its way out now
Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4
Best budget DDR4 RAM for gaming
We’ve frequently incorporated Corsair Vengeance LPX RAM into our PC build features for a simple reason: it’s affordable, reliable, and boasts an exceptionally low profile. With a module height of just 34mm (or 33.5mm to be exact), you’ll have no trouble fitting this memory beneath an overhanging fan of your CPU cooler.
While it lacks RGB lighting, if you’re not concerned about elaborate light shows behind tempered glass panels, this isn’t an issue. What truly matters is that these compact modules are compatible with a wide array of gaming PC systems from the past few years, and they deliver solid performance.
Our testing confirms both of these points. Unlike some budget memory options, these aren’t just bare PCBs; Corsair’s black heatsinks offer a stylishly minimal look, and they’re also available in white. A broad selection of speeds is offered, with specifications now extending up to 4,000MHz kits featuring C18 latency timings.
Currently, we recommend a 3,600MHz dual-channel 32GB (2 x 16GB) kit as the ideal sweet spot. This provides an incredibly cost-effective upgrade for an older AMD Socket AM4 or non-DDR5 Intel system. Thanks to their short height, these LPX modules are also perfect for upgrading a mini gaming PC, provided it uses DDR4 memory.
Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 specifications:
| Memory type | DDR4 |
| Effective frequency | 3,600MHz |
| Voltage | 1.35V |
| Height (from base) | 34mm |
Pros
- Amazing price
- Low profile
- Available in black and white
Cons
- DDR4’s days are numbered
- Basic looks
- No RGB lighting
How to choose the best gaming RAM
Choosing the right RAM for your system ultimately hinges on compatibility. You simply cannot install DDR5 RAM into a DDR4 system, and vice versa. Beyond technical differences, their physical shapes prevent incorrect installation.
If you’re embarking on building a gaming PC from the ground up, we strongly advise opting for a DDR5 RAM system. Neither AMD nor Intel’s newest mainstream gaming CPUs support DDR4 anymore, making DDR5 the clear path forward.
Our tests have also demonstrated that using DDR5 in an Intel 14th-gen system can yield a significant boost in frame rate compared to DDR4. Most CPUs have historically supported either DDR4 or DDR5, but Intel 14th-gen was one of the rare exceptions compatible with both DDR4 and DDR5 motherboards. You can delve deeper into our DDR4 vs DDR5 investigation to learn more.
However, DDR4 still has its merits. If a complete system overhaul isn’t in your budget, but you already possess a capable AMD Ryzen 5000 or Intel 13th-gen system with DDR4 RAM, upgrading from 16GB to 32GB or to faster memory is a highly worthwhile investment. Your PC will handle multiple applications simultaneously without grinding to a halt, and this upgrade won’t cost you a fortune.
While selecting new RAM for gaming might not deliver the same adrenaline rush as choosing your next graphics card or gaming CPU, ensuring you have the correct system memory is crucial for building a gaming PC that will endure. Plus, let’s be honest, many of the latest RGB modules also look fantastic, adding vibrant lighting accents to the often understated motherboard area adjacent to your CPU.
Gaming RAM frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is RAM?
RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory (often simply called memory), serves as the primary storage location for data actively used by your CPU while applications are running. Your CPU constantly reads and writes data to and from RAM to ensure your applications function smoothly. This is distinct from hard drives and SSDs, which are designed for long-term data storage.
When your PC boots up or you launch an application, data is retrieved from your long-term storage and temporarily held in RAM. If your PC lacks sufficient RAM and is forced to repeatedly access data from slower long-term storage, it can drastically impede performance or even cause your system to crash, as RAM is many times faster. This highlights why having enough RAM is critical – it primarily mitigates slowdowns and crashes rather than dramatically increasing raw speed.
How much RAM do I need for gaming?
Ideally, you should aim for 32GB of RAM for PC gaming. More RAM in your system means your CPU spends less time retrieving data from your slower SSD. While you rarely see substantial frame rate increases solely from having more RAM (unless you’re upgrading from a very small amount), your PC will likely boot faster, load applications and games more quickly, and switch between tasks with greater fluidity. Furthermore, adequate RAM can help prevent crashes caused by your system running out of memory.
In practical terms, this translates to less waiting when you exit a game, for instance. You can instantly jump between multiple browser tabs and then seamlessly transition to Photoshop without any tabs or applications unexpectedly refreshing or going blank. It primarily enhances the overall usability of your PC rather than purely gaming performance as traditionally measured. That said, in some cases, extra RAM can be the difference between a game being playable or not, ensuring smooth performance free from sudden frame rate drops or pauses during loading screens.
We consider 16GB to be the absolute minimum for 2025. This amount is sufficient for gaming and provides just enough overhead for Windows and a few simultaneously open software applications. However, we now recommend 32GB as the sweet spot, especially if you frequently have numerous browser tabs open and multiple apps running alongside your games. Upgrading to 32GB is also much more affordable now, with kits available for well under $100.
How many RAM modules do I need?
You should use two RAM modules in your gaming PC. This is because all mainstream Intel and AMD gaming CPUs support dual-channel memory. This technology interweaves the memory banks on two modules to increase bandwidth, allowing your memory to communicate with your CPU more efficiently. While you can install just one RAM module, your system will perform notably faster with two.
This is precisely why most desktop memory is sold in matched pairs. Unless you’re upgrading to an identical type of RAM (matching manufacturer, speed, capacity, and latency) already present in your system, there’s no guarantee that a new module will integrate smoothly with your existing memory. For this reason, we highly recommend purchasing an entirely new dual-channel kit when upgrading your PC’s RAM, and then selling your old RAM to offset some of the cost.
Is RAM speed important for gaming?
Yes, RAM speed is important for gaming, but there are diminishing returns beyond a certain point. In our tests, we observed significant performance leaps when transitioning from a 3,600MHz DDR4 kit to a 6,000MHz DDR5 kit, for example. However, the performance difference becomes less pronounced when moving up to 6,400MHz or higher.
When testing with Assassin’s Creed Mirage, a game highly responsive to RAM speed, upgrading from 6,000MHz to 6,400MHz increased the average frame rate from 190fps to 199fps. Pushing it further to 6,600MHz yielded a modest increase to 202fps. In contrast, the 3,600MHz DDR4 system with the same core specifications only averaged 157fps. Considering current prices, we recommend a 6,000MHz kit as the optimal sweet spot. While you can achieve slightly more gaming performance from even faster RAM, you’ll generally get better value by allocating that extra budget towards a more powerful GPU.
Another crucial factor is latency, which measures how quickly a RAM module responds to read/write commands. These are represented by the hyphenated numbers often listed on memory modules, collectively known as “timings.” There are typically three or four such numbers, with a single overarching number (e.g., CL30) summarizing the overall latency. For instance, the Corsair kit mentioned is listed as CL30-36-36-76, or simply CL30. Lower numbers indicate better performance.
We’ve found that latency has less impact on gaming performance than clock speed, but it still plays a role. Prioritize clock speed first, then opt for a kit with tighter timings if the cost difference isn’t too substantial. A 6,000MHz kit with CL36 timings is an excellent target.
What is DDR5 memory?
DDR5 memory is the latest memory standard, compatible with the current generation of Intel and AMD CPUs. It boasts significantly higher effective clock speeds than DDR4 memory, though it also comes with higher inherent latency.
Upon its initial release, DDR5 RAM was prohibitively expensive. However, its price has since dropped dramatically, to the point where it’s only slightly more costly than DDR4.
Our comprehensive tests have consistently shown that DDR5 RAM offers a distinct advantage over DDR4 in gaming. Therefore, if you are configuring a new system today, we strongly recommend choosing this newer memory standard.
If you’ve discovered that your RAM upgrade requires a new CPU and motherboard, be sure to consult our guides for the best gaming CPU and best gaming motherboard to help you make informed choices.