Best RAM Brands In 2024

Browsing through all the RAM options out there can take forever – there’s seriously thousands of models. Thankfully, some go-to brands keep popping up as the favorites year after year. G Skill, Corsair, Crucial, Patriot and Kingston usually deliver the goods. Another big factor is speed – you’ll wanna aim for DDR4 running at 3600MHz or higher. The faster your RAM clock, the smoother your games will feel cause your PC can blast through loads quicker. Capacity-wise, 16GB is pretty much the bare minimum nowadays. Go for 32GB if you can afford it though, as some beefier new games may start requiring more soon.

Speaking of newer RAM, DDR5 has launched but the pricing is still sky-high for most budgets. Good ol’ reliable DDR4 gives you great performance for the money and works with all the new CPUs. And don’t sweat the little details too much – the shiny metal heatsinks on RAM don’t do anything performance-wise, so save your dollars there.

Corsair Vengeance

A lot of people really swear by this stuff, so it’s definitely earned its reputation as one of the best RAM kits out there. And I can see why – this thing is a beast. Even though its rated speed is 2133MHz, it’ll still run no problem if you wanna push it harder with an overclock. Plus it comes in a low-profile size that’ll fit tight spaces no sweat. I’ve heard nothing but good things about its performance too. Runs buttery smooth for whatever intense games you’re throwing at it. And the solid aluminum heatsink keeps it running cool under pressure.

Some other nice touches are the plug and play XMP profile for easy setup, as well as consistently strong signaling so your PC and RAM are in perfect sync. Honestly, Corsair has been dominating the RAM scene for a long time now. And from everything I’ve heard about their Vengeance line, it totally deserves that top rank. If you’re looking for serious RAM to boost your rig, I’d say the Corsair Vengeance is an absolute beast of a choice that you really can’t go wrong with.

XPG Z1 Memory Modules

For starters, they revamped the design of these sticks with an upgraded PCB and snazzy aluminum heatsink to keep it running cool under intensive workloads. That extra heat dissipation means you can push it harder for longer. I’ve also heard nothing but good things about the raw performance of these memory chips. They’re rated for some seriously extreme speeds straight out of the box. And from what I understand, the low power consumption of the XPG Z1 is no joke. It sips electricity like nobody’s business, so you’ve got way more headroom for overclocking without breaking a sweat.

Between the good looks, speedy specs and efficiency – it’s no wonder so many builders are making the switch. This RAM gives you big performance without the big price tag. So if you’re in the market for a solid, more affordable alternative to the top dogs, the XPG Z1 is definitely worth a long, hard look in my books.

OLOy DDR4 RAM

Most boards these days jive with OLOy, whether you’re rocking an Intel or AMD chip. And for good reason – it’s one of the most widely used RAM sticks out there period. Word is it runs at a solid 3000MHz clock speed right out of the box too. The XMP profile support means your applications and games should fly with little holdup. And as far as capacity goes, you’re getting a respectable 16GB split across two 8GB sticks. More than enough RAM real estate for almost any game or program today.

Best part is I’ve heard nothing but good things from gamers who’ve used OLOy RAM. Whatever you’re playing, from indie titles to AAA blockbusters, it handles it without breaking a sweat. So if reliability and compatibility are what you’re after, and you don’t wanna break the bank, the OLOy DDR4 is a great “set it and forget it” option.

HyperX Fury Black XMP Memory

For starters, that boost clock on these bad boys can stretch all the way up to a creamy 3466MHz speed with next to no effort. So even if you got a wiki open while fragging out, it’ll handle it no probs. And I’ve heard nothing but praise about how well these RAMs hold up under pressure thanks to that heatsink design. Keeps your CPU temps in check no matter how hot your system gets. That sleek low-profile look is the icing on the cake too. Fits snug as a bug in most modern builds no questions asked.

If you’re tryna pump out those FPS in FPS games, these HyperX sticks are precisely engineered to feast. Lightning quick response and rock solid reliability – it’s a match made in high score heaven if you ask me. So if speed and performance without compromise is your bag, you can’t go wrong slapping in some HyperX Fury Black modules. Top shelf RAM, top shelf results – simple.

Silicon Power XPOWER Turbine

We’re talking top of the line speeds without breaking a sweat. Perfect for maxing out your favorite titles. But what I really dig is the full aluminum construction. That heatsink is no joke, keeping these modules ultra cool under intense loads. Overclock to your heart’s content boys. It also jives perfectly with Intel’s Coffee Lake CPUs – a match made in silicon heaven if you will. Cache memory flies, lag be gone.

And Silicon Power always comes through with that premium customer service if you ever need em. Total peace of mind there. Oh, and how could I forget to mention – the latest 3D NAND tech is on board. Future proofing your build for years of buttery gaming to come. If speed, reliability and longevity are what you demand, these XPOWER Turbines should be at the top of your list fellas.

PNY XLR8 Epic-X Memory

Clocking in at a breezy 3200MHz speed right out the gate. But don’t think it’s limited there – these bad boys are backwards compatible too, so you’ve got room to push ’em even faster. I’m telling you, PNY has gained a huge following of rig builders and hardcore gamers worldwide because of sticks like this. Reliable, speedy performance at an affordable price – what more could you want?! And that heat spreader ain’t no joke either. Great thermal management to keep your CPU chilling even under intensive loads. Overclock to your heart’s content boys.

Other nice touches too like RGB syncing through Fusion and XMP profiles for easy setup. Just plug and play bliss. Overall, if you’re trying to maximize value and push your rig to the next level on a budget, these PNY modules should definitely be at the top of your list fellas. Killer choice!

TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan

They rock that sweet TUF Gaming certification. Ain’t no one sturdier when it comes to intense gaming seshs. Another big plus is super low power usage. Saves you money on electricity bills long-term, which is always a nice bonus. And that forged aluminum heatsink is no joke – keeps these modules running cool as a cucumber. Overclock until your heart’s content fellas.

But what really won me over is TEAMGROUP’s smart overclocking tech. Automates the process but still lets you tweak – pure plug and play bliss. Overall you’re getting premium performance without the premium price tag. And with great support from TEAMGROUP too.

Crucial Ballistix Memory Kit

You’re getting full compatibility with the latest AMD and Intel boards straight out the gate. Plug and play on any rig, big or small. And you can rest easy knowing there’s top tier Micron die inside. Only the best silicon from a respected memory manufacturer. Of course, being made by Crucial – a company known worldwide for quality and support – is just the icing. Total peace of mind there. Automatic overclocking is also on tap, protecting your investment as you tweak. Perfect for pushing your clocks to the max.

Overall, these Ballistix modules blend reliability, performance and value in a big way. Kits don’t get much more well-rounded than this. So if compatibility, longevity and tweaking headroom are priorities, these Crucial sticks should be at the top of your RAM wishlist boys. Fantastic choice all around.

G.Skill Trident Z Neo Series

Let me start by saying these modules only use the finest, hand-screened ICs for maximum performance. Leave no chip behind – it shows. They also sport some premium 10-layer PCB technology. Construction this solid is built to last for years of abuse. And with a default 3600MHz speed right out the box, these sticks mean business for gaming. Buttery frames, here we come. While they marry AMD boards like nobody’s business, don’t think Intel is left out either. Universal greatness across platforms.

But for Ryzen in particular? Chef’s kiss – these things sing in sync with red team CPUs. Match made in microchip heaven boys. Oh and that modern, minimalist aesthetic? chef’s kiss Just the icing on an already stacked cake. So if money is no object and you demand the absolute best, these G.Skill Trident Z Neos should be at the top of your RAM wishlist fellas. Premium, through and through.

Kingston Technology HyperX Impact

They sip power like nobody’s business. Extremely low voltage means very little heat produced – your rig and components stay chill no matter what. Thanks to that compact footprint, they slide into virtually any modern build with zero issues. Form AND function in one tidy package. And that automatic 2133MHz OC out the gate, with hassle-free plug and play up to 1.35v? chef’s kiss Couldn’t ask for easier setup and use.

Overall Kingston hammers home amazing value here. Top tier specs and compatibility without breaking the budget. If you prioritize efficiency, lifetime and a stress-free experience above all else, these Impact modules should be at the top of your list fellas. Small but perfectly formed champs.

Conclusion

RAM is so important these days for reducing lag and ensuring smooth gaming. Whether you’re using a laptop or desktop, having enough RAM to allow for apps, downloads, multitasking in the background, etc. is a must. After testing lots of different sticks, in my opinion Corsair Vengeance LPX is the overall best RAM for high-end gaming rigs right now. It consistently delivers top-tier speeds and performance without missing a beat. I’ve had great overclocking results with them too. That said, if your budget is a bit tighter, Kingston RAM gives you most of the same gaming benefits without breaking the bank. Stuff like their HyperX Fury or Predator lines are brilliant value.

A few other top brands to consider would be G.Skill Trident Z for maximum tweaking headroom, Crucial Ballistix for reliability across platforms, and TeamGroup T-Force/Dark Z for well-rounded midrange options. At the end of the day, focus on getting RAM with fast speeds, low latencies and quality components from a trusted maker. That’ll set you up for lag-free gaming no matter what you play.