To run the most resource-intensive games, a fast processor, a powerful graphics card and a large hard drive are not enough. You also need a lot of RAM. DDR3 or DDR4, Corsair or G.Skills, which gamer RAM array to choose? Follow our guide to find out.
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Our selection
"The Corsair Vengeance RGB offers bright, even illumination across a wide guide bar. The overclocked DDR4 ram of the RGB Pro series will illuminate your…"
"If you're looking for low-cost RAM modules for high-level overclocking, the 6GB Vengeance LPX modules from Corsair are the only ones you should be interested…"
"These 2 HyperX Predator HX436C18PB3AK2/64 32GB flash drives are no slouch. Ultra fast, they offer the perfect upgrade for gamers looking for high performance. The…"
"The Crucial Ballistix BL2K16G30C15U4B doesn't need to use fancy heatsinks to get your attention. Instead, these 2 memory arrays feature a low-profile aluminum heatsink that…"
The Corsair Vengeance RGB offers bright, even illumination across a wide guide bar. The overclocked DDR4 ram of the RGB Pro series will illuminate your PC with fascinating dynamic multi-zone RGB lighting without forgetting the best of DDR4.
175 £ on AmazonFirst of all, these 4 Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro strips are 51mm tall, which is 7mm taller than the standard Vengeance RGB strips. In addition, most RGB strips tend to be between 40 and 44 mm tall. So be aware of this height restriction if you're using a small case. On the other hand, this has allowed the DDR4 ram strips to accommodate a large, semi-transparent light bar.
These strips are compatible with Intel and AMD motherboards supporting DDR4 technology. The models shown here are 2 x 16GB in size, for a total of 32GB. The frequency is 3,600 MHz basic and over 3,800 MHz overclocking. In addition, the aluminum heatsinks ensure efficient cooling of the bars. These DDR4 ram have a very fast latency at CL18 (18-19-19-39) and are above the normal in terms of smoothness and responsiveness.
If you're looking for low-cost RAM modules for high-level overclocking, the 6GB Vengeance LPX modules from Corsair are the only ones you should be interested in. These modules don't have RGB lighting, but the power is definitely there!
See priceThe Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 Gamer PC RAM arrays each have a capacity of 2 x 8 GB. The frequency reaches 3200 MHz. The latency also lives up to expectations. It peaks at CL16 (16-18-18-36), which suggests thatthere will be very little risk of memory saturation or slowdown.
The presence of the 8-layer PCB heatsink and the aluminum body allow for efficient heat removal during intense gaming sessions. It is important to note that the Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB is a low-profile model. This means that they are compatible with most recent motherboards produced by Intel.
These 2 HyperX Predator HX436C18PB3AK2/64 32GB flash drives are no slouch. Ultra fast, they offer the perfect upgrade for gamers looking for high performance. The manufacturer hasn't neglected the aesthetics either with excellent RGB lighting.
See priceFirst of all, let's highlight the patented HyperX infrared sync technology found on these Predator HX436C18PB3AK2/64 strips. This is what makes the RGB lighting effects work dynamically and smoothly. With a frequency of 3600 MHz, your games will become much more fluid. In addition, the latency of CL16 (16-18-18-36) ensures a drastic decrease in slowdowns.
The all-black heatsink has an aggressive design. Even the visible PCB is also in black to match. In addition to the eye-catching look, the heatsink is very efficient. The HyperX Predator HX436C18PB3AK2/64 is Intel XMP certified with profiles optimized for the latest Intel processors.
The Crucial Ballistix BL2K16G30C15U4B doesn't need to use fancy heatsinks to get your attention. Instead, these 2 memory arrays feature a low-profile aluminum heatsink that puts more emphasis on performance than design.
See priceThe 2 Ballistix BL2K16G30C15U4B Gamer RAM Strips from Crucial don't have the most eye-catching appearance on the market and lack RGB lighting. But their simplistic finish is really elegant. In particular, the matte black styling and attractive cutouts combine to form a distinctive look that easily fits into a number of gamer setups.
Each Crucial Ballistix BL2K16G30C15U4B array in this kit has a capacity of 16GB and features an 8-layer PCB. Sporting a single-row design, the memory modules use Micron's D9XPF ICs. With XMP 2.0 support, overclocking is possible and really takes things to the next level. There are also profiles defined for optimal performance. The JEDEC profile, for example, is the default profile.
Any specific needs?
The best entry-level gamer PC RAM sticks
The best high-end gamer PC RAM sticks
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | EXCELLENT | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB
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Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB
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HyperX Predator HX436C18PB3AK2/64
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Crucial Ballistix BL2K16G30C15U4B
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The Corsair Vengeance RGB offers bright, even illumination across a wide guide bar. The overclocked DDR4 ram of the RGB Pro series will illuminate your PC with fascinating dynamic multi-zone RGB lighting without forgetting the best of DDR4.
|
If you're looking for low-cost RAM modules for high-level overclocking, the 6GB Vengeance LPX modules from Corsair are the only ones you should be interested in. These modules don't have RGB lighting, but the power is definitely there!
|
These 2 HyperX Predator HX436C18PB3AK2/64 32GB flash drives are no slouch. Ultra fast, they offer the perfect upgrade for gamers looking for high performance. The manufacturer hasn't neglected the aesthetics either with excellent RGB lighting.
|
The Crucial Ballistix BL2K16G30C15U4B doesn't need to use fancy heatsinks to get your attention. Instead, these 2 memory arrays feature a low-profile aluminum heatsink that puts more emphasis on performance than design.
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Capacity
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2 x 16 GB
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2 x 8 GB
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2 x 32 GB
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2 x 16 GB
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Frequency
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3,600 MHz
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3200 MHz
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3600 MHz
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3000 MHz
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Latency
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CL18 (18-19-19-39)
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CL16 (16-18-18-36)
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CL16 (16-18-18-36)
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CL15 (15-17-17-35)
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Motherboard compatibility
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Intel and AMD
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Intel
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Intel XMP and AMD Ryzen
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Intel and AMD
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RGB lighting
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Yes
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No
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Yes
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No
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Since it's difficult to choose your gamer PC RAM sticks, especially for novices, here are the criteria to consider.
Before purchasing RAM modules, determine whether they are suitable for a desktop or laptop PC. Opt for DIMM sizes if your computer is a desktop PC and choose the smaller So-DIMM sizes if you want to upgrade a laptop.
DDR4 is currently the most widely used and highest performing memory. It succeeds DDR3, which itself replaced DDR2. The latter almost no longer exists for the simple reason that no DDR2-compatible desktop PC can run current games. As for DDR3, it is more limited than DDR4.
It should also be noted that each generation of DDR RAM chips has its own generation of compatible motherboards. So go for the version that fits your motherboard and avoid biting off more than you can chew. If DDR4 tempts you but your equipment can't support it, invest in a new motherboard instead of forcing it.
As with the
capacity of hard drives and SSDs, RAM size is standardized. You can find 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB strips on the market. For a gamer PC, the minimum recommended is 8 GB, ideally 16 GB. For the field of research or make a supercomputer, you can cheerfully the 32 GB.
The
memory is characterized by a specific frequency. If you combine 2 different arrays, for example DDR4 3000 MHz and DDR4 3200 MHz, their operation will be limited to 3000 MHz. Therefore, it is better to choose 2 bars of the same frequency. Note that the most encountered frequencies are 2666 MHz, and 3200 MHz for the most demanding video games.
On the
DDR3 side, there are two variants: DDR3 and DDR3L. They have a voltage of 1.5 and 1.35 V respectively. This means that DDR3L consume less power than the classic DDR3. It should be noted that DDR4 are less energy consuming since they use a voltage of 1.2 V.
To find out, simply type the command "wmic memphysical get MaxCapacity, MemoryDevices" and then press the Enter key. The command prompt window will then show the MaxCapacity, i.e. the maximum installable RAM capacity, as well as the MemoryDevices (the existing slots).
We often tend to confuse RAM speed with latency. Indeed, it is quite difficult to make the difference, especially for non-experts. Here are a few clarifications on the subject to help you see things more clearly.
Measured in megatransfers per second (MT/s), speed measures how fast a RAM array can process data.
Latency, expressed in CL or nanoseconds, is the time it takes for the memory to execute an input command. In other words, it is the time elapsed between the input of a command and its execution.
More than just an evolution of DDR3, DDR4 offers astounding performance and is suitable for many application areas. It operates at 1.2V versus 1.5V for DDR3, offering power savings of around 15W over DDR3. DDR4 also offers larger memory sizes ranging from 1GB to 32GB per array and higher frequencies.
Compared to DDR2, DDR3 has particularly improved its bandwidth and power consumption (1.5 V). The DDR3 standard also offers memory sizes ranging from 512 MB to 16 GB per array. However, the slot for DDR3 on the motherboards does not support DDR4 RAM. And the performance is still a notch below DDR4.
In conclusion, DDR4 is more powerful than its previous version DDR3. So choose DDR4 if your motherboard and processor allow it. However, if you have an older motherboard, you will have no other choice than DDR3.
Dust your RAM sticks well.
To do this, remove the strips and clean their contacts with absorbent cotton soaked in isopropyl alcohol or household cleaner. To remove dust from your RAM sticks, simply vacuum them gently.
Feel free to clear the virtual memory.
When
RAM memory is no longer sufficient, Windows operates a virtual memory in a file called "pagefile.sys". This file holds sensitive information that can be hacked, so it would be wise to empty it regularly. To make Windows perform this operation every time it shuts down, press the Windows+R keys at the same time, then type "regedit" in the window that opens and confirm with OK to enter the registry editor. Then go to ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory Management
then double-click on "ClearPageFileAtShutdown" and put "1" in "Value data" before validating.
Add memory.
Turn off
and remove the external devices from your CPU. Then disassemble it and touch a metal object to get rid of static electricity. Locate the RAM slot on the motherboard and then gently press the plastic levers. The old RAM should come off by itself and then insert the new one, pushing it in slightly. The levers should automatically pinch the new strip and a small click should be heard. Close your case and start your computer. If it beeps, it means that your clip is not inserted properly. So remember to double-check your installation. In case the installation of the new RAM was done correctly, check the size of your memory by pressing Windows+Pause
once you get to Windows.
Upgrade the computer's virtual memory.
When
your memory is full, the computer uses part of the hard drive as virtual memory and infinitely moves information between the memory and the drive. The computer then starts to slow down, the hard drive becomes abnormally noisy and its LED flashes. In such a case, it is high time for you to upgrade your virtual memories. On the other hand, the effects generated by insufficient virtual memory are less felt if you use an SSD which is an upgraded version of HDD.
Optimize virtual memory performance.
If
you want to make the most of your RAM on your video games, keep the swap or paging file size to a minimum. Then, use an SSD which is more powerful than HDD. Also, disable the graphical effects of your Windows interface like animations or shadow effects, etc. Finally, remove unnecessary services by pressing Windows+R and then enter services.msc. You can also manage or reduce the programs that run at Windows startup by pressing Windows+R, then enter msconfig and go to the startup tab unchecking the futile programs.
The best gamer PC RAM strip depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out which products are best.
No. You should know that opting for DDR4 RGB is purely cosmetic.
For a 16GB RAM upgrade, be aware that 2 x 8GB RAM strips will provide more performance than a single 16GB strip.
To do this, simply download and install the CPU-Z software which will provide you with all the information about your PC's memory.
First, try dusting your computer and check to see if the fans are running properly. After doing this, if the problem still persists, ask a technician for advice.
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