We rated, reviewed, & compared 14 of the best memory kits for gaming across various budgets. These top RAM kits are perfect for gamers or anyone else looking for more memory for their computer.
If you’re building a new gaming computer, then you’ve probably heard that your memory is pretty important. In the simplest of terms, your computer’s memory gives your processor a place to carry out it’s processes. The more memory you have and the quicker it functions, the faster your processor can access important files.
Of course, in gaming, there is only so much memory that can be had. And, that’s why one of the most common questions first-time builders ask is:
How Much RAM Do I Need for Gaming?
Generally speaking, 8GB of RAM is all that is needed in modern gaming. However, if you are planning on doing other process-intensive tasks like video/image editing, more RAM will come in handy. Also, if you’re building a budget PC, you can go with 4GB to start and upgrade later down the road.
The good thing about memory is that, as far as cost goes, it’s probably the one component that will give you the biggest increase in performance relative to it’s cost (up to a certain point, of course). In fact, for about $50-$60 you can get a kit of 2400MHz 8GB DDR4 RAM–which is pretty good for the price.
In this post, I will go over the best RAM for gaming in 2018 at various price ranges for different budget sizes. I’ve broken the guide down into two different sections… DDR3 Memory and DDR4 Memory.
Really, DDR3 memory is on its way out and if you’re building a new computer you probably shouldn’t be using it. However, if you’re looking to upgrade and older build, DDR3 memory is probably your only option (unless you upgrade your CPU/motherboard as well.)
I have chosen multiple different kits for each section based on price, speed, and quantity. This list isn’t the end-all-be-all list of computer memory, but there should be enough solid options here to help you choose the right RAM for your gaming PC.
THE BEST RGB MEMORY KITS
Do you like to spend a lot of money on arbitrary features that don’t improve performance in any way whatsoever, but only serve to improve the aesthetics of your build? If so, we have some RGB memory to sell to you!
All jokes aside, RGB lighting has taken the PC building world by storm despite the fact that it has no other purpose than to make your system look cooler. This would typically be fine as PC buidlers often choose their components with aesthetics in mind. However, RGB lighting comes in at a premium and so it is really only suited for those who have large budets and who are looking to build high-end setups.
If you do have the budget, though, and you want to go all out on the RGB spectrum, then one of the items you’ll want to look into is RGB memory.
Right now there are only a few viable RGB kits of memory out there and of those, only two really stand out as top options.
So, if you are looking to spice up the style of your upcoming build (or upgrade), check out our overviews on the best RGB RAM kits below:
A COMPARISON OF THE BEST RGB MEMORY
G.SKILL TridentZ RGB |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 16-128GB |
SPEED | 2400MHz+ |
LATENCY | 16 |
DDR | DDR4 |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Review
Of the two RGB memory kit options that I’d recommend, in my opinion, G.SKILL’s TridentZ RGB kits are the best options.
And, that is primarily because of the fact that unlike Corsair’s Vengeance RGB kits, the TridentZ’s RGB lights extend across the entirity of the stick, allowing you to see a full line of color.
In comparison, Corsair’s Vengeance RGB memory puts the standard Vengeance heat spreader over the RGB light on top of the stick and so you don’t get a full line of color.
And, while you could argue that this is a petty way to conclude that G.SKILL has the better RGB ram, the fact is that you are spending a lot extra to get RGB lights and so I’m assuming anyone who will be looking at these kits will want as much color showing as possible.
If not, then Corsair’s Vengeance is a solid option as well.
Aside from the RGB lighting, though, the TridentZ series comes in 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB kits. It also has kits that run as low as 2400MHz, and as high as 4266MHz.
Ultimately, these kits of memory will set you back quite a bit, but if you have a large budget they will help make your rig look pretty sweet.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06WP4L3D7″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Corsair Vengeance RGB |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 16-64GB |
SPEED | 2666MHz+ |
LATENCY | 15 |
DDR | DDR4 |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Corsair Vengeance RGB Review
As I mentioned above in the overview on G.SKILL’s TridentZ RGB memory, the biggest downfall of Corsair’s Vengeance RGB kits are the fact that the RGB lights are restricted by the Vengeance heat spreader and, therefore, don’t provide a full line of color.
And, again, while this might seem like a minor flaw, the fact is that if you are paying a premium for RGB lights on your memory, then you likely want as much RGB gloriness as possible.
If you don’t mind the more restricted nature of Corsair’s RGB lights, though, these are still obviously solid memory kits.
They come in 16-64G kits, with speeds as low as 2666MHz and as high as 3466MHz.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B06XRG59PK” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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THE BEST DDR4 MEMORY KITS
With the prices of DDR4 memory falling and pretty much reaching DDR3 levels, there really isn’t a whole lot of reason to choose a DDR3-based build over a DDR4-based build (assuming you are working with a large budget.)
It still makes sense in a few cases to go with DDR3 memory, simply because if you are upgrading an older system and you aren’t getting a new CPU and motherboard, too, you will have to choose DDR3 memory.
However, for anyone who is building a new system with an AMD Ryzen CPU, Intel Kaby Lake CPU, or a Haswell Extreme CPU, then you will definitely want to get a solid DDR4 kit.
Fortunately, as already mentioned, the prices of DDR4 kits have come down significantly over the past few months and they are now in line with the cost of DDR3 kits.
What follows is a list of some of the best DDR4 memory kits you can buy…
A COMPARISON OF THE BEST DDR4 GAMING RAM
Crucial Ballistix Sport |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 4-32GB |
SPEED | 2400MHz |
LATENCY | 16 |
VOLTAGE | 1.2v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Crucial Ballistix Sport Review
If you’re working with a budget, you likely aren’t going to be choosing a list of components that are compatible with DDR4 memory. And, as such, you will likely need DDR3 memory.
However, if you need DDR4 memory for an AMD Ryzen build, an Intel Kaby Lake build, or a Haswell-extreme build, but you don’t necessarily want to spend a ton of money on a high-end kit, then per GB of RAM, the Crucial Ballistix Sport kits are some of the most affordable.
You can get the Ballistix Sport RAM in kits that range from 4GB all the way up to 32GB.
Ultimately, the in-game performance difference between this kit and the others on this list is negligible, so I would look for the one that is the most affordable at the time of purchase.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00UFF7Y72″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Kingston HyperX FURY |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 4-64GB |
SPEED | 2133MHz |
LATENCY | 14 |
VOLTAGE | 1.2v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Kingston HyperX FURY Review
Kingston is no stranger to finding it’s way into some of our affordable builds and top builds.
However, at the time of writing this, their 8GB kit is priced a little bit higher than some of the other DDR4 kits listed here. Although, the HyperX FURY does have a 64GB kit option, whereas the Ballistix Sport does not.
Also, the HyperX FURY kits have a little bit faster latency than Crucial Ballistix Sports, so if you want to pay a little more for a small increase in performance (which you probably won’t notice in most scenarios) then a FURY kit might be a better option.
Ultimately, though, as stated above and below, I’d recommend going with whatever kit is more affordable at the time you go to purchase your new memory.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00TY6A56U” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Corsair Vengeance LPX |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 8-32GB |
SPEED | 2400MHz |
LATENCY | 16 |
VOLTAGE | 1.2v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Corsair Vengeance LPX Review
Corsair’s Vengeance LPX line of memory typically runs a little more expensive than the other kits listed here, but there are quite a few options to choose between.
For instance, the LPX kits range from 8GB kits two 32GB kits. And, as for speed, you can get the Corsair Vengeance LPX kits in 2400MHz, 2666MHz, 2800MHz, 3000MHz, and 3200MHz.
And, the kits also come with timings of CAS 14, 15, and 16.
So, needless to say, there are a wide array of different Corsair Vengeance LPX kits you can choose. Ultimately, though, since they’re a bit more expensive than some of the other kits listed here, I’d recommend saving a couple of bucks, simply because the performance difference won’t be too significant.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00UVN2C8O” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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G.SKILL Ripjaws V |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 8-32GB |
SPEED | 2400MHz |
LATENCY | 15 |
VOLTAGE | 1.2v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
G.SKILL Ripjaws V Review
G.SKILL is considered one of the best RAM brands and their memory is among the most recommended options by hardcore gamers and system builders. And, if you are looking for a DDR4 memory kit, then you will definitely want to consider the Ripjaws V series of memory from G.SKILL.
While G.SKILL memory is typically more expensive than Crucial or Kingston’s memory, it is still relatively affordable and, as I mentioned above, it comes highly recommended.
The Ripjaws V DDR4 kits come in a variety of quantities, configurations, and speeds. You can get kits ranging from 8-32GBs and speeds ranging from 2133MHz to 3200MHz.
And, there are three different colors you can choose between to help you match the rest of your build: red, black, and white.
Overall, you can’t go wrong with G.SKILL RAM, as they typically produce some of the best gaming memory kits, but if you’re looking to keep your build as cost-efficient as possible you might want to look at another more affordable kit.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B013GHSKR8″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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PNY Anarchy |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 4-16GB |
SPEED | 2400MHz |
LATENCY | 15 |
VOLTAGE | 1.2v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
PNY Anarchy Review
In terms of popularity, most dedicated system builders turn to popular memory brands like Crucial, G.SKILL, Corsair, and Kingston.
However, PNY has been around for a while and they, too, make solid memory kits.
In fact, their DDR4 Anarchy line of memory is typically priced similarly to some of the other more affordable memory kits listed in this section.
The Anarchy kits don’t come in as wide of a selection, and you can only get between 4-16GB kits, but for most uses, 16GB will be enough anyways.
Another cool feature of the Anarchy kits are their design. Of course, that will all come down to user preference, but I like the look of the sticker that comes attached to the kit.
Ultimately, just like my advice for the other kits listed here, it’s probably a good idea to go with whatever kit costs less at the time of your purchase. However, that buying-strategy will vary depending on your preference for looks, brand, and speed.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B012ASF1YE” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Patriot Viper Elite |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 8-32GB |
SPEED | 2400MHz |
LATENCY | 15 |
VOLTAGE | 1.2v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Patriot Viper Elite Review
While Patriot has been around for a little while, they aren’t as popular as some of the other brands listed here. However, they are offering their Elite Series DDR4 kits at a really competitive price.
So, if you don’t mind rolling with a brand that doesn’t get as much attention, you could save a few bucks by choosing Viper’s Elite Series kits over the others listed above.
The Viper Elite Series comes in three different kit sizes: 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB.
It also comes in three different colors: red, blue, and gray.
You can also get the Elite Series DDR4 in speeds ranging from 2400MHz all the way up to 3000MHz.
Ultimately, while Patriot isn’t as talked-about as some of the other brands, they do have quite a few options to choose between and they do offer competitive prices in comparison to some of the other options on this list.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0196AWM64″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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THE BEST DDR3 MEMORY KITS
Yes, DDR4 memory has arrived. And, yes, DDR4 memory is pretty much just as affordable now as DDR3 memory.
And, while there aren’t a whole lot of reasons to purchase DDR3 memory anymore, there are a couple of instances where it makes sense.
In fact, if you’re upgrading your older Intel- or AMD-based build and you want to add more memory, you’ll have to buy DDR3 memory.
Don’t worry, though…
In most in-game scenarios the performance difference between DDR3 and DDR4 is not very significant and most people will never be able to tell the difference.
So, if you need some cheap DDR3 RAM for your system, you can use some of the following kits…
A COMPARISON OF THE BEST DDR3 GAMING RAM
Crucial Ballistix Sport |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 4-32GB |
SPEED | 1600MHz |
LATENCY | 9 |
VOLTAGE | 1.5v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Crucial Ballistix Sport Review
Crucial’s Ballistix Sport line of memory is consistently priced better than the other brands on this list. And, that is true for their DDR3 kits and DDR4 kits.
So, if you need some cheap RAM for upgrade purposes or for your AMD AM3+ budget build, this kit will definitely do the trick.
It’s not the prettiest set of RAM, but it’s affordable and it will get the job done.
Ultimately, though, as I’ve said time and time again throughout this guide, my recommendation is to go with the kit of RAM that is the most affordable at the time of your purchase.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B006WAGGUK” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Kingston HyperX FURY |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 4-16GB |
SPEED | 1600MHz |
LATENCY | 9 |
VOLTAGE | 1.5v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Kingston HyperX FURY Review
Just like the DDR4 kits, Kingston HyperX Fury kits are also one of the more competitive DDR3 memory options in terms of price.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00J8E91T0″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Corsair Vengeance |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 8-32GB |
SPEED | 1600MHz |
LATENCY | 9 |
VOLTAGE | 1.5v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Corsair Vengeance Review
Corsair’s Vengeance line of memory kits are also a solid option for anyone looking for a nice kit of DDR3 memory.
The one downside of Corsair’s Vengeance line, though, is the excessively tall heat spreaders. These aren’t really a problem if you plan on using your CPUs stock cooler, but if you are planning on using a third-party cooler, you will want to make sure that the heat spreaders don’t block the CPU cooler from being installed.
Although, there are some low-profile versions of the Vengeance kits to help you get around that problem should it arise.
Other than that, the Vengeance line offers kits ranging from 4GB all the way up to 32GB. And, the kits come in a few different colors (black, red, blue, and gold) as well as different models (standard and pro).
The pro kits offer higher speeds than the standard line but also cost a bit more.
Ultimately, though, the standard 1600MHz kits will work just fine for just about any setup.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004CRSM4I” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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G.SKILL Ripjaws |
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B00339X1EM” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Check Price[/easyazon_link]
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 8-32GB |
SPEED | 1600MHz |
LATENCY | 9 |
VOLTAGE | 1.5v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
G.SKILL Ripjaws Review
G.SKILL has quite a few different DDR3 memory kits available, but their Ripjaws kits are their most affordable.
Even still, though, the Ripjaws 8GB kit is nearly $10 more than other options on this list like the Crucial Ballistix Sport and HyperX Fury.
However, G.SKILL has become pretty popular with system builders and is often recommended as the memory-of-choice.
But, in the grand scheme of things, the in-game performance increase you’ll get from this Ripjaws kit over the others mentioned here will not be significant and it will be so small that you would probably never recognize the difference.
However, if you like the look of the kit (I personally don’t like the standard Ripjaws kit, but some of the other G.SKILL kits are nice-looking) or you just want to stick with the G.SKILL brand, there’s nothing wrong with choosing this set of memory.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00339X1EM” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Patriot Signature |
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 8GB |
SPEED | 1600MHz |
LATENCY | 11 |
VOLTAGE | 1.5v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Patriot Signature Review
If you’re not looking for anything too exciting and you just want a 1600MHz kit of DDR3 RAM, then Patriot’s simple and straight-forward Signature kit of memory should do the trick for you.
The kit only comes in 8GB, it doesn’t have the best latency in comparison to the other options on this list, and it’s not the nicest-looking set available.
However, it is one of the more affordable options and, ultimately, it will get the job done.
Again, though, before purchasing this kit, be sure to check prices as there may be a better deal on a better kit of memory.
And, if you’re looking for a more attractive and better-performing Patriot kit, you can check out the Patriot Viper 3 Series listed below.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004JKNJ0U” locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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Patriot Viper 3 |
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[easyazon_link identifier=”B008LTJJM2″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Check Price[/easyazon_link]
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TECH SPECS
KIT SIZE | 4-16GB |
SPEED | 1600MHz |
LATENCY | 9 |
VOLTAGE | 1.5v |
BUFFERED | Unbuffered |
Patriot Viper 3 Review
While Patriot’s Signature series is a bit more affordable, for a few more bucks you can get their better-performing and nicer-looking Viper 3 series kit.
The Viper 3 Series comes in black, blue, and red, and comes in speeds as high as 2400MHz.
However, their most affordable kit, the 1600MHz kit is about the same price as Crucial’s Ballistix Sport and Kingston’s HyperX Fury.
So, if you want something that doesn’t cost a ton of money, offers decent performance and a range of options, the Patriot’s Viper 3 series might be your best bet.
Again, though, your best bet would be to check prices before you make your decision.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B008LTJJM2″ locale=”US” tag=”bestmemory-20″]Get This RAM[/easyazon_link]
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NEED HELP CHOOSING MEMORY?
While this list covers my opinion on what the best RAM for gaming is, it’s inevitable that others will disagree with me. And, that’s fine! I based this list off of price-to-performance and not necessarily on what RAM performs the absolute best.
I did that simply because the in-game performance difference between the extreme 3200MHz kits and the standard 1600MHz kits are not very significant, especially when you consider the price difference.
Ultimately, though, if you’re in the market for a new gaming PC and you are planning on buying a new system, or if you are just looking for an upgrade for your current gaming computer, and you have questions, please post them below.
George says
DDR3 RAM is still good enough for gaming. Don’t stress too much on that. The VRAM speed is an entirely different thing and I would recommend opting for DDR5. Gives a massive boost in performance.
wade says
will an intel core i7-8700k processor work with the corsair vengeance lpx ddr4 dram @ 3000mhz c15 desk top memory. the reason for the question is I noticed on the processor spec that it supported ddr4 ram speeds up to 2666 mhz. is this a problem as I ordered this ram already.
Abhinav says
Please Tell Me I Going For Good Gaming Build –
I7 7700 Processor
Board Im Confused
Ram 8 Gb Corsair
Also Cabinate Of Cooler Mater Maybe
I Leave In India And My Price Limit IS 60,00 INR
Abhinav says
Graphics Card – Asus Gtx 1080 2gb
Chris says
Ram is sold out on amazon for the $700 build
Thinking of just replacing with this
https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-2400MHz-PC4-19200-Memory/dp/B00UVN2C8O?tag=bestmemory-20
Brent Hale says
Hi Chris, hope you’re doing well.
Looks like the Crucial RAM is back in stock (at least, it is in the Amazon US). In any case, the Corsair Vengeance RAM will work perfectly fine as well.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Anik says
Hi there, is there any problem if i use both 4 gb ddr 3 1033 bus ram and 4gb ddr3 1600 Bus Ram at the same time from different brands?
Wanda says
Are removable memory boards specific to brand and models or are they interchangeable without regard to brand. My meaning being: I personally have a Dell XPS tower, (Hard drive useless) can the removable ram memory boards from it be recycled and used into other Dell machines and or HP models to upgrade ability and performance.. I have both and using both. I have two school age grandchildren in the house, so this is necessary. So in essence, each child has their own, and I too will have my own again soon.
Brent Hale says
Hi Wanda, how’s it going?
It is possible you can use your old RAM as long as it is compatible with your new motherboard. However, if the new motherboard has a different memory architecture, the old RAM won’t fit in it.
So, it really all depends on what type of memory was in your old system and what kind of memory is in your newer system.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
Wanda says
Hi Brent, Thank you for the update. Not yet sure about the compatibility either, but I will keep the info in mind when it comes to the time of doing the upgrade should I choose to do it. Appreciate the info very much. Take good care. Kindest regards. Wanda
Mikeint says
Hello,
I have a question about memory upgrades …
I just purchased a new laptop … Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 7710, and like most of big brands they usually install generic components that are always well over-priced, so I figured out I should order laptop with basic and cheapest memory combo and than upgrade memory by myself when I receive the laptop.
Currently I have 16GB (4x4GB) of 2133 MHz DDR4 memory … I know that my laptop can support up to 64GB of memory, however I don’t know is there any limit on the memory clock speed?
I see online there are laptop memories offered in 2133 MHz, 2400 MHz, 2666 MHz, 2800 MHz …
I made several attempts to contact Dell sales or Dell tech support, but it seems like they don’t train their people good enough, because some of them didn’t even know the difference between processor clock speed and ram memory clock speed, and one of them started talking about Operating System upgrade instead of memory upgrade … (No comment…)
So, anyone knows is there any limit about memory clock speed for this particular laptop? With other words, is G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 64GB (4 x 16G) 260-Pin DDR4 SO-DIMM DDR4 2800 (PC4 22400) compatible with my laptop? … I know this is overkill but I always wanted to have one “mean machine” with maxed out specs … and now I can finally afford it … LOL
By the way I have:
Intel Core i7-6920HQ processor
16 GB (4x4GB) 2133 MHz DDR4 Non-ECC memory
And currently I’m running Windows 7 Professional
Thanks …
Anonymous says
You should check Motherboard chipset specifi on your notebook. It can describe RAM freq limitation for your notebook.
Stephen says
If Dell doesn’t offer ram faster than 2133 for your exact model then any ram you install will most likely just run at 2133 because the speed settings are locked in the BIOS. You would need a custom unlocked BIOS installed to set the ram speed to what you want. That’s what it did with one of my MSI’s. How much ram is your dell using? If it never uses more than 8 or 16 then installing 64 is only going to lighten your wallet, nothing else. Most people never use more than 8GB but 16GB is a good size so you’ll have plenty extra.
charles w hargis says
sell your dell from hell and buy an MSI …eventually you will when the day comes that you can understand all the numbers and spec. of each company’s product at every price level of dell vs MSI dell computers cost way more and much less performance and or optional upgrades as dell says NOT ….MSI wins all world performance competition year after year for not just gaming BUT for personal use of everyday office and commercial use …the most expensive MSI note book and the worlds fastest at processing ..a notebook that is a laptop workstation do all desk top replacement and has broken all benchmarks today is right around at three thousand dollars cheaper (way less money) than dell’s finest laptop that will NOT even come close to the extra features that are standard on any MSI that are not even available on any dell ever made and or any dell today or will ever be in the future .. msi does not spend millions in advertising hype of nothing but b.s. as dell has always done .. MSI spends their money buying who ever is producing the fastest top quality components of everything it takes to build a laptop from parts …example MSI’s monitors are of a new product invented by MSI just this years that is well above the technology of 4K that is standard on all price levels of every MSI ..MSI is the only computer company in the world making laptops with the most high-tech creative labs sound blaster cinema 7.1 surround sound stereo system in the world of anything ..with most high-tech speaker system in the world you only find in exotic sports cars from Dynaudio with not only two of the very best speakers know built into the top panel ..but also a bass boost on the bottom that comes on all MSI notebooks new or used as no charge as standard equipment ..and on top of that is the Steel Series RBG led keyboard and software for no lights to any animated pattern of infinite auto changing colors ….all components are overclockabe using MSI’s afterburner program that is also compatible with all brands of computers and the most popular overclocking software that is free for download ..see if it will work on your dell .. (I doubt it) ..and I bought my MSI on the same idea you had with your dell .. to save money and upgrade the ram and hard drives myself …. but I did pay for a fast CPU a 4 core i7 @ 3.6GHz and a fast GPU a GTX 880M @ 954MHz with 8gigs of GDDR5..that are still rated extreme today …paid $1399 that came with 8 gigs of ram and one standard 2 1/2 inch 1T hard drive …but mainly I bought the MSI cause I like to be able to see and hear the movies that I watch or the games I play vs imagining what the picture looks like and trying to read the lips of the actors in a movie ..or the shows on you tube
A Name says
DO NOT BUY MSI. I’m about to warranty/RMA my 3rd MSI MB. They gave me a RMA number, but when I told them I don’t want another of this MSI Model, MSI completely stopped even responding.
Sir. Whirrington the 1st says
For some reason when I go onto the website, the “Read Review” thing won’t do anything when I click it, is anyone else having this problem?
Brent Hale says
Whoops! Had a problem with the code. It should be working properly now. Thanks for the heads up!
All the Best,
Brent
Ismam says
I have a gaming pc but I need a new one. Please sugest me about the PC Parts.
Fred says
Hey mate, still need help?
If so can you tell me what your price range is, also if its just the pc or the whole system (monitor, peripherals etc) and if asthetics matter to you or not. Also if you prefer water or air cooling for the cpu.
Suski says
could you do the same for me as well? need the whole package, good for running fps games (csgo for example). $1000 cad price tag. thank you
tony says
Hey I bought this gaming PC just to start with, do you think i can full upgrade it later? If I get a new motherboard
http://www.amazon.com/SkyTech-Archangel-ST-FX6300-8GB1TB-GTX750TI-Computer-FX-6300/dp/B01CUZKM3C?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00
Amit says
Hi i am new to H/w but i have to upgrade my ram currently i have sony vaio with DDR3 type ram. I want to know will “Kingston HyperX FURY 4 GB 1600MHz DDR3” or other ddr4 ram will support my system(laptop with i3 processor).
Are rams specific for system.Please reply soon i need serious upgrade.
*sorry for my bad English.
TJ says
you can’t upgrade the parts on most laptops. I don’t think you can on a Sony Vaio, but I might be wrong. also, RAM is not specific to any system.
Dylan says
If you have DDR3 RAM, you won’t be able to install DDR4. They’re designed to be incompatible. Also, laptops use different RAM than desktops
Annonymous says
I want to buy a new gaming PC because my old one is old and want to get a Asus Sabretooth Z170 Mark 1 as my motherboard, will a Corsair Vengence be compatible?
Brent Hale says
Hi Annonymous, thanks for reading and commenting.
Yes, as long as you get the DDR4 version of Corsair’s Vengeance RAM you will be fine.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.
All the Best,
Brent
TheDragonMage says
This needs to be updated there is DDR4 now!
Steven A says
I agree. RAM prices have also dropped.
Brent Hale says
Hey DragonMag, thanks for the comment.
I’m going through and updating all of these posts. Memory is next on the list.
Best,
Brent
TheDragonMage says
Cool!
paul dudak says
is there finally a 64gb ram laptop out there? some people yes others say no others say”i think I saw 1 but I don’t remember who made it.” we know there is 32. & if you did see 1 who put it out & model.no 1 seems to know the answer.
kanchu says
Lenovo ThinkPad P70
TJ says
i don’t think so, as even the most powerful computers on the market (Alienware Area 51) only have 32. Besides, 64 is kinda unnecessary, because even 16GB will be more than enough for most gaming.
Motoman67 says
MSI GT80 and now GT83 GAMING LAPTOPS, it is a thick laptop, which personally i dig how rigid it is. I went this route BEFORE INTRODUCING the VR Back Packs. This Beast was my laptop and still is, but is also my Mobil short wired/no string attached VR toy as well in my padded back pack. I loaded it up with 4 16 gb SO DIMM 2133 sticks to support the 2x GPU’s (mine was up graded by me from 2x GTX980 stock, upgraded to 2X 1070ti. As good as any desktop. except mine is 2 years old and only 1080 res. I would love to make it 4k…. I think it can upgraded for extreme waste of money mode to 128gb. Gregg
John says
There is no better ram, all offer lifetime warranty, a corsair platinum lets say 9-9-9-24 1600mhz will perform exactly the same with an oem with the same specs, it’s just the heatsink with corsair’s name, that makes it expensive. Geil, Kingston, Gskill, crucial, corsair all are the same, you just pick the looks you like, since in real world 1333mhz doesn’t fell slow compared to a 3000mhz one, just a placebo effects, and it’s not said by one, everyone that tested various speeds says the same, you get more speed you lose timings, you gain timings you lose speed it’s a vicious cycle, high speed applies on how fast your wallet will empty. Buy the ram you like in appearance. In the ddr2 years i used Geil like crazy never caused a problem, now i follow the trend of corsair, i would easily go to kingston or g.skill with no hesitation. Everything is a placebo effect in pc gaming, the term “gaming” is a big marketing fraud, and why i buy corsair? to say that i have corsair, the only real reason i see on me.
Josh says
The best 2x4GB kit comes from GSkill.
1866MHz Cas 8 ripjaws.
Azazel says
I currently have 2x8gb corsair dominator 2400mhz running on a Z97 platform with a 4770k which I like to run at 4.2(can run faster if game needs it). My question is- is it worth getting another 16gb of corsair dominator memory, or is that overkill? Will I see a noticeable increase?
Jack says
Hey Brent, I was just wondering… I am a hardcore gamer and I also do some video editing. I am planing on using a 16gb (8×2) kit of DDR3. I have a black/green build so I am looking at the crucial ballistix tactical tracer memory (with the green leds). Is 1600mhz and 8-8-8-24 timings more than adequate? Or would it be smart to trade the leds and get a 1866mhz or 2400mhz kit? Is $145 way too much for what I’m getting? 32gb for gaming is overkill. maybe not for extreme photoshop or video editing, but you can stick with what you have and have no performance penalty. After all, it sounds like you’ve got a nice kit of memory there. don’t waste your money. P.S. you can’t just add in another kit of 16gb. It probably won’t work. you need to buy a whole new 32gb kit. an 8×4 kit and 2 8×2 kits are completely different.
Shaikan says
The last part is not true actually, you can use two 2×8 kits if they are the same model without any problems…
As if you need it or not, most likely no, having more ram doesn’t offer any improvements unless you are filling it up completely, which is very unlikely in gaming
Jack says
I might be way out of line here but isn’t using DDR3 slightly strange….1GB of DDR5 is better than 4GB of DDR3 and getting a 16GB DDR4 is about $200…..
Kasperi says
GDDR5 is a variation of DDR3 used in graphics cards, actual DDR5 memory isn’t out yet. Maybe in ten years.
Meanwhile, DDR4 is currently only available on intel’s Z99 platform, which is all about performance that most people don’t need.
DDR3 is going to be fine for a few years.
Karim says
You mean the X99 Chipset. Also, I think it actually has to do with the SOCKET, which would be 2011-v3, but I’m not entirely sure – I don’t even think there’s an x99 without a 2011-v3.
Shaikan says
Yeah, DDR4 is better than 3, but it is not price/performance efficient at the moment, plus you are restricted into a specific chipset and all the other components, which cost a fortune with marginal improvements, not needed in any way for gaming…
Also, 1GB DDR4 being better than 4GB DDR3? In what world? If you need 4GB of free space for something, it’s 4GB, period, it’s not like your memory being DDR4 will magically reduce the space some things occupy, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard in a while!
Dustin says
Is there a big difference between normal Vengeance Ram and it’s Pro-Series to pay the extra cash?
LACP says
I would like to know if 12GB DDR3 1866MHz Triple Channel are the ideal for my system?
TJ says
That really depends on the other parts in the computer, as well as what type of motherboard you have.
If your motherboard allows, than 16GB of ram would be better.
Sean says
Are you sponsored by cosair? or are they just simply better than the rest?
Brent Hale says
Hey Sean, thanks for reading and commenting? No, I’m not sponsored by Corsair. This post needs a major overhaul, because in reality there isn’t much of a difference between the different memory brands as long as the speed and timings are similar.
Kingston, G.Skill, ADATA, and Crucial all make quality RAM and I’d choose your memory based off of whichever one has the lowest price at the moment and/or the one that you think looks the best (if you’re trying to stick to a certain color scheme.)
If you’re just looking for a solid set of 8GB of DDR3 1600MHz RAM, I’d look at Kingston’s HyperX line as they’re consistently the least expensive kit of RAM on Amazon.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Cory says
I have a gaming build I done myself I’m currently at 16GB hyperX fury ram at half 1600mhz/half 1866 that I’m selling would a 32GB kit at 1600mhz or at 1866mhz be too much or which would be better ?