If you know what RAM is, then you know that more memory is rarely a bad thing. Although there's a sweet spot when it comes to how much RAM you actually need, more memory will allow you to run demanding applications with ease, as well as make the desktop experience feel faster overall. The best RAM can give you all the extra capacity and speed you need and will spruce up your rig in the process.
Not all RAM kits are built equally, though. Differences in timings and speed can lead to better performance and stability, so it's a good idea to choose a reputable kit instead of what's cheapest. We have options for every build and purpose, from one of the fastest DDR5 kits on the market to a kit that won't cost more than $50.
Why you should buy it: It's fast, attractive, and affordable.
Who's it for: Anyone building or upgrading to a PC that uses DDR5 memory.
What we thought of the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB kit:
If you want the most straightforward, fast, attractive, well-priced kit of DDR5 memory, this one from G.Skill is it. The Trident Z5 is an excellent, well lauded range of memory, and at 6,000 MHz with 32GB capacity, this kit has all the power, performance, and capacity you need to handle anything you throw at it. High-end games, photo and video editing, college work, office work, streaming video -- it's ready for anything.
It's got some fancy RGB lighting too, and at just over $100 for 32GB, it's an absolute steal. Memory prices are slated to rise in the coming year, too, so it's worthwhile investing in a kit like this while it's so affordable.
Why you should buy it: It's the most affordable 32GB DDR5 you can buy.
Who's it for: Anyone wanting strong performance and capacity at a fair price.
What we thought of the Teamgroup T-Force Vulcan:
While graphics cards and processors have ballooned in price in recent years, memory is now cheaper than ever, so you can get a capable 32GB kit from a company like Teamgroup for well under $100. That's mad considering how much such a kit would have cost you just a few years ago, but here we are! Memory can be cheap and effective in 2025.
This 32GB kit is no slouch either. At 6,000 MHz it's plenty fast for gaming or running demanding applications, and it even looks quite nice with an attractive red heatspreader. There is no fancy RGB lighting and there are faster kits out there, but the difference between this one and much-more-expensive 8,000 MHz kits and the like, is only a few percent. If you need to refocus your budget elsewhere when upgrading, or just want a cheaper way to bolster your system's performance, a high-speed kit of affordable RAM like this will go a long way.
Why you should buy it: It's one of the cheapest DDR4 kits with strong performance and capacity.
Who's it for: Anyone building or upgrading an older DDR4 PC.
What we thought of the G.Skill Ripjaws DDR4 kit
G.Skill's Ripjaws range is its value-focused memory, but just because this kit doesn't cost much, doesn't mean it isn't impressively fast. At 3,600 MHz, this kit is about as fast as it gets for mainstream DDR4 memory. Sure, there are kits that go over 4,000 MHz in some cases, but they rarely do much in terms of performance, and if you install anything over 3,600 MHz in an AMD system, it gets complicated since you have to play around with the Infinity Fabric clock... it's not really worth it.
With this kit, you get a fast, decent-looking pair of sticks with 16GB capacity, which is plenty for most users outside of heavy gamers and video editors, and you get it at a great price too.
If you want to spend even less, there is a kit at about $5 less that is 3,200 MHz. You won't notice a big difference between them, but if you're on a super tight budget, that's one way you can claw back a few dollars.
Why you should buy it: It's about the fastest DDR5 memory you can buy.
Who's it for: Overclockers and system tweakers who like to play with settings to maximize performance.
What we thought of the Corsair Vengeance CUDIMM:
If you want peak performance using the latest memory technologies, the best option out there is Corsair's Vengeance DDR5 CUDIMM modules. These sticks have a built-in clock tuner which lets them run far faster and more stably than traditional DDR5 memory. You'll need a compatible Intel motherboard for full support (AMD doesn't offer full CUDIMM support at this time and will just run the sticks at a lower, non-EXPO speed), but if you can get one, you'll be at the cutting edge of memory performance with these sticks.
The only downside of that is that these are expensive. At 48GB there's massive capacity there and plenty for any application, game, or otherwise, but it might not be enough for demanding video editing tasks where 64GB might go that bit further, so consider your needs specifically before buying.
Why you should buy it: It's a fast, high-end DDR4 kit.
Who's it for: Those on older systems who want plenty of fast memory.
What we thought of the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem kit:
If you're running an older AM4 or LGA 1700 setup with DDR4 memory and want a bigger or faster (or both) kit, then the Teamgroup T-Force Xtreem 32GB kit of 3,600 MHz memory is hard to beat. It's a little more expensive than our budget pick, but it's not much more for a doubling in capacity with improved performance.
Even if you're not a fan of the RGB LEDs, you can turn them off and enjoy the smooth mirror-finish on these modules, which help make them serious eye-candy in even the most demure of PC builds.
Why you should buy it: These modulars are extremely customizable, with heaps of options.
Who's it for: Anyone who likes to tweak their system for looks and performance.
What we thought of the Corsair Dominator Titanium:
Corsair's Dominator Titanium RGB DDR5 memory kit is overkill for just everyday performance, but if you like to truly customize your system, then it's a great pick. You can adjust the RGB LEDs, or install custom top-bar modules on to the heatsink, letting you upgrade the cooling, change the visuals, or add your own unique aesthetic spin on the design.
The raw performance out of the gate is excellent too. It's not quite peak performance for DDR5, but that's where overclocking comes in. Beyond supporting XMP profiles for automatic overclocking, this kit is fantastic for tweaking and unlocking additional performance without spending anything extra.
Why you should buy it: It's the cheapest DDR5 out there.
Who's it for: Those on tight budgets who still want a great memory kit.
What we thought of the Kingston Fury Beast
If you just need the cheapest possible kit of DDR5 memory, you can't go wrong with this 16GB pair of sticks from Kingston. It's part of the affordable Fury Beast range, but still offers decent performance at 5,200 MHz. That falls behind most others, but it's also significantly more affordable.
The black heatspreaders and PCB are great for stealthy, all-black builds if you're looking to for something that isn't throwing around RGB lighting in every direction. It's available with XMP and EXPO profiles, so whether you're on an AMD or Intel machine you can enjoy this affordable RAM kit for getting your system up and running. Still, since the 32GB alternatives are only around $20 more, it might be worth splashing out a little more now to save you having to upgrade in the future when you want to play more demanding games or applications.
When picking the best gaming RAM, it's not the brand that matters (although there are some reputable options on our list) as much as it is the speed and the capacity. Gone are the days when you could pick up any kind of 8GB RAM and call it a day. A gaming PC built in 2025 should likely not go below 16GB RAM, with some more demanding gamers opting for 32GB instead.
As far as speeds go, 3,200MHz and above marks a good starting point for DDR4, but for DDR5 you really want at least 6,000MHz. Higher than that will get you slightly more performance, but not much.
We have a dedicated guide to the best gaming RAM, so check that out if you're unsure.
The answer depends entirely on what you're planning to do with your computer. If you mostly browse the web, indulge in some Netflix, and play the occasional game of Minecraft, you don't need 32GB RAM at all. That doesn't mean it's not nice to have — it just means that you can save that money and put it toward a different component.
If you frequently multitask, play AAA games, or engage in creative workflows such as video editing, the general rule of thumb is 16GB at a minimum, but in 2025, 32GB is better. There are some games, for example, that are starting to bottleneck at 16GB of RAM -- a great reason why you should upgrade your RAM. For video editing and other intensive tasks, you may even see a benefit with 64GB of more memory.
Jon Martindale covers how to guides, best-of lists, and explainers to help everyone understand the hottest new hardware and software in desktops, laptops, and on the web. He's also written articles on how to make your PC more efficient for the summer, and how he fixed his backpain with an annoying pop-up app.
Although Jon covers a wide range of topics, his particular focus is on PC components and peripherals. He's also written gaming performance guides.
Jon also writers for Forbes, Lifewire, and Microcenter, has authored two novels, and provided back story and dialogue for a handful of games. He's an amateur game developer, and has made a few game prototypes in his spare time -- with a little help from ChatGPT. Jon's also an avid board gamer, getting in regular games of epic tabletop fare like Twilight Imperium and War of the Ring where he can. He's a father to two kids who recently discovered the joys of Pokémon, and keeps his aging French Bulldog cross busy on regular walks.
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