Whether you’re upgrading your existing computer or building a new one from the ground up, RAM is one of the essential components that could make or break your rig. So today, we’re listing the best DDR4 RAM kits for gaming and professional workstations meant for 3D modeling, 8K video editing, and other graphics-intensive tasks. Do note that we are sticking to DDR4 kits because it will be a while before DDR5 DIMMs hit the market, and even longer for the prices to rationalize. Until then, the good-old DDR4 RAM kits will work just fine.

As of March 2021, you can easily get a 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM kit without any fancy lighting for under $100. However, up the data transfer rate to 3600MHz (or more), tighten up the timings, and a dash of fancy RGB, and you could be looking at $200+ for the same amount of memory. In this article, we cater to both kinds of users. You will find both fancy as well as understated RAM kits listed below, and you can pick one based on your budget and taste. That said, let’s check out the best DDR4 RAM kits available for gaming and professional workstations.

  • Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3200 CL16
  • Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR4-3200 CL16
  • Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 CL19
  • Patriot Viper RGB DDR4-3600
  • G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL16
  • G.Skill Trident Z Royal 16GB DDR4-4000 CL18
  • TeamGroup T-Force Xtreem ARGB DDR4-3600 CL18
  • Kingston HyperX Predator DDR4-3200 CL16
  • Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 CL16
  • Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 CL16

Note: We are listing the pricing for the 16GB (8GB x 2) kits in each case to help make the comparison easier. The frequencies and timings, however, differ based on which option we believe is better value for that particular model. Finally, as with all PC hardware, make sure your chosen DIMMs are compatible with your motherboard before pulling the trigger.

Corsair is one of the most trusted names in the industry for a whole host of PC components and accessories, including radiators, pump/ reservoirs, PSUs, cases, flash storage, cases, and of course, RAM. The Vengeance series has been one of its most popular offerings for over a decade, and the RGB Pro takes things to the next level.

While nothing beats the Vengeance lineup in terms of value, Corsair’s iconic Dominator series is also quite popular at the premium end. The Dominator Platinum RGB series offers Corsair’s famed reliability and performance with high speed and tight timings.

Besides, it also comes with the company’s patented dual-channel DHX cooling technology that maximizes performance and offers better overclocking headroom. It is compatible with the latest Intel and AMD platforms and supports XMP 2.0 for simple setup.

If you have a motherboard that can handle extreme speeds, the Patriot Viper Steel 4400MHz CL15 kit is the DDR4 RAM kit you should consider. Do note that it will run at 2133MHz (PC4-17000) by default and only hits the high frequencies with XMP 2.0. You will, however, have to loosen the timings and cut down the latency to CL19 to hit those speeds.

  • Pros: CL19 for PC4-35200, Faster and cheaper than competing DDR4-4600 kits
  • Cons: No RGB, Pricier than similar performing RGB kits from competitors
  • Available Capacities: 8GB (8GB x 1, 4GB x 2); 16GB (16GB x 1, 8GB x 2); 32GB (32GB x 1, 16GB x 2); 64GB (32GB x 2)
  • Speeds: 3000MHz – 4400MHz with XMP (Base: 2133MHz – 2666MHz)

If you like the idea of a high-speed memory kit from Patriot but don’t want to skip the RGB, the Viper RGB DDR4-3600 kit is for you. The DDR4-3600 (XMP) CL16 edition offers aggressive performance but is cheaper than competing products with similar specs. That makes it a great value if you want the higher speeds, although the slightly slower kits are available at much lower prices.

5. G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 CL16

The Trident Z Neo comes with RGB heatsinks that not only keep your RAM cool but also look incredible while at work inside your PC. It is optimized for AMD’s Ryzen 3000-series desktop processors on X570 chipset motherboards. But it delivers good XMP performance with Intel setups as well. Built with Samsung B-die ICs and custom 10-layer PCBs, it maintains the best signal integrity and offers good overclocking headroom.

If aesthetics are at the front and center of your build, look no further than the G.Skill Trident Z Royal series. However, its highly-stylized design doesn’t mean it prioritizes form over function. Instead, the Royal series consistently tops benchmarks in the fastest gaming rigs, like those powered by the Core i9-10900K. There’s also massive overclocking and tuning headroom, thanks to the high-quality memory ICs and heat-spreaders.

The TeamGroup T-Force Xtreem ARGB DDR4-3600 C14 memory is widely recognized as one of the best PC4-28800 gaming RAMs in the market. However, it isn’t as widely available, and the CL18 variant is what you could pick instead. It costs about $10 less for the 16GB (8GB x 2) kit and should overclock like a charm should you look to push it to the extreme.

The Xtreem ARGB delivers excellent performance, while the all-white aesthetics look great with or without the RGB switched on. Depending on your system, you can even go the whole hog and invest in the 4500MHz C18 kit for just a few extra bucks.

With insane performance and stunning RGB lighting, the Kingston HyperX Predator looks every bit the premium gaming RAM it is. Available in a variety of speeds and capacities, the HyperX Predator range comes with the HyperX Infrared Sync technology and incorporates an aluminum heat-spreader for better thermal dissipation.

  • Pros: Great overclocker, Stunning RGB, Infrared Sync
  • Cons: Relatively expensive
  • Available Capacities: 8GB; 16GB (16GB x 1, 8GB x 2); 32GB (16GB x 2, 8GB x 4); 64GB (16GB x 4); 128GB (16GB x 4)
  • Speeds: 2400MHz – 4800MHz

The Crucial Ballistix DDR4 kit comes with an aluminum heat spreader in multiple color options to match your system build or style. It isn’t as cutting-edge as the ‘MAX’ version but offers almost similar performance on most platforms at a fraction of the price. The Crucial Ballistix series is a relatively inexpensive RAM kit for overclockers that supports XMP 2.0 for one-setting installation and better overclocking.

10. Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 CL16

Corsair Vengeance LPX comes with a pure aluminum low-profile heat-spreader, enabling faster and more efficient heat dissipation while also ensuring that the DIMMs fit even in small form-factor builds. It also comes with a dual-layer PCB that improves overclocking headroom. The Corsair Vengeance DDR4 RAM is compatible with the latest Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards in gaming rigs and pro workstations.

Whether you’re looking to add super-fast RAM to your existing computer, building a cutting-edge gaming rig, or trying to breathe a new life into your aging workstation, the best DDR4 RAM kits listed above are up for the job. So get yourself the RAM kit you believe will best suit your needs (and style), and let us know which one you chose and why.

Alongside RAM, the other thing that can transform your gaming experience is a blazing fast SSD. So check out our list of the best budget SSDs (M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe and 2.5″ SATA III) and pick the one that tickles your fancy.