BEST Ram For i5-12600k: DDR4 And DDR5 Options
It’s great news that Intel’s returning to form for the PC world, but perhaps users who want future-proof mid-tier gaming have gained more than anyone else. In addition to competing with the 5800X, the 12600K signals a bright future for mainstream CPU core counts and clocks. The best RAM for i5 12600K has already been recommended for other components, so let’s talk about it again!
A major change with the new platform is DDR5 compatibility. Each new generation of memory takes time to mature, and history is repeating itself once again. In addition to being much less expensive, the finest DDR4 kits are still in play. You can customize your purchase decision to fit your current and future needs by finding a healthy mix of both standards.
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1 G.Skill Trident Z Neo
Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Clock speed: 3600MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Die: Samsung B | RGB: Yes
It rivals DDR5 in terms of performance
The potential for overclocking is excellent
Stunning
For DDR4 RAM, it is expensive
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Reviews
We prefer to award first place to an old favorite, even though DDR5 is here to stay. The Trident Z Neo is a high-quality DDR4 RAM that is less expensive than most DDR5 alternatives while still being as optimized as DDR4. If you’re willing to put the effort in, there’s even more room to grow from there, making the investment even more sound.
One of the most attractive models in the Trident Z line is the Neo, which has gone through multiple aesthetic evolutions. Mostly, it is due to the contrast between the brushed black and satin silver metal parts of the spreader, which coexist harmoniously. A Trident RAM would not be complete without prongs that extend over the diffuser, giving it a striking appearance.
A Neo’s RGB lighting implementation ensures a boost to both style and performance for your system. G.Skill’s lighting software is vibrant and doesn’t bleed, and you get two means to control it. G.Skill’s lighting software can either be set up by you or your motherboard can arrange RGB synchronization.
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Still as Relevant as Ever
Using the Samsung B-die for its ICs, G.Skill ensured superb stability and overclocking headroom for enthusiastic tinkerers. The DDR4 totem pole is high on 3600MHz and 16 CAS latency, so it is not a deal to be missed for users who don’t care about such things.
Neither TEAMGROUP’s Xtreem nor the Neo are close to the Neo, whether you’re crunching numbers or skulls. One of the best things about the Neo is the fact that it can keep up with DDR5 kits that cost double without a problem. However, that model is even more expensive.
Increasing the voltage offers the option of overclocking the Neo in two directions. You can reduce the CAS latency to 14 and reach 4000MHz.
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Corsair Vengeance DDR5
Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Clock speed: 5200MHz | CAS Latency: 40 | Die: Micron A | RGB: No
For DDR5 RAM, this is a reasonable price
Performance that is decent
The design is unobtrusive and cool
There is little room for overclocking
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Reviews
DDR4 is not going the way of the dodo just yet, but it is hard to ignore the new kid on the block. You will have to settle for no-frills kits like Corsair’s Vengeance if you wish to see what DDR5 has to offer without spending a fortune. DDR5 is still in its infancy at this point, offering a few advantages over previous generations while being more expensive.
This low-riding kit features an eye-catching black heat spreader with alternating textures. It’s been eleven years since Vengeance debut, and we are glad to see the line is still going strong. As the triangles reach the edges, they get smaller. The memory doesn’t have RGB, so the effect might get lost in your PC’s cavern. Its grainy surface gives way to a kaleidoscope of shiny black triangles.
A metal plate covers the side of each DIMM, while a sticker features detailed product information. Since RGB isn’t needed, Corsair was able to reduce the stick’s height to 35mm, which is within most coolers’ tolerances.
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A Taste of the Future
DDR5 has only been made available to three IC manufacturers so far. Corsair selected Micron’s A-die for the Vengeance, a cost-effective option that holds steady at the advertised 5200MHz. Despite the high frequency, the CAS latency of 40 dampens it. There is a built-in voltage regulator on the motherboard that allows it to run at 1.25V, which is much lower than DDR4 RAM’s.
We have answered the question for almost every DDR5 kit regardless of price: Vengeance performs much better. The memory bandwidth is better, and the latency is lower than with the old guard. We’ll see the same thing for almost every DDR5 kit regardless of price. It is likely that gamers hoping for substantial improvements will be disappointed in terms of framerate, since improvements can only be measured in the low single digit percentages.
Since you’d have to use more power and no real gains if you overclocked this kit, it’s not really worth the effort.
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TEAMGROUP T-Force Dark Z FPS
TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4
Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Clock speed: 4000MHz | CAS Latency: 18 | Die: Samsung B | RGB: No
For DDR4 RAM, high frequency is required
In terms of price and performance, our winner comes out on top
Overclocking is still possible
There is only a 16GB kit available
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Reviews
With an Intel CPU and a solid motherboard, you can go beyond the 3600MHz mark, unlike AMD’s chips, which still have some limitations on DDR4 memory frequency. Hence, we chose a TEAMGROUP kit as our third pick. Dark Z RAM is already 4000MHz out of the box with room for improvement. It has dropped drastically in price since release, so grab some now while they last.
A large black heat spreader with a silver T-Force logo in the middle and contrasting white outlines makes this kit slightly over the top and may prove divisive. It reaches beyond the DIMM it protects. In combination with deep cutouts and lots of stamped details, it gives the i5 12600K RAM an armored wing look you’ll either love or you’ll not. You don’t have to stare at it every time you start up your PC since it has no RGB.
Having so much heatsink space costs the Dark Z FPS a lot of height. The cooler is 45mm tall, so you should be able to use most cooling solutions. Make sure, however, that you check with your cooling solution before buying.
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Breaking Barriers
TEAMGROUP has already pushed the voltage to 1.45V, removing that avenue for further growth. The kit clocks in at 4000MHz with a CAS spread of 16-18-18-38. They used Samsung B dies as well. Overclockers who are patient may be able to gain another 200MHz without making any additional adjustments.
There is a small gap between a 400MHz faster and 400MHz slower kit, demonstrating G.Skill’s engineering chops. If you’re looking for an Intel system, you should get the kit that’s more appealing or more affordable at the moment. The only drawback is that the Dark Z FPS comes in 16GB kits, which makes it less futureproof than 32GB models.
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Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL
Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 32GB
Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Clock speed: 3600MHz | CAS Latency: 18 | Die: Samsung C | RGB: Yes
Original version was shorter
Implementation of RGB is excellent
Performs well
Lights only sync with Corsair products
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Reviews
Despite the fact that the original Vengeance RGB Pro wasn’t bad, it was too tall to fit well with beefier coolers. Our second Vengeance module is an upgrade over one of DDR4’s staples. In order to rectify this, Corsair gave the SL a new look and ensured performance was excellent. It isn’t the best RAM for the i5 12600K, but it is close.
In the middle of Vengeance’s evolution, this RAM represents an interesting step. The original RGB Pro memory has a distinct angular shape, but Corsair’s engineers managed to reduce its size to 45mm without compromising its diffuser. It’s a decent material, not quite low-profile, but admirable nonetheless. As well as the triangle cutouts that would be much more prominent on the DDR5 version above, they make their debut as cutouts towards the top of this card.
The SL is a perfect example of Corsair’s ability to implement RGB. Although the Dominator’s Capellix LEDs might surpass the SL’s 10-LED array for brightness and power efficiency, the SL’s regular 10-LED array still looks incredible. iCUE controls the lighting. On the one hand, it’s convenient and highly customizable. However, it doesn’t sync hardware with different lighting styles because it has its own ecosystem.
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Slimming Down
There is a mid-tier designation on the SL based on the die used. Unlike Dominator RAM, where Samsung B-die is used, SL RAM uses Samsung C-die. Those who don’t overclock will not find this to be an issue since 3600MHz at CL18 is quite respectable. Since fiddling with timings, voltages, and frequencies won’t yield much progress, tinkerers should look elsewhere.
However, G.Skill’s memory performs better for gaming despite having the same frequency. It’s normal for a weaker component to perform poorly. However, we’re talking about 2-3 frames less at resolutions that are far beyond comfort with DDR4 RAM at its most refined. If you like highly optimized competitive titles like Valorant, you won’t notice the difference.
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Patriot Viper Steel
Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 16GB
Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Clock speed: 3600MHz | CAS Latency: 18 | Die: SK Hynix M | RGB: No
Value for money is excellent
With or without RGB, it looks great
Various configurations available
There is no headroom for overclocking
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Reviews
In most cases, Patriot’s Viper Steel RAM kits are recommended regardless of platform when making RAM lists. Why? Because Patriot makes affordable RAM kits without sacrificing components. In all the ways that matter, having no RGB is a small price to pay for dense sticks that can compete with more expensive rivals.
In place of detailed work on the heat spreaders, Patriot substituted lighting for the presentation of the Viper Steel. They’re made of aluminum and come in dark gray with black highlights. The serpent that gave the memory its name bears its fangs for an added touch. Although the Viper has a gamer aesthetic, it could still be installed in a business PC.
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Dripping with Possibility
Despite the fact that the Viper is available in a number of kit sizes, we have selected the 3600MHz CL18 version as the best RAM for 12600K. It’s possible to get everything from 32GB sticks that are perfect for small form factor PCs to 4400MHz sticks. SK Hynix’s M-die ICs are used here, but they may vary from kit to kit.
If you still want to save money while getting 16GB per stick, you won’t want to go with frequencies higher than 3600MHz. From a performance standpoint, it’s already decent, trailing by only a few frames at best behind the Neo and other more accomplished DDR5 options. There is no overclocking option available with this kit, which most regular users wouldn’t care about anyway.
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Kingston Fury Beast
Kingston FURY Beast RGB 32GB
Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Clock speed: 4800MHz | CAS Latency: 40 | Die: Micron A | RGB: No
The price-performance ratio for DDR5 RAM is good
Profiles for two XMP servers
Looks sleek and modern
The maximum frequency it can reach is 5200MHz
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Reviews
HyperX memory from Kingston is fondly remembered by many readers. Unfortunately, the brand no longer exists, but Kingston has introduced a primal successor! This is the best RAM for a i5 12600K if you wish to upgrade cheaply to DDR5 without going to the bottom of the barrel. In addition to being fairly fast, it’s pretty, and it’s even available at prices that match Crucial’s.
The Beast still has some HyperX blood coursing through its veins, as evidenced by the heat spreader. Despite its uniform black aesthetic, a new silver fury logo, a DDR5 designation, and the word beast break up its otherwise uniform black design. It’s black with some light stamping and rectangular cutouts that expand the surface area.
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Taming the Beast
With Micron’s A-die ICs on a single-rank configuration, the Fury Beast appears to be the best choice for approachable DDR5 memory. This model is different from others on the list because it has two XMP settings. By default, it runs at 5200MHz at 1.25V with a 40ms CAS latency. In the second profile, the frequency is dropped to 4800MHz with 1.1V voltage requirements and CL38 latency.
As far as reading, writing, and bandwidth are concerned, the Fury Beast is aligned with the Vengeance memory. When you’re already pushing beyond what a capable monitor can display, though, there is little to no difference – just a frame or two at best. In order to gain 200MHz of increase, you’ll have to max out the voltage when overclocking manually.
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Crucial RAM
Crucial Ballistix 3200 MHz DDR4
Type: DDR5 | Capacity: 32GB (2x16GB) | Clock speed: 4800MHz | CAS Latency: 40 | Die: Micron A | RGB: No
Inexpensive DDR5 RAM
Comparing the performance of the device to its expensive competitors, there is a small difference
A stable 5200MHz can be achieved
An aesthetic that is barebones
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Reviews
Among the cheapest DDR5 RAMs for the i5 12600K, Crucial offers the lowest. This memory is aimed at people who don’t care about aesthetics or frills, but only care about a reasonable price to performance ratio. Crucial did an excellent job with the first part and left some room for further improvement. It’s still expensive compared to DDR4, but much less expensive than some of the more high-end stuff on the market right now.
The steady drop in DDR4 prices has forced manufacturers to add elaborate heat spreaders and flashy RGB to their kits to distinguish them from their competitors. You won’t find any of that with Crucial’s RAM. No, it doesn’t even have a basic heat spreader, and it does not need one since its frequencies and timings are in compliance with JEDEC’s DDR5 minimum frequency and timings.
A sticker identifies each module’s specs, but you can easily peel it off to reveal the ICs. Note that Crucial doesn’t throw any sense into the heat sinks.
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DDR5 101
In light of the fact that Critical is a consumer-oriented company under Micron’s wing, the use of Micron A-die makes no sense. At its default settings, the RAM does not even stress the processor much, since it runs at 4800MHz at CL40. Crucial’s memory memory can be overclocked to 5200MHz by feeding it more power, thereby resolving some of its deficiencies. Also, the memory requires just 1.1V in power requirements.
You might notice that the memory’s transfer speeds and bandwidth are lower than the competition’s, which may affect gamers. The memory’s comparatively poor artificial results are the main reason for its shortcomings. In contrast to expensive models, cheap DDR5 RAM is almost entirely interchangeable and not nearly as bad when compared to them to justify the price difference.
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Final thoughts on BEST Ram For i5-12600k
After reviewing several options, it appears that the best RAM for the i5-12600k would be a DDR4 memory kit with a frequency of at least 3000 MHz and a capacity of at least 16GB. Some good choices include the Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz C16 or the G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz C16. It is important to note that the specific RAM kit that is the “best” for a particular system can depend on a variety of factors, such as the motherboard, overall system configuration, and personal preferences. It is always a good idea to do thorough research and consider multiple options before making a decision.
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