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Buying guide for best DDR4 RAM for PC
Here in this buying guide for best DDR4 RAM for PC we shall discuss important performance features that one need. For instance, the speed, latency, timing and Size are all important factors to put into consideration.
Is DDR4 RAM the same for desktop and laptop?
It goes without saying that laptops can’t accommodate DIMM memory and desktops cannot accommodate SO-DIMM memory, so you ought to pay attention to not buying the wrong type. Luckily, you can tell the difference immediately.
Which DDR4 RAM is best for PC?
Best DDR4 RAM for gaming
TEAM XTREEM ARGB 16GB DDR4-3600MHz C14. The best RAM for gaming. …
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB DDR4-3200MHz. The best high-end RAM for gaming. …
- Skill Trident Z Neo 32GB DDR4-3600MHz. …
Colorful CVN Guardian 16GB DDR4-3200. The best budget RGB memory. …
- Skill Trident Z Royal 16GB DDR4-4000MHz. …
What is RAM
It refers to temporary memory for computers, also known as random-access memory. RAM is continuously overwritten and refreshed, unlike a HDD or SSD, since its purpose is to allow a CPU to access data quickly and conveniently without storing it permanently.
Despite its speed, it is much faster than any permanent storage option. Although, the main drawback of it is that it can only store data temporarily while it is powered, which is why it cannot be used for long-term storage.
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And why is RAM important in a PC?
We already know that this is used to store data relevant to the processor or the GPU that needs to be accessed quickly. The importance of this is obvious when dealing with efficient multitasking, such as keeping a variety of programs open at the same time and working smoothly. With regard to gaming, it allows games to store everything they need to access quickly, including all the relevant assets. Read more on best low profile RAM for small form factor PCs
Laptop and Desktop RAM
Choosing Ram
Notebooks/notebooks and desktop computers use different types of RAM, which differ mostly in size and pin configurations through which they are connected to the motherboard.
Desktops and laptops use DIMM (Dual In-Line Memory Module) (also known as UDIMM) modules. SO-DIMM (Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module) can be found in smartphones and tablets. In essence, SO-DIMMs are smaller DIMMs.
Normally, DIMMs are 5.25-inches long, as opposed to the 2.74-inches in length of SO-DIMMs, which has to do with the space constraints inherent in a laptop. 260 pins are available on SO-DIMM, while 288 pins are available on DIMM.
It goes without saying that laptops can’t accommodate DIMM memory and desktops cannot accommodate SO-DIMM memory, so you ought to pay attention to not buying the wrong type. Luckily, you can tell the difference immediately.
Choosing The Right Type of DDR
How To Pick Ram
Over the past two decades, home computers have used four different types of RAM: DDR, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4.
Around 2016, DDR4’s mass-market adoption reached the majority of modern computers. DDR3 memory and motherboards supporting DDR3 are still available, but DDR3 is approaching its end-of-life.
Without delving deep into the technicalities, let’s just say that DDR4 is significantly faster than its predecessor and that it is an improvement in virtually every way.
There’s one important important difference: DDR4 isn’t backwards compatible with older motherboards and CPUs, and DDR3 isn’t forward compatible with newer ones. Thus, you cannot purchase a DDR4-compatible motherboard and install it on an older DDR3-compatible motherboard. You cannot even install DDR3 on a modern DDR4-compatible motherboard.
How do I choose the best RAM for my computer?~ Buying guide for best DDR4 RAM for PC
Games can benefit from increased frame rates and pacing when using RAM. Ensure that the RAM you select works at the right speed and capacity. It is important to understand the difference between different memory forms, such as DIMM and SO-DIMM. Multitaskers should at least have 16GB of RAM. Modern games require more RAM.
Is RAM for laptop and desktop the same?
The RAM in a desktop computer is larger than the RAM in a laptop computer. … On average, a desktop RAM module measures 4.5 inches in length, and a laptop RAM module is around 3 inches in length. Accordingly, the difference in size is primarily determined by the pin configuration and the physical length. A laptop RAM module is approximately 50% shorter than a desktop RAM module.
Timings and Latency
CAS/CL stands for the latency, which is the duration of time between the time when the read command is issued and the time when the data is available for processing. As synchronous DRAMs such as DDR4 are measured in clock cycles rather than nanoseconds, latency is measured in clock cycles instead of nanoseconds.
To keep this simple, let’s just say that, just like clock speeds and bandwidth, latency doesn’t matter much to most gamers. In gaming, lower latency offers virtually no performance benefits, so it is hardly worth the extra money to spend on it, and capacity should be prioritized over latency.
RAM Capacity
As we mentioned previously, capacity is important when it comes to gaming, and 16 GB is currently the highest recommendation. By 2022, 32 GB or more of RAM will be overkill on a gaming computer, while 8 GB will be insufficient.
If you plan on running RAM-intensive programs or just want a more future-proof build, you can go up to 32 GB, but you should start with 8 GB at first and upgrade later. However, in a gaming PC, your GPU and CPU are far more important, so don’t skimp on those for the sake of more RAM, especially if you are planning to upgrade in the future. You can always add more RAM if you feel 16GB isn’t enough for your needs. RAM is one of the easiest components to upgrade in a PC.
CPU and GPU upgrades, however, are trickier, which is why they should be prioritized over RAM. When buying memory for a new build or upgrading your laptop or desktop, you might be confused about how much clock speed matters. or how to determine what memory timings actually mean. You’ve come to the right place whether you’re shopping for memory for a new build or upgrading your existing machine. When it comes to shopping for RAM, we will explain all the things you need to consider.
desktop memory
In this article, we’ll mainly discuss desktop memory. Even so, most of the advice and technical details also apply to laptops. The only difference between laptops and traditional desktops is that you’ll need to buy SO-DIMMs (small outline dual in-line memory modules in laptops) instead of DINMS (dual in-line memory modules) in desktop computers. Memory is soldered to the motherboard of many slim laptops of today. Please consult the manual before purchasing.
Memory Timings
Performance can be measured in other ways besides RAM speed. The RAM timing is a measure of latency. It shows how long it takes for RAM to process commands. A module’s factory sticker will indicate the memory timing as a series of numbers, such as 16-18-18-36.
The numbers correspond to specific tests. The first number is, for example, the CAS (Column Address Strobe) Latency, which measures the time it takes the memory module to return data following a request from the memory controller.
RAM modules can be compared on the basis of timings, but this can be difficult. CAS Latency, for instance, does not specify the duration of each cycle when judging responsiveness; the total number of cycles isn’t the only thing that matters. Memory that has a lower CAS Latency, but has a slower clock speed, is DDR3 memory.
A gaming PC usually doesn’t prioritize memory timings over other factors. Overclockers are interested in timings because, by lowering them in the BIOS, they can automatically test for stability. Having good timings means that you will be able to get the most out of your RAM.
The most important considerations for gaming PC users are the RAM capacity and speed.
Overclocking1 RAM
Overclocking can take you beyond the stock specifications if you have high-performance RAM. In most cases, this can be accomplished using Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (Intel® XMP).
In the BIOS of a compatible motherboard, Intel® XMP profiles are selected to enhance performance by adjusting voltage, timings, and frequency. All settings are pre-configured and have undergone extensive testing and certification. Several motherboards are also capable of tweaking memory profiles, as well as fine-tuning BIOS settings manually.
Physical form factor
Would you happen to know that the RAM found in a computer operating system is going to be different from what you would find in a computer operating system? Usually, RAM modules are found in the form of DIMMs, which stand for double in-line memory modules. Generally, there are four types of DIMMs in the market:
It is common to find unbuffered and unregistered UDIMMs on the PC market. RAM marked as UDIMM is more likely to be listed as “DIMM” than as “DIMM”.
The SO-DIMM type of RAM is the most commonly used for laptops, since it is what you need to run them. In other words, a SO stands for “small outline,” meaning that it’s like a DIMM, but smaller. Similar to above, SO-DIMMs are also unbuffered, so that’s what you’d expect for laptop RAM.
MicroDIMMs have the same properties as SO-DIMMs, but are even smaller. The second type of RAM module is far less common than either of the previous two, though it may be used in some laptops or smaller devices.
How much RAM do you ?
Based on current research, 16 GB is considered the optimal amount for mainstream work-related computing tasks in terms of price to performance. There should still be enough headroom to run several applications at the same time and have a dozen Chrome tabs open before you experience any lags.
A workstation computer that runs rendering software, scientific modeling applications, and CAD would need at least 16 GB of memory. The RAM on a 3D design workstation is frequently up to 32GB.
Finding the right RAM upgrade for your system
The memory in laptops and desktops differs and can’t be interchanged! This applies to server memory as well. You can upgrade your RAM using modules or sticks. Modules typically come with a set amount of RAM, which varies between 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB.
Mixing and matching RAM modules is not a good idea. Even if the modules have the same voltage and form factor, you should consider sticking with the same kit if possible. In most cases, RAM modules are sold in packs of two or four (or more if you are purchasing RAM for several systems), which are designed to work together on a single motherboard.
Motherboard and RAM compatibility
The motherboard of your computer will also determine the amount of RAM you can add, since it has a limited number of dual in-line memory module slots (DIMM slots), which you use to install RAM. Engineer inspects printed circuit logic board produced in the final stage of production.
The DDR form factor is a standard for computer RAM modules. There can only be one, and the one that your motherboard supports mostly depends on its age. Desktop PCs generally come in the following varieties:
DDR4 SDRAM
synchronous dynamic random-access memory of fourth generation double data rate. PCs from 2015 and later contain this generation of RAM.
DDR3 SDRAM
It is synchronous dynamic random-access memory of type three, double data rate. Used in computers until the end of 2015. A large majority of legacy computers built between 2003 and 2007 use DDR2 SDRAM (double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory).
DDR5 SDRAM, which enters the market in 2021, makes several improvements over previous standards, improving the performance of intensive processing such as video encoding, CAD, and scientific computation.
Several other RAM specifications are also worth mentioning:
It is unlikely that you will notice a difference between a memory module running at 1866 MHz and another running at 1333 MHz unless you are benchmarking performance. In server workstations that process higher amounts of data, speed considerations are more crucial.
Latency (Timings) – RAM’s timing or latency is expressed as four numbers separated by a dash. Smaller numbers and better performance are to be expected. The best performance can be achieved on motherboards that support multiple channels of memory. It is possible to shop RAM according to system-specific memory to meet these requirements.
What Is XMP?
The Extreme Memory Profiles (XMP) are a new set of configurations provided by Intel. They are accessible through the BIOS. Overclocking can be applied automatically to nonstandard memory by using this setting. In comparison to other overclocking technologies, XMP has some limitations:
In addition, some modules have XMP values that exceed the capabilities of the motherboards they are attached to.
XMP Asus
Turning on XMP in an Asus BIOS
Intel may have developed XMP, but AMD motherboards designed for enthusiast users also support it. Motherboard manufacturers sometimes use their own names, such as Asus’s D.O.C.P., to describe motherboard settings that alter timing in order to further stabilize AMD’s different memory controllers.
XMP is typically criticized for its insufficient module programming. The motherboard will retain the CAS 15 setting if you choose a middle value such as DDR4-3200 when many memory kits only have two automatic configurations – DDR4-3600 CAS 18 and DDR4-2133 CAS 15. When you attempt to configure the memory manually, CAS 16 must be used for DDR4-3200 to operate properly.
It is possible for different users to disagree about which memory product is the best. As it pertains to ease-of-use however, it’s easier to argue for a DDR4-3200 kit that contains a DDR4-2933 secondary XMP alongside a basic configuration of DDR4-2666, DDR4-2400, and DDR4-2133 than it is to argue against having those fallbacks.
No Guarantee
There is no guarantee that overclocking will work, and it’s helpful to know that the party won’t stop just because some other, non-XMP component of the system (for instance, the CPU’s memory controller) isn’t cooperating with XMP settings that are supposed to work.
What Is Dual-Channel RAM?
Dual-channel memory is common in modern computers. With dual-channel (or interleaved) mode, the CPU’s memory controller can read and write to two RAM sticks simultaneously through two channels. As a result, bandwidth is increased.
When only two DIMM slots are available on a motherboard, Dual-channel mode is automatically enabled. For symmetrical memory installation, however, two sticks must be installed in a motherboard with four slots. It is also common to color-code the slots, but they may be staggered or arranged in parallel fashion. For more information, refer to your motherboard documentation.
Optimal performance requires consistency in the speeds, capacities, and timings of each stick of memory. Mixing different specifications should be avoided whenever possible.
Closing Thoughts on buying guide for best DDR4 RAM PC
It’s also important to note that, even though differences between models technically are interchangeable, it’s not a good idea. It is possible to experience unexpected compatibility issues, crashes, and overall performance problems when combining RAM modules from different manufacturers.
Moreover, if the modules that you use operate at different clock speeds, the speed of every module will be capped at the speed of the slowest module. To summarize: choose RAM modules with sufficient capacity over kits with high capacity, leave expansion room if necessary/possible, and don’t mix and match different models if you decide to upgrade your RAM later on. Also, if you’re thinking about upgrading, you might be interested in our picks for the best RAM for gaming in 2022 if you’re looking for RAM.
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