best low profile RAM for small form factor PCs (Best Low Profile RAMs Of 2023)
A lot of low-profile RAMs are available, but choosing the right one for you might be challenging. Below are our recommendations for low-profile RAM. To maximize your system’s performance, you need to buy the right RAM (Memory) kit. You need to make sure that RAM modules not only perform well, but also fit your system, if you’re using a small form factor (SFF) case, or if you have an air cooler that causes clearance problems with your RAM modules.
However, low profile RAM modules fit into the same slots on your motherboard because they are smaller than their regular-sized counterparts. The main difference is height, which usually comes in at a maximum of 34mm. RAM modules with large heatsinks or RGB lighting are much taller than regular RAM modules.
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HyperX Fury RGB 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 CL16 DIMM – Best Overall
Kingston FURY Beast 32GB (2x16GB)
Pros
A black low-profile heatsink designed for optimal compatibility with low-profile processors
Up to 3200 MHz can be achieved with built-in XMP profiles for plug-and-play functionality.
Cons
To achieve peak performance on AMD platforms, some BIOS tweaking was necessary.
One-channel option
In addition to its superior memory, Kingston also offers a line of high-end products, such as the Fury. Kingston is one of the world’s leading memory manufacturers, and the Fury is by far their best offering. It is simplistic, it works well, and it is reasonably priced – sounds like a winning combo, doesn’t it?
The 3200MHz kit, though, has a C15 latency, whereas rivals’ kits have a C16 latency, so it’s fantastic. What’s more, the 3200MHz kit has a C15 latency, while rivals’ kits have a C16 latency. It is fairly straightforward to use the HyperX Fury memory kits. They have a metal heat spreader to keep them cool, and some HyperX branding. This module has a height of 34.1mm, making it compact and low-profile, and its power and price make it a good choice.
Why is this the best low-profile DDR4 RAM?
In comparison to most of the other DDR4 alternatives, the HyperX Fury is a fast and inexpensive low-profile DDR4 RAM. This RAM can add speed and performance to your computer without straining your budget.
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Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16
Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8GB)
Pros
Sleeper kits benefit from a muted layout
Heatsinks that are highly compact are fully compatible with bulk coolers
Timings that are tight with dual-channel operation
Skills in overclocking are impressive
Cons
1600 MHz support is missing from some motherboards
Last-generation systems only
Vengeance LPX RAM kits are among the most popular RAM kits on the market today. With an all-black heat spreader, a 34mm overall height (including the heatsink), and exceptional performance, this is a no-compromise option for customers who want the best low-profile RAM available.
You can choose from larger capacities of up to 128GB, and faster performance of up to 4600MHz. A number of modules are available with CAS delays of C13, whereas most of the high frequency modules have CAS delays of C16 or C19. As well as hand-sorted chips that produce stable performance and can even be overclocked, Vengeance LPX modules feature a high-performance heatsink and PCB that support video processing and 3D modeling tasks. For those who don’t prefer black, the Vengeance LPX is also available in red, white, and blue, so you can match the rest of your setup with it.
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OLOy DDR4 RAM 16GB – Budget Pick
OLOy DDR4 RAM 16GB (2x8GB) Blade
Pros
Affordability
Design with simplicity
Warranty is lifetime
Cons
Too simple a design
New brand
Some people might find this RAM kit too tall
It is compatible with both AMD and Intel machines and the latest gaming systems and PCs. The 288-pin, 1.35V UDIMM kit transports data at a maximum speed of 2133 MHz to 3200 MHz.
Despite not being the most eye-catching or spectacular to look at in terms of aesthetics, the board’s price reflects that. Moreover, the armored design adds around 8mm to the board’s height, making it 38mm high. It can still fit beneath a CPU fan with a clearance of 40mm, although this may concern some.
The OLOy brand is relatively unknown compared to other giant brands, but this doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. When the stick is used for the first time after it has been installed, it is expected to boot properly. In the event it doesn’t, you will receive a full refund.
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Patriot Viper 4 Blackout Series DDR4 16GB
Pros
Overclocking is possible with this RAM module
Tests are conducted on the RAM kits
Design that is sleek
Cost-effective
Cons
Ryzen platforms are not supported
3600Hz is the maximum speed
It features a completely redesigned heatsink that safely removes heat when the chip is getting hot, making Patriot Viper 4 one of the best RAM kits on the market today. With these RAM kits, you will be able to use your newest Intel and AMD graphics cards with maximum performance. They are designed mainly for gamers, but they will also work well in PCs that require a lot of resources. Each kit is individually hand-tested and subjected to a series of quality control tests, along with the option to overclock the RAM and use XMP 2.0 support.
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Silicon Power DDR4 16GB~best low profile RAM for small form factor PCs
Silicon Power DDR4 16 GB 2400 Mhz 288-PIN Unbuffered DIM Memory Module – Green
Pros
Price is excellent
Performance of XMP is excellent
Cons
There is no RGB software on it
You may want to consider Silicon Power DDR4 16GB if you don’t mind not having brand names on your RAM modules but want high-performance RAM with overclocking capacity.
In addition to lifetime warranty, this memory comes in a 16GB package and is compatible with XMP. Aura Sync and ASUS GIGABYTE RGB Fusion are also included, but it doesn’t feature its own RGB application, so they’re required. It offers a 1.4V power supply, a 3200MHz frequency, and a CL16 latency option. Additionally, it comes at a great price and can be overclocked well.
While Silicon Power’s DDR4 doesn’t offer superior performance, it does match up to premium goods in terms of performance. Furthermore, it comes at a great price, is easy to install, and is pretty, but that may not be enough to make it the best low-profile RAM kit on our list. Nevertheless, it should be enough for you to seriously consider it.
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Mushkin Redline Black – DDR4 DRAM – 16GB
Mushkin Redline Lumina – DDR4 RGB Gaming DRAM
Pros
Overclocker of excellent quality
Speed and performance are impressive
Affordability
Cons
A much higher frequency can be achieved with the latest DDR4 memory modules
Too simple a design
Mushkin Redline Black memory modules have a reputation for being reliable and efficient, and the Mushkin Redline Black DDR4 memory module is no exception. The Mushkin Redline Black is a reliable, affordable, and high-performance RAM module that is ideal for gamers and overclockers.
It has a looped heatsink for increased surface area and elegance, along with a stunning aesthetic, and the Redline Black uses a more traditional approach to design, without RGB lighting. With its 3200 MHz CL16 XMP rating, it’s also ideal for balancing price and performance at the same time. On paper, this kit appears to meet all of the requirements for a retro-cool budget build. Mushkin Redline’s pricing is extremely reasonable. You also get a lifetime warranty with this RAM module, which is very helpful if you intend to use this kit for a long time to come.
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TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 16GB Kit~best low profile RAM for small form factor PCs
TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB)
Pros
Overclocking’s best
Low latency support for Tiger CAS
Operation on two channels
Cons
Only ASUS PCs support this RAM module
AMD’s platform requires some tweaking to reach full speed
PC gaming setups are killed by extreme temperatures, which is why these memory kits include thermal transfer features that are built right in. The “T-shape” heatsinks keep such a low profile, which is remarkable. They support XMP 2.0 overclocking, and their ultra-low voltage allows them to save energy. In addition, these Vulcan Z memory chips support 2666 MHz to 3600 MHz. In addition to working with AMD and Intel systems and the latest processors, the T-Force Vulcan memory kits are stable. Just be aware that the operating speed of a memory module varies greatly based on the CPU and system settings.
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How do you choose the best low profile RAM for small form factor PCs?
There are a few factors to consider when choosing the best low-profile RAM. Here are the points to keep in mind:
Height
A low-profile RAM module can measure up to 34mm in height, but that may not be enough for your build. Choosing a kit with no heatsink, such as Patriot’s Signature 31mm Line Series, will save a few more millimeters, or choosing the Vengeance LPX kit from Corsair will.On the product page of most CPU Cooler Manufacturers, you will find a compatibility check for the RAM Modules you would like to buy.
Capacity
Modern builds are currently equipped with 16GB of RAM, but if you need more RAM to handle demanding workloads, such as editing videos or modeling 3D models, you should get as much as possible. For professional workflows such as working and rendering in Cinema 4D or Blender, you’ll need more RAM. 32GB is good, but 64GB is better.
Two RAM sticks are always a good idea.
It allows your system to access memory modules in dual-channel mode instead of single-channel, so you can run workloads that require a lot of bandwidth more efficiently. If you need 16GB of RAM, get two 8GB sticks, if you need 32GB of RAM, get two 16GB sticks, and so forth. You can view some single versus dual channel memory benchmarks by Steve from gamersnexus. In order to get the best performance from your HEDT System, consider purchasing four or even eight RAM modules.
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Speed (frequency and CAS latency)
When selecting a kit, you need to take the frequency into account. Higher frequencies indicate faster RAM, which impacts performance significantly. In some workloads, you can benefit from even faster RAM, although 3200MHz to 3600MHz is a good starting point.
The price of the kits tends to skyrocket when you go above 3600MHz, so you have to find a price that is right for you. The CAS latency (column address strobe) is the number of clock cycles between when data is requested and when it is available. If both kits have the same frequency, a lower CAS latency kit will be faster than one with a higher CAS latency kit.
Therefore, higher frequency RAM kits with higher CAS latency may not necessarily perform better than lower frequency RAM kits with lower latency. Here’s how to find the RAM kit with the lowest latency at the fastest frequency supported by your processor and motherboard: find the highest frequency supported by your processor and motherboard, then buy the kit that has the lowest latency at that frequency, if they fit your budget. You can get the fastest RAM this way. Here’s an example: A 32GB CL16 3200MHz Kit will be faster than a 32GB CL18 2666MHz Kit. In crude terms: The lower the latency and higher the frequency, the better.
Check the QVL list
Manufacturers of motherboards offer qualified vendor lists, which contain components (including RAM) that have been tested and proven to work with a specific motherboard. Choosing your RAM kit based on its QVL list is a good way to know it will work on your motherboard or the motherboard you plan to buy. There are also RAM kits that do not appear on the QVL list, but still function correctly.
Don’t mix and match
It is important to keep in mind that you should not mix and match RAM kits. When you buy two (or four) sticks of RAM, make sure they have the same frequency and CAS latency. In case your system runs at all, it will run at the slower stick if the RAM module has a different frequency or CAS latency.
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Final Thoughts on best low profile RAM for small form factor PCs
Your use case will determine which of these is the best option for low-profile RAM for your setup, though all of them are excellent choices. This article features low-profile RAM kits made by well-known manufacturers whose products have gained a reputation for being of high quality.
You may get significant performance and memory efficiency gains by selecting the most recent released option if you are building a brand-new setup with the latest components. With any of the modules mentioned above, however, you can get the best RAM kit for your computer as well as the best cooling for your CPU.
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