5 Best RAM Kits for AMD Ryzen 5000 Processors
RAM is actually one of the most sensitive components of any PC and finding the best RAM for your particular machine might be a bigger chore than you anticipated. Especially for AMD’s Ryzen CPUs, the RAM kit selection is a bit more important than on Intel due to the fact that Ryzen benefits a lot from good memory compatibility. Moreover, faster RAM speeds with tighter timings also give a huge benefit to Ryzen CPUs up to a certain point. It is, therefore, crucial to select the right memory kits for your Ryzen 5000 series CPUs in 2022.
So how did we choose the best RAM kits for this roundup? Several factors were considered most important of which was good compatibility across a wide range of AMD CPUs and motherboards especially the new Ryzen 5000 series. The speeds and the latency ratings of the memory kits are mentioned as a recommendation, however, buyers can choose their own preferable frequency and timings as they see fit. Any special features like overclocking headroom of the RAM kit have also been considered in this roundup to give you a comprehensive lineup of impressive memory kits for Ryzen 5000 series CPUs.
With that out of the way, here are the 5 best RAM kits to buy for AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs in 2022.
1. G.Skill TridentZ Neo DDR4-3600 (2 x 8GB)
Best AMD-Optimized RAM Kit
Pros
- High Performance RAM Kit
- Optimized For AMD
- Great Lighting and Aesthetics
- Solid Overclocker
Cons
- A Bit Expensive
Capacity: 16GB (2 x 8GB) | Frequency: 3600 MHz (XMP) | Timings: 14-15-15-35 (2T) | Voltage: 1.45V | Lighting: RGB | Warranty: Lifetime
Check PriceGSkill has always been one of the top brands for memory in gaming PCs and their Neo lineup of memory kits is no exception. Not only is this kit an exceptional performer out of the box, but it is also one of the best-looking memory kits on the market. GSkill’s TridentZ Neo is also specifically optimized for AMD CPUs which means it will work just fine with the new Ryzen 5000 series of CPUs as well.
You can choose your own preferred frequency and timings for this RAM kit but we recommend the TridentZ Neo DDR4-3600 CL14 for this kit. The frequency of 3600 MHz is really good for the Ryzen architecture due to the fact that the infinity fabric of the CPU is perfectly synced with the DRAM frequency at 3600MHz so this frequency ensures optimal performance on Ryzen CPUs. You can also get away with 3200MHz with a bit tighter timings however the balance of frequency and latency is just right for this combination.
Speaking of latency, this recommended kit comes with the timings of 14-15-15-35 (2T) which is great for latency-sensitive applications. These timings are some of the best among 3600MHz RAM kits on the market, and this means that you will get quite a big performance boost over any standard RAM kit with a CL16 or a CL18 latency rating. The TridentZ Neo achieves these timings at 3600MHz with a voltage of 1.45V. This makes the TridentZ Neo a prime candidate for overclocking as well.
Aesthetically, the TridentZ Neo is one of the best looking RAM kits out there. It features a two-tone brushed aluminum heatspreader with a black and silver finish. The modules also have an angular design to them which is fairly obvious at the top of the module where the light bar is present. The TridentZ Neo features one of the most popular RGB implementations among RAM kits with a beautiful RGB light bar that is slightly angular towards the center and has the words “G.Skill” written on it. The RGB of this RAM can be controlled with the G.Skill TridentZ Lighting Control software and many motherboard software.
Overall, the GSkill TridentZ Neo is an excellent RAM kit for the AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPUs. The recommended 3600MHz CL14 memory kit would maximize the performance of your CPU while the kit also improves the looks of your PC due to its beautiful aesthetics.
2. Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4-3200 (4 x 8GB)
A Great Option From Corsair
Pros
- Excellent Performance
- Wide Compatibility Range
- Beautiful RGB Bar
- Good for Manual Overclocking
Cons
- Comparitively More Expensive
Capacity: 32GB (4 x 8GB) | Frequency: 3200 MHz (XMP) | Timings: 16-18-18-36 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Lighting: RGB | Warranty: Lifetime
Corsair’s Vengeance RGB Pro is another great RAM kit for Ryzen 5000 series as it combines excellent performance with beautiful aesthetics for a great combination. Corsair offers this memory kit in both black and white so the buyer has the option to match the color of the RAM kit to the theme of their build. A wide range of frequencies and timings are also available in the Vengeance RGB Pro.
Our recommendation for the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro is for a 32GB kit. This 32GB kit features 4 x 8GB modules which make up a reasonably-priced kit given the specifications. 32GB is way more than is required by games right now but if you want the extra memory capacity for video editing, 3D animation, or productivity workloads, then you should definitely consider this kit.
This kit from Corsair’s Vengeance RGB Pro lineup is rated for 3200MHz at CL16. Now, these frequencies and memory timings might not seem like the best for Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, but in reality, you will be hard-pressed to notice any real-life difference between this kit and the one from TridentZ Neo mentioned before. The Corsair offering also has decent overclocking and tuning headroom for those of you looking for it. This 32GB kit is a bit more expensive than 32GB kits from other manufacturers but the combination of Corsair’s reliability and the quality of this kit makes it worth it.
As far as looks go, the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro is a beautiful looking memory kit. It is extremely popular among those who are looking for a white-colored RAM kit to match the white aesthetics of their PC as Corsair does offer a white option of this kit. The heatspreader itself is plain-looking and not as aggressive as the TridentZ, however, the real attraction of this kit is the light bar. Corsair has installed a huge continuous RGB light bar on the top of these modules that runs along the entire length of the top and even tapers off the side a bit. The lighting of these modules can be configured using Corsair’s iCUE software.
All in all the Corsair Vengeance Pro RGB is not only a great-looking memory kit but it also delivers good performance at a relatively good value. Considering that it is one of Corsair’s finest memory kits, the small premium for this 32GB kit over the alternatives is worth it in our opinion.
3. Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4-4400 (2 x 8GB)
Solid High-Speed RAM Kit
Pros
- Rated for High Speeds
- Reasonably Tight Timings
- Good Stealthy Look
Cons
- Low Overclocking Headroom
- No Lighting
Capacity: 16GB (2 x 8GB) | Frequency: 4400 MHz (XMP) | Timings: 19-19-19-39 (2T) | Voltage: 1.45V | Lighting: None | Warranty: Lifetime
If you are looking for a high-speed memory kit then the Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4-4400 kit might be for you. The Viper Steel Series from Patriot is a performance-focused line of memory kits that skips some of the more consumer-focused features like RGB for a really robust and reliable module design. These modules are often rated for high frequencies and they have a lot of overclocking headroom as well.
We recommend the Patriot Viper Steel Series DDR4-4400 kit for those of you looking to pair some high-speed memory with your Ryzen 5000 series CPU. This memory kit has a wide compatibility net although you are better off with some of the higher-end X570 motherboards for optimal performance from this RAM kit. The 4400 MHz frequency can be achieved via the XMP profile at CL19, and that delivers some really high performance without completely going overkill.
This particular kit is rated for the timings of 19-19-19-39 (2T) which are not the best on the market however they are good enough for a RAM kit that is running at 4400MHz. What this kit does provide though is high overclocking headroom. Due to the high frequency of the RAM kit and the loose timings, there is a lot of tuning potential in this kit. You can choose to lower the frequency of the kit while tightening the timings which is the recommended overclock for this kit, or you can try to push the 4400MHz frequency even farther. This is one of the finest RAM kits for overclocking.
In terms of looks, the Viper Steel Series is not particularly exceptional. As mentioned before, this kit is more focused on performance than aesthetics so Patriot decided to cut some costs by removing any lighting from this kit. The metal heat spreaders do have an aggressive look to them with the eye-catching design language and the Viper logo in the middle, and that gives these modules a stealthy look when installed in a system. The lack of lighting might be a deal-breaker for some people though.
If you are looking for a high-speed memory kit then this one from Patriot is definitely one to consider.
4. TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem ARGB DDR4-3200 (2 x 8GB)
Great RGB Alternative
Pros
- Another Great Performing RAM Kit
- Optimized For AMD
- Affordable
Cons
- Controversial Aesthetics
- Limited Availability
Capacity: 16GB (2 x 8GB) | Frequency: 3200 MHz (XMP) | Timings: 14-15-15-35 (2T) | Voltage: 1.45V | Lighting: RGB | Warranty: Lifetime
If the lack of RGB lighting on the Patriot Viper was a deal-breaker for you, then the TEAMGROUP T-Force Xtreem ARGB kit might just be for you. This RAM kit features one of the most interesting designs on the market when it comes to the RGB implementation, but that is just one half of the story. This is a really good kit with high out-of-the-box performance and good overclocking headroom as well. The kit is also optimized for AMD processors which is good news for Ryzen 5000 series owners.
Among the many available options for this particular kit, we recommend the T-Force Xtreem DDR4-3200 CL14 kit. The 3200MHz frequency is not the fastest by any means but it is enough for the Zen 3 architecture and there is little difference between the 3200 and the 3600MHz variants of this kit. The 3200MHz variant offers more flexibility in overclocking and tuning due to its tighter timings and reasonable price.
Speaking of the timings, the kit is rated for the timings of 14-15-15-35 (2T) which are exceptionally good timings for a relatively affordable 3200MHz RAM kit. The end-user has the option to overclock the frequency of this kit by loosening the timings a little bit which can increase performance slightly in certain scenarios. The voltage used to achieve the rated XMP speeds is 1.45V.
The T-Force Xtreem ARGB kit features one of the more controversial design choices in our roundup today. This kit features huge RGB bars on the top and side of the kit which feature distinct aRGB lighting and that can be controlled via the motherboard software. Whether or not you like this design is up to your personal aesthetic preference so that escapes from the realm of objectivity. If the lighting is configured just right, then this kit does have the potential to be the star of the show for any showcase build.
All in all the T-Force Xtreem ARGB kit is a great alternative to the other RAM kits in this roundup. The 3200MHz CL14 variant is also a bit cheaper than other comparable RAM kits although the availability of this kit may be unreliable.
5. Patriot Viper 4 Series DDR4-3200 (2 x 8GB)
An Option for Overclockers
Pros
- Great Overclocking Performance
- Stylish Red Heatsinks
Cons
- No RGB
- Green PCBs
- Slightly More Expensive than Alternatives
Capacity: 16GB (2 x 8GB) | Frequency: 3200 MHz (XMP) | Timings: 16-18-18-36 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Lighting: None | Warranty: Lifetime
One of the more affordable options on the market comes again from Patriot with their Viper 4 Series. This is another performance-focused RAM kit that offers good performance and high overclocking headroom at a competitive price. Patriot has stripped some of the more fancy features from this kit and made it a pretty barebones option.
Our recommended configuration for the Viper 4 Series is the DDR4-3200 CL16 variant. Spending more on the 3600MHz or CL14 variants does not make sense because the premium is not worth it for this kit. Other RAM kits like the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro or the GSkill TridentZ RGB should be considered for the higher speed configurations.
One of the best features of this kit is its exceptionally high overclocking ability. The Patriot Viper 4 has good overclocking headroom both in terms of frequency and timings as you can tune both of them pretty easily with this kit and get a stable configuration. This kind of tuning potential is rarely available in more competitively-priced kits like the Viper 4 and usually confined to the more premium kits like the TridentZ Neo among others. This kit, in the recommended configuration, should also work nicely with Ryzen 5000 series CPUs out of the box.
The Viper 4 is certainly not one of the better-looking kits in our roundup today. Patriot has opted for a pretty basic design choice for this kit as we have some aggressive-looking red heat spreaders with the word “VIPER” written in the middle. There is no lighting on the modules and the PCBs of the modules themselves are green which is reminiscent of older-style DDR3 RAM modules. The Viper 4 is not made for looks so if you are really looking for a decent performing RAM kit on a budget then these choices should not matter that much.
The Patriot Viper 4 is one of the more affordable options in our roundup but that does not mean that it is a worse performer. The Viper 4 in the recommended configuration delivers some pretty strong numbers and has exceptional overclocking headroom as well, which is nice to have when shopping on a budget.
