TOP 15 best DDR4 RAM: 2021 rating and which one to choose for 32 GB

This rating of DDR4 RAM on our website Vyborcen.com is an excellent option to quickly select the right model. For easier navigation, we have divided the rating into categories:

• The best DDR4 RAM for price/quality for 2021.
• Best DDR4 8GB RAM.
• Best DDR4 16GB RAM.
• Best DDR4 32GB RAM.
• Best gaming RAM DDR4.

The most current and popular RAM format today is DDR4.

It can be installed on personal computers, laptops, and other mobile devices. DDR4 not only provides increased data processing speed, but also energy savings and increased DIMM capacity.

The range of models on the computer components market is large; a dozen new products appear every year, so it is important for the buyer to know at least some of the nuances of choice and which manufacturers produce the highest quality product.

We offer you a selection of the most popular DDR4 modules for 2021, as well as brief instructions for selecting the model you need.

Rating of the TOP 15 best DDR4 RAM models of 2021

Testing

Well, it's time to move on to the results obtained during testing.

AIDA64

The synthetic test reveals the capabilities of the modules very well.

In the read/write tests, the modules, in general, lined up depending on the operating frequency. At the bottom, as expected, is the budget Crucial, and at the top is the group of high-frequency G.Skill.

Memory latency directly affects performance, and in the diagram above you can see the relationship between frequency and memory timings.

TechArp x264

Video encoding yielded results that differed little for all modules, and therefore I considered the diagram unnecessary. In the Pass 1 test, the difference between the fastest G.Skill Trident Z RGB DDR4-3600 32 GB CL16 and the slowest Crusial Ballistix Sport LT DDR4-2400 16 GB CL16 was less than 3%. In the more difficult “Pass 2” the difference was generally reduced to 1%.

How to choose DDR4 RAM in terms of price/quality ratio?

It is important to remember the following:

• The advertised 4600 MHz DDR4 models certainly look tempting - the ability to overclock transfer speeds to 36,800 MB per second! - but in reality they are suitable either for avid gamers or professionals who do rendering or solve similar problems. Both the first and the second must have the appropriate class of equipment and finances, since such DDR4 modules are expensive.
• There is no such thing as too much RAM: the more of it, the faster your computer works, the faster applications open, and the less likely it is to experience glitches. 8 GB is enough for undemanding applications and multimedia tasks (working with Word and spreadsheets, listening to music, watching movies). 16-32 GB is the so-called “golden mean”, which is enough for most popular games (it will also be enough for new games, but just right) and for comfortable multitasking. For professional work, it is better to take it with a reserve for the future - 32 GB or more.
• The clock frequency measured in megahertz is indicated in the characteristics, and the real one is less than the effective one. Once again, a module with higher frequencies is needed by professionals. For the rest, from 2933 MHz to 3466 MHz will be enough.
• Regarding timings: the lower, the better. CL16, CL17, CL18, CL19 - working timings, CL14 and CL15 - expensive "bells and whistles" for gamers.
• There are only 2 form factors: DIMM (Dual in-Line Memory Module) - a double-sided universal module and SO-DIMM (Small Outline Dual In-Line Memory Module) - a convenient model for tablets and laptops.

How much memory can be installed on the motherboard is written on the board itself. And the number is not infinite!

conclusions

So, over the past couple of months, we have clearly shown that flagship processors without and with high-frequency RAM are devices with noticeably different levels of performance. This has been proven using the example of the flagship 8-core Ryzen 7 2700X and now – using the example of the top 6-core Coffee Lake chip.

In our opinion, a balanced PC with a fast CPU should have a kit of high-frequency memory. HyperX Fury HX434C19FRK2/32 model shows itself perfectly

. The effective frequency of 3466 MHz is a completely relevant characteristic in 2021, which certainly cannot be called useless. In addition, the set has 32 GB of memory - for example, in a gaming computer this amount will last for a long time.

HyperX Fury DDR4 3466 MHz RAM is already available in HyperX partner stores: - On the DNS network (details here); — In Yulmart (details here); — In Citylink (details here); — At Rozetka.com.ua (details here).

For more information about Kingston and HyperX products, please visit the company's official website.

Expert opinion

Vlad

HyperX Fury 32GB DDR4 3200MHz DIMM 288-pin CL16 HX432C16FB3/32

Not bad RAM for computers in the above-average price category. There are no special advantages, but there are no disadvantages either. Dimensions will fit any tower cooler. While maintaining standard timings, the RAM easily overcomes the 3600 MHz mark when overclocked. You can reach 3733 MHz.

Basil

HyperX Fury 8GB DDR4 2666MHz DIMM 288-pin CL16 HX426C16FB3/8

Four months of use. The flight was normal, I got what I wanted and expected to see, even a little more - I switched from a very old system (MSI board from the mid-late 2000s + Core2Duo 8400 + 4gb RAM) New combination: Asus Prime h410m-e + Intel i5 10400f + Gammax 300b blue + Geforce 650 gtx 2 gb (old) + CoolerMaster MWE White 450 + Kingston A400 480 gb + 2 pcs. Hyperx Fury 8gb + Ginzzu SL 220 case At medium settings, it can easily run popular multiplayer games, even despite the rather outdated video card, there are 70-110 fps (but I tuned and cleaned Windows for performance). I don’t play new games, so I can’t tell you anything. I’m not entirely satisfied with the purchase, according to subjective feelings after 4 months of work - I would have taken a Samsung or a micron instead of a Kingston. But technically everything is smooth, so it’s a matter of taste.

Egor

Patriot Memory SL 16GB DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM 260-pin CL17 PSD416G240081S

Excellent price-quality ratio. Works like a clock, started up with a module on micron chips, unfortunately the laptop only runs at 2133 in frequency. The flight has been excellent for two months of operation. If you need to buy again, choose the same one without hesitation.

Alexey M.

Samsung 8GB DDR4 2666MHz SODIMM 260-pin CL19 M471A1K43CB1-CTD

There was a similar bracket from the factory. The new one fit perfectly, even if it was from early batches. The increase in work speed is noticeable. Do not forget that it is better to make 2 identical planks than one large one. This will enable dual-streaming and speed up.

Ivan

Patriot Memory SL 16GB DDR4 2400MHz DIMM 288-pin CL17 PSD416G24002

Quietly drives up to 3200 MHz and 3400 MHz. Mother of x570 steel legend and 3600x. Maximum performance according to Aida turned out to be a memory frequency of 3400 MHz, timings 20-20-20-50-70-1, Infinity Fabric frequency 1700 MHz, voltage 1.35. Speed ​​is exactly DDR4. 16 gigs is enough for everything, I reserved a couple of them for a disk in RAM.

Arthur

Patriot Memory SL 8GB DDR4 2666MHz SODIMM 260-pin CL19 PSD48G266681S

Good RAM, system speed has increased significantly - these are advantages. I didn’t notice any shortcomings because there can’t be any. Upgrading the Legion y520 laptop took 10 minutes, and the system speeded up significantly. The flight is normal. I recommend.

Sergey

GoodRAM 8GB DDR4 2666MHz DIMM 288-pin CL19 GR2666D464L19S/8G

Price-overclocking. Native frequency 2666 timings 19-19-19 43 Overclocking to 3200 MHz Memory timings 16-18-18-36 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS) at a voltage of 1.350 V. I didn’t push it any further, I don’t see the point. Percent Intel. Disadvantages: For me this is not a disadvantage, there are no radiators, but they are not needed. I'm not a fan of lights and all sorts of whistles.

Sergey Bulatov

Crucial 4GB DDR4 2400MHz DIMM 288-pin CL17 CT4G4DFS824A

I bought it for my work computer and had to increase it to 8 GB. (4+4) was no longer enough to simultaneously operate a browser with a bunch of open tabs, WhatsApp, Telegram and several Excel tables. Now everything works great. I recommend.

Dima

HyperX Predator RGB 8GB DDR4 3200MHz DIMM 288-pin CL16 HX432C16PB3A/8

Started up on ASRock B450 Steel Legend with Ryzen 1600X when XMP profile was enabled at 3200 MHz, overclocked to 3400 without increasing timings, works stably. Beautiful lighting, synchronized without problems with the ASRock Polychrome RGB motherboard software. I overclocked it to 3400 MHz without increasing the timings, the LinX test passed successfully, I didn’t get more than 3400 without errors. I bought one bar with the expectation of adding a second one later. I recommend purchasing the RAM.

Novel

Crucial 4GB DDR4 2400MHz DIMM 288-pin CL17 CT4G4DFS824A

Started on the Asrock b450 motherboard at 3200 with timings 19-19-19-39, Ryzen 3 2200g, without raising the voltage. Two 4Gb sticks. It is probably possible to get lower values, but with increasing voltage, I did not do this - the computer is not a gaming one. I think there is no point in overpaying for all sorts of beautiful radiators.

Ivan Zolotukhin

Patriot Memory VIPER 4 BLACKOUT 16GB (8GBx2) DDR4 3200MHz DIMM 288-pin CL16 PVB416G320C6K RAM Patriot Memory VIPER 4 BLACKOUT 16GB (8GBx2) DDR4 3200MHz DIMM 288-pin CL16 PVB416G320C6K

Memory is like memory. Got up without any problems. Set 3200 MHz for 16 lines. The required 3200 MHz works. xmp profiles are in place. On Ryazhenka zen+, the maximum provided frequency is 2933, there are no problems with working at 3200. Theoretically, you can overclock it more, but you will have to do it manually, I have not tried. There are radiators, especially if the case is well ventilated, then the memory does not heat up.

Vladimir Skvortsov

Crucial 8GB DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM 260-pin CL17 CT8G4SFS824A

Great memory! It started up without any problems in dual-channel mode with a frequency of 2400 at timings of 17:17:17:39 paired with the stock bracket from Micron 8atf1g64hz-2g3h1 (Dell 7567 laptop). Latency 72.7 ns. The module manufacturer is Crucial, and the DRAM is from Micron. When I turned it on for the first time, the BIOS warned me about memory expansion and suggested rebooting. Well, the best part is that I grabbed this bar for almost nothing, for 1600₽ (2100 promotional price - 500 store bonuses).

Samsung DDR4 2666 DIMM 8Gb

Probably, almost every user has heard about this sensational model from Samsung. Unfortunately, you won’t find a set of several planks, but nothing prevents you from buying one piece at a time and installing them together. In addition to its extremely low cost, this memory has excellent overclocking potential, which is why overclockers love this RAM. The stock speed here is only 2666 MHz, but without much difficulty on a good motherboard this module will take the frequency from 3200 to 3666 MHz, despite the fact that dual-rank memory usually runs worse than single-rank memory.

Advantages

Excellent overclocking potential Very cheap Very common on the market

Flaws

Appearance - couldn’t be simpler

Top RAM manufacturers

The rating of the best brands of RAM manufacturers will help you make a more accurate choice:

• Crucial. A well-known brand whose RAM stands out for its excellent parameters and high quality. Crucial RAM is overclockable, stable at high frequencies and suitable for gamers.
• HyperX. A subsidiary of Kingston that produces products for gamers. HyperX memory meets the highest demands, overclocks perfectly and is always loved by overclockers.
• Corsair. A well-known manufacturer of gaming peripherals and components, including RAM. Corsair RAM is well-cooled, RGB-lit, and overclockable.
• Patriot. A brand known for gaming peripherals and high-quality RAM strips. Patriot RAM is valued for its high quality performance and good overclocking capabilities.
• Kingston. A brand that produces everything related to memory - from flash drives and SD cards to SSD drives and RAM. Kingston RAM will satisfy any needs, including the needs of gamers.

RAM 8 GB 2 pcs. ADATA XPG Spectrix D60G AX4U300038G16A-DT60

A-Data Technology introduces XPG Spectrix D60G DDR4 RAM modules designed for use in gaming desktop computers.

The products received multi-color RGB backlighting with a large luminous area. You can control the backlight using a motherboard that supports ASUS Aura, ASRock RGB, Gigabyte Fusion and MSI RGB.

Another feature of the modules is the original casing, which is designed in the style of “diamond facets”. Thus, the products allow you to give the desktop system a very impressive look. Support for overclocker profiles Intel XMP 2.0 has been implemented, which will facilitate the selection of settings for the RAM subsystem in UEFI.

Very beautiful. Well made. Not bad XMP profiles. Programmable RGB lighting. Lifetime warranty. PRICE is an order of magnitude lower than competitors.

Which memory modules are best to buy?

You should choose a RAM according to certain criteria, the main one of which is the module size.

• For a simple work computer, 2-4 GB is enough;
• Multimedia will require from 4 to 8 GB;
• In most cases, 8-16 GB will be enough for a gaming model;
• A powerful gaming computer or professional machine for working with heavy programs will have to be equipped with memory of 16 gigabytes or more.

RAM works faster if it is divided between several sticks. That is, two 4 GB modules are better than one 8 GB module.

Modern PCs use DDR3 and DDR4 generations of RAM. The latter is faster, more powerful and requires less electricity, but it is only compatible with new motherboards and processors. DDR3 is an aging, but still popular RAM, compatible with almost everything that has gone on sale in the last 6 years. Yes, and it costs less.

Memory frequency is the amount of information transmitted in 1 second. The higher this indicator, the faster the OP will work. For third generation strips (DDR3), frequencies from 1333 to 1866 MHz are available. DDR4 modules show the best results: from 2400 to 3600 MHz.

Timings are the RAM delay time between operations. Here the opposite principle is observed (it is better that the delays are minimal). But for ordinary users, the difference between CL 9 and CL 16 is almost unnoticeable, so there is no point in chasing milliseconds too much.

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