Desktop RAM

The desktop memory here comes from G.Skill and Corsair. It runs from DDR4 3200MHz CL16 sticks (G.Skill Aegis and Ripjaws V, 8GB and 16GB) to DDR5. The DDR5 range starts with the Ripjaws S5 and Corsair Vengeance at 5200 to 5600MHz. It moves through the Flare X5 and Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6000MHz CL30 kits for AMD and ends at the Trident Z5 CK RGB 48GB (2x24GB) at 8200MHz. Capacities go from 8GB sticks to 128GB (2x64GB) kits, in plain and RGB versions. G.Skill covers its modules with a 10 year warranty, and Corsair gives its Vengeance modules 10 years.

Start with the motherboard. A DDR4 board takes only DDR4 and a DDR5 board only DDR5, and the DDR5 modules have their own page. EXPO kits such as the Flare X5 and Trident Z5 Neo are tuned for AMD Ryzen on AM5. XMP-only kits target Intel, and kits marked Intel XMP / AMD EXPO carry both profiles. For capacity, 16GB suits office use, 32GB suits gaming, and 64GB or more suits video editing. The G.Skill desktop modules have a page of their own.

Frequently asked questions

Can DDR5 RAM go in a DDR4 motherboard? No. The two are keyed differently and are not compatible, so buy the type your board supports.

Should I buy one stick or a 2x kit? Two matched modules run in dual channel and give more bandwidth, so a 2x16GB kit usually suits gaming better than a single 32GB stick.