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

Crucial Ballistix BL8G32C16U4R 8GB

• Form factor: DIMM
• Volume of one memory module: 8 GB
• Number of modules: 1
• Clock frequency: 3200 MHz
• Timings: 16-18-18-36
• Radiators: yes
• Backlight: no
• Height: 46 mm
• Voltage: 1.35V

There will be a lot of “Ballistics” in today’s selection, but the brand fully deserves such attention, having justified the trust of computer game lovers for many years now: there are very few memory modules on the market with such an attractive price-performance ratio, as well as with unchanged chips: one It’s the case when you know for sure that the chips are based on Micron E-Die, and the probability of successful overclocking is very high, but another thing is when it’s almost impossible to predict what kind of chips there will be and what overclocking potential. The modules under consideration are suitable for both novice users who plan to use memory in nominal mode using an automatically picked up XMP profile, and more advanced users who want to experiment with voltage, frequency and timings.

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!

Purpose of testing

The goal is good: among the proposed RAM kits, of which 28 were taken for testing, select those that will allow you to obtain maximum performance. At the same time, check how well the memory “drives” and find out the suitability of its use on a particular platform.

This is a very pressing problem, because with the release of AMD Ryzen processors last year, it turned out that these CPUs, for all their advantages, are quite picky about the RAM modules they install. The built-in memory controller turned out to be less powerful than the analogue installed in competitor processors. It was not possible to work with memory with a frequency of more than 3200 MHz, and compatibility problems made themselves felt.

The AGESA (AMD Generic Encapsulated System Architecture) update has been released, which is microcode that runs at system startup and serves to initialize the processor at this startup stage.

This situation in itself is not a reason to discount new Ryzen processors, especially since the situation is being corrected with the release of new generations and revisions of the Zen kernel. You just need to remember that for these processors, choosing memory is a slightly more critical moment, and taking the first module you come across, or “that little red one,” is undesirable due to the fact that there is a certain probability that the memory will have to be changed to something else.

Actually, let’s finish the introductory part here and move on to the topic of today’s conversation – the choice of memory modules for AMD Ryzen processors, as well as for their competitors, Intel Coffee Lake CPUs.

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).

Performance tests

Automatic overclocking via the XMP profile increases the frequency established by the JEDEC standard at 2400 MHz with timings 17-17-17-39 at a voltage of 1.20 V to 3600 MHz with timings 16-20-20-39 at a voltage of 1.35 V. However, there are There is a lot of disagreement about the practical value of increasing the frequency of RAM.

Of course, a jump from 3000 MHz to 3200 MHz is unlikely to add a noticeable difference, but... Since all components become faster as they develop (in particular, NVMe SSDs and new fast video cards appear), RAM should not lag behind them in data processing speed.

2400 MHz

3600 MHz

3733 MHz

Comparing JEDEC 2400 MHz speed and XMP 2.0 3600 MHz speed using MaxxMem² provides some interesting results. At a frequency of 2400 MHz, the read speed is 25,417 MB/s, write 33,367 MB/s, copy 28,025 MB/s with a latency of 67.8 ns. At a frequency of 3599 MHz, read speed increases to 29,162 MB/s, write speed to 33,568 MB/s, and copy speed to 34,458 MB/s with a latency of up to 55.8 ns. If we add a little more frequency - 3735 MHz (and this is the maximum that we managed to squeeze out without dancing with a tambourine while maintaining timings of 16-20-20-39) - the read, write and copy speeds increase a little more: 30,472, 33,621 and 36,901 MB/s, respectively, with a latency of 55.2 ns.

2400 MHz

3600 MHz

3733 MHz

The Memory Mark PerformanceTest 10 score of 3,404 shows that the Kingston Fury Renegade DDR4-3600 RAM test bench ranked in the top 12% of PCs in the world for memory performance. And this is at a standard frequency of 2400 MHz. Using the XMP profile, which raised the memory frequency to 3600 MHz, resulted in 4066 points, and raising the frequency to 3733 MHz improved the result to 4128 points, placing our test bench among the top 1% of PCs registered in the benchmark database.

2400 MHz

3600 MHz

3733 MHz

To leave no doubt about the performance gain, we launched the third popular test - AIDA64 Cache & Memory Benchmark - and once again confirmed the results of the measurements we carried out above. True, AIDA, as usual, is more optimistic in its indicators than MaxxMem².