Buying Guide
The Best DDR4 RAM for Gaming
We weighed four memory kits on CAS latency and rated speed, and the Signature Line costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
DDR4 still suits AM4 and older Intel builds at a lower price. Every pick is a DDR4 kit of 16GB or more, ordered by speed.
Rankings weigh CAS latency, rated speed and capacity as the makers state them; we did not test these memory kits ourselves, and if a maker skips CAS latency, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
G.SKILL Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18
Timings of 18-22-22-42.
Best for: Buyers who want timings of 18-22-22-42.
Our take Check price for G.SKILL Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 10-layer PCB.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Patriot Signature Line 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200
The lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for Patriot Signature Line 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
TEAMGROUP Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL22
A 1.2V standard-voltage module.
Best for: Buyers who want 1.2V standard-voltage module.
Our take Check price for TEAMGROUP Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL22 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timings of 18-22-22-42. | Buyers who want timings of 18-22-22-42. | Check price for G.SKILL Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 10-layer PCB. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for Patriot Signature Line 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 (opens in a new tab) |
| A 1.2V standard-voltage module. | Buyers who want 1.2V standard-voltage module. | Check price for TEAMGROUP Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL22 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
G.SKILL Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Ripjaws V lists DDR4-3600 at CL18 with XMP 2.0 in a black heatspreader.
Best for
- Buyers who want timings of 18-22-22-42.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Signature Line was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
This is a non-ECC DDR4 desktop kit rated at 3600MT/s with CL18 timings. It needs XMP enabled in the BIOS to run at that speed, and results depend on the motherboard and CPU. On CAS latency it ties with the T-Create Expert DDR4 at CL18.
It matches the T-Create Expert DDR4 on capacity (32GB (2 sticks)). Enable the memory profile in the BIOS after installing it; without it, the kit runs at a slower default speed. It is a DDR4 kit, so it fits AM4 boards and LGA1700 boards sold in DDR4 versions; it does not fit AM5, LGA1851 or any DDR5 board. Its price falls between the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 and the T-Create Expert DDR4, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- CAS latency: CL18
- Rated speed: 3600MT/s
- Capacity: 32GB (2 sticks)
- Voltage: 1.35V
- Profiles: XMP 2.0
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Tight CL18 timings
- Timings of 18-22-22-42
- Black heatspreader
- Rated speed of 3600MT/s, ahead of the Signature Line
Cons
- Costs more than the Signature Line at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 4
TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
T-Create Expert DDR4 offers 3600MT/s at CL18 on a 10-layer PCB with no lighting.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Signature Line, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the Ripjaws V on CAS latency (CL18). It matches the Ripjaws V on rated speed (3600MT/s). On capacity it ties with the Ripjaws V at 32GB (2 sticks).
Enable the memory profile in the BIOS after installing it; without it, the kit runs at a slower default speed. It is a DDR4 kit, so it fits AM4 boards and LGA1700 boards sold in DDR4 versions; it does not fit AM5, LGA1851 or any DDR5 board. Another plus is tight CL18 timings. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ripjaws V the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- CAS latency: CL18
- Rated speed: 3600MT/s
- Capacity: 32GB (2 sticks)
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Tight CL18 timings
- 10-layer PCB
- No lighting
- Rated speed of 3600MT/s, ahead of the Signature Line
Cons
- Costs more than the Signature Line at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 4
Patriot Signature Line 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Patriot Signature Line lists DDR4-3200 at the lowest price among the kits here.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- The maker gives no CAS latency, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
On rated speed it ties with the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 at 3200MT/s. It matches the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 on capacity (16GB (2 sticks)). You also get a plain module without a heatspreader and 16GB as two 8GB modules for dual-channel.
Enable the memory profile in the BIOS after installing it; without it, the kit runs at a slower default speed. It is a DDR4 kit, so it fits AM4 boards and LGA1700 boards sold in DDR4 versions; it does not fit AM5, LGA1851 or any DDR5 board. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed CAS latency should compare it with the Ripjaws V, which offers CL18.
Key dimensions & specs
- Rated speed: 3200MT/s
- Capacity: 16GB (2 sticks)
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Plain module without a heatspreader
- The lowest price among the kits here
- 16GB as two 8GB modules for dual-channel
- The lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing
Cons
- No published CAS latency
Strong Alternative4 of 4
TEAMGROUP Elite 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-3200 CL22 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 brings to the table is a 1.2V standard-voltage module, plus a fallback to 2933 or 2666MT/s on older boards.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1.2V standard-voltage module.
Skip if
- Skip it if CAS latency matters most to you; the Ripjaws V offers CL18.
Why we like it
It also offers a CL22 CAS latency and offers a 3200MT/s rated speed. Its CL22 CAS latency is the loosest in this group; the Ripjaws V leads at CL18. It matches the Signature Line on rated speed (3200MT/s).
On capacity it ties with the Signature Line at 16GB (2 sticks). Enable the memory profile in the BIOS after installing it; without it, the kit runs at a slower default speed. It is a DDR4 kit, so it fits AM4 boards and LGA1700 boards sold in DDR4 versions; it does not fit AM5, LGA1851 or any DDR5 board.
It was priced above the Signature Line and below the Ripjaws V at the time of writing. It gives ground on CAS latency, where the Ripjaws V offers CL18.
Key dimensions & specs
- CAS latency: CL22
- Rated speed: 3200MT/s
- Capacity: 16GB (2 sticks)
- Voltage: 1.2V
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Tight CL22 timings
- 1.2V standard-voltage module
- Fallback to 2933 or 2666MT/s on older boards
Cons
- CAS latency trails the Ripjaws V (CL18)
- Rated speed trails the Ripjaws V (3600MT/s)
- Capacity trails the Ripjaws V (32GB (2 sticks))
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up four kits on CAS latency, rated speed, capacity and voltage, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Ripjaws V to the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4, state rated speed, capacity and memory type and share DDR4 memory type.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Signature Line gives no CAS latency; the T-Create Expert DDR4 and the Signature Line give no voltage.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Signature Line ($100 to $150) to the T-Create Expert DDR4 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a DDR4 RAM for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Rated speed
Here rated speed runs from 3200MT/s on the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 to 3600MT/s on the Ripjaws V. Start with the Ripjaws V if rated speed decides it.
Capacity across these picks
Here capacity runs from 16GB (2 sticks) on the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 to 32GB (2 sticks) on the Ripjaws V. The Ripjaws V is the pick for capacity.
CAS latency
Here CAS latency runs from CL22 on the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 to CL18 on the Ripjaws V. Start with the Ripjaws V if CAS latency decides it. No figure for the Signature Line.
Extras that separate them
The T-Create Expert DDR4: no lighting. The Signature Line: the lowest price among the kits here. The TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4: a fallback to 2933 or 2666MT/s on older boards.
Budget
$100 to $150 buys the Signature Line and the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4; $150 to $250 buys the Ripjaws V; $250 to $500 buys the T-Create Expert DDR4 at our last check.
How to Choose a DDR4 RAM for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want timings of 18-22-22-42 | Ripjaws V | Timings of 18-22-22-42 |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | T-Create Expert DDR4 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 10-layer PCB |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Signature Line | The lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 1.2V standard-voltage module | TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 | A 1.2V standard-voltage module |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ripjaws V leads on rated speed at 3600MT/s, ahead of the T-Create Expert DDR4 at 3600MT/s. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Kit | CAS latency | Rated speed | Capacity | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ripjaws V | CL18 | 3600MT/s | 32GB (2 sticks) | 1.35V |
| T-Create Expert DDR4 | CL18 | 3600MT/s | 32GB (2 sticks) | Not listed |
| Signature Line | Not listed | 3200MT/s | 16GB (2 sticks) | Not listed |
| TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 | CL22 | 3200MT/s | 16GB (2 sticks) | 1.2V |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Signature Line was the lowest-priced pick and the T-Create Expert DDR4 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Kits |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Signature Line, TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 |
| About $150 to $250 | Ripjaws V |
| About $250 to $500 | T-Create Expert DDR4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the T-Create Expert DDR4 add over the Signature Line?
On paper it adds rated speed (3600MT/s against 3200MT/s) and capacity (32GB (2 sticks) against 16GB (2 sticks)). The Signature Line was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Signature Line our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing. It suits anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Do the Ripjaws V and the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 differ on voltage?
The Ripjaws V uses 1.35V; the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 uses 1.2V. The makers of the T-Create Expert DDR4 and the Signature Line don't say.
What extras do the Ripjaws V and the T-Create Expert DDR4 include?
The Ripjaws V: timings of 18-22-22-42. The T-Create Expert DDR4: a 10-layer PCB. The Signature Line: a plain module without a heatspreader.
Who should choose the T-Create Expert DDR4?
The T-Create Expert DDR4 carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 10-layer PCB. It ranks second of 4 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ripjaws V, chosen for timings of 18-22-22-42. Look at the T-Create Expert DDR4 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a 10-layer PCB, the Signature Line for the lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing and the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 for a 1.2V standard-voltage module if those matter more to you.
Pair the kit with a board that supports its rated speed.