Buying Guide
The Best DDR4 Ram for PC
We weighed five memory kits on CAS latency and rated speed, and the Signature Line costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
DDR4 memory suits AM4 and older Intel boards. Every pick is a DDR4 kit.
We ranked these memory kits on CAS latency, rated speed and capacity using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these memory kits ourselves, and where a maker leaves out CAS latency, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
Silicon Power Turbine 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16
A plain heatspreader.
Best for: Buyers who want plain heatspreader.
Our take Check price for Silicon Power Turbine 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
PNY 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Low Profile
A low-profile design.
Best for: Buyers who want low-profile design.
Our take Check price for PNY 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Low Profile (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with timings of 16-20-20-38.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
It matches the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 on capacity (16GB (2 sticks)). It also offers 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 SP Turbine, which offers CL16.
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
Also Consider2 of 5
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 SP Turbine offers CL16.
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 SP Turbine leads at CL16. 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 SP Turbine at the time of writing. It gives ground on CAS latency, where the SP Turbine offers CL16.
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 SP Turbine (CL16)
- Capacity trails the SP Turbine (32GB (2 sticks))
- Costs more than the Signature Line at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Silicon Power Turbine 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
SP Turbine lists DDR4-3200 at CL16 at one of the lowest 32GB prices here.
Best for
- Buyers who want plain heatspreader.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Signature Line, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the PNY Low Profile and the Vengeance LPX 32GB on CAS latency (CL16). It also comes with a plain heatspreader. 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. Worth noting too: tight CL16 timings. Worth noting too: capacity of 32GB (2 sticks), ahead of the Signature Line. When we checked, only the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 and cheaper picks cost less, and the PNY Low Profile cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- CAS latency: CL16
- Rated speed: 3200MT/s
- Capacity: 32GB (2 sticks)
- Voltage: 1.35V
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Tight CL16 timings
- Plain heatspreader
- One of the lowest prices among the 32GB DDR4 kits here
- Capacity of 32GB (2 sticks), ahead of the Signature Line
Cons
- Costs more than the Signature Line at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
PNY 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Low Profile on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PNY Low Profile stands out for a low-profile design.
Best for
- Buyers who want low-profile design.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Signature Line, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a CL16 CAS latency and offers a 3200MT/s rated speed. On CAS latency it ties with the SP Turbine and the Vengeance LPX 32GB at CL16. It matches the SP Turbine and the Vengeance LPX 32GB 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper SP Turbine and the pricier Vengeance LPX 32GB, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- CAS latency: CL16
- Rated speed: 3200MT/s
- Capacity: 32GB (2 sticks)
- Low profile: Yes
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Tight CL16 timings
- Low-profile heatspreader that clears large air coolers
- Low-profile design
- Capacity of 32GB (2 sticks), ahead of the Signature Line
Cons
- Costs more than the Signature Line at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Vengeance LPX 32GB lists DDR4-3200 at CL16 in a low-profile heatspreader, a long-running default for DDR4 builds.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Signature Line was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On CAS latency it ties with the SP Turbine and the PNY Low Profile at CL16. It matches the SP Turbine and the PNY Low Profile on capacity (32GB (2 sticks)). It also comes with timings of 16-20-20-38.
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 most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the PNY Low Profile. If rated speed is your priority, the Signature Line (3200MT/s) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- CAS latency: CL16
- Rated speed: 3200MT/s
- Capacity: 32GB (2 sticks)
- Voltage: 1.35V
- Profiles: XMP 2.0
- Low profile: Yes
- Memory type: DDR4
Pros
- Tight CL16 timings
- Low-profile heatspreader that clears large air coolers
- Timings of 16-20-20-38
- Capacity of 32GB (2 sticks), ahead of the Signature Line
Cons
- Costs more than the Signature Line at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Capacity
- We focused on two-stick 32GB and 64GB kits.
- Profiles
- We checked for AMD EXPO and Intel XMP support.
- Fit
- We noted RGB and low-profile heatspreaders where listed.
- Speed and timings
- We compared listed speed and CAS latency.
What to Look for in a DDR4 Ram for PC
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much CAS latency you need
Among these picks, CAS latency runs from CL22 on the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 to CL16 on the SP Turbine. Settle how much you need before comparing prices, since paying for more rarely helps if your use never reaches it.
Lower CAS latency helps
At the same speed, a lower CL number means lower latency. CL30 at 6000MT/s is a common target for gaming.
Buy one two-stick kit
Two sticks run faster and more reliably than four on DDR5. Buy the capacity you need in one matched kit.
Watch heatspreader height
Tall or RGB heatspreaders can clash with large tower coolers. Low-profile kits avoid the problem.
Intel chips take faster kits
13th and 14th Gen Core chips handle 6400MT/s and faster DDR5 more readily than AM5, especially on Z790 boards. Check the board's memory support list above 6400MT/s.
How to Choose a DDR4 Ram for PC
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Buyers who want plain heatspreader | SP Turbine | A plain heatspreader |
| Buyers who want low-profile design | PNY Low Profile | A low-profile design |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Vengeance LPX 32GB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with timings of 16-20-20-38 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Kit | CAS latency | Rated speed | Capacity | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Line | Not listed | 3200MT/s | 16GB (2 sticks) | Not listed |
| TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 | CL22 | 3200MT/s | 16GB (2 sticks) | 1.2V |
| SP Turbine | CL16 | 3200MT/s | 32GB (2 sticks) | 1.35V |
| PNY Low Profile | CL16 | 3200MT/s | 32GB (2 sticks) | Not listed |
| Vengeance LPX 32GB | CL16 | 3200MT/s | 32GB (2 sticks) | 1.35V |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | Kits |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Signature Line, TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 |
| About $150 to $250 | SP Turbine, PNY Low Profile, Vengeance LPX 32GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these memory kits compare on capacity?
The SP Turbine, at 32GB (2 sticks). The PNY Low Profile follows at 32GB (2 sticks), while the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 has 16GB (2 sticks).
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
At our last price check the Signature Line was the cheapest pick and the Vengeance LPX 32GB the most expensive; the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 was the next step up from the Signature Line.
Does RGB memory perform differently?
No. RGB adds lighting and height, not speed.
Is DDR5-8000 worth it?
On AM5, rarely; it often runs out of sync with the memory controller. It suits Intel builds tuned for high speeds.
What happens if I don't enable EXPO or XMP?
The kit runs at a slower default speed. Enable the profile in the BIOS to get the rated speed.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Signature Line, chosen for the lowest price among these memory kits at the time of writing. Look at the TEAMGROUP Elite DDR4 for a 1.2V standard-voltage module, the SP Turbine for a plain heatspreader and the PNY Low Profile for a low-profile design if those matter more to you.
DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable; check your board.