The Best DDR5 RAM to Pair with Ryzen 9 9950X

The AMD Ryzen 9000 series of CPUs have made a big splash in the desktop processor space. The new CPUs are based on the AM5 platform and offer notable improvements over the previous generation Ryzen 7000 series CPUs, including support for faster DDR5 RAM. The top of the line offering in the Ryzen 9000 series is the Ryzen 9 9950X, and it performs best with fast DDR5 RAM rated for 6000 MT/s to 6400 MT/s, even though the spec sheet for the CPU states 5600 as the default memory speed.

The Ryzen 9000 series includes four processors: Ryzen 5 9600X, Ryzen 7 9700X, Ryzen 9 9900X, and Ryzen 9 9950X. The 9600X is the budget-friendly, entry-level offering, while the 9950X showcases what the new generation of CPUs are capable of. It carries 16-cores, 32-threads, and supports a maximum boost clock speed of 5.7 GHz out of the box, and with some overclocking, it can be pushed even further. When paired with the right DDR5 RAM, you can expect excellent gaming performance.

The rated XMP/EXPO overclock speed for the included RAM kits and how stable they are at these speeds will depend on the capability and compatibility of the motherboard and CPU.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best DDR5 RAM for Ryzen 9 9950X

For optimal performance with your Ryzen 9 9950X, it would be ideal to pair it with an EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) compatible high performance RAM and the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series is just that, with stylish aesthetics to boot. The two 16GB modules bring 32GB of dual-channel memory, which is more than enough for any game or productivity task. It has a tested EXPO speed of 6000 MT/s, hitting the sweet spot for the Ryzen 9 9950X.

The G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series has an operating voltage of 1.35 volts with EXPO enabled and tight timings of 30-38-38-96. It is also on the lower end when it comes to latency, with a CAS latency (CL) of 30. Along with these high-end specifications, the modules come with a dual-textured design which blends a black brushed-aluminum inset and precision CNC highlight stripes. At the top is a light bar that does not run across the entire module like most other RAM options but offers endless customization.

Available in both black and white modules, the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB is the perfect DDR5 RAM for Ryzen 9 9950X. G.SKILL also offers a limited lifetime warranty for its RAM modules, so you can rest assured that the company will not put its hands up when you contact it for repairs or troubleshooting. Do note that the modules are 44mm tall, and they should fit in most cases, but make sure to check for clearance issues if building in a small form factor case.

For those on a tight budget, the Kingston FURY Beast 16GB RAM kit is a great entry point. Compatible with two EXPO 1.0 profiles, two XMP 3.0 profiles, as well as one programmable profile, the Kingston FURY Beast modules can run at 6000 MT/s which is great for Ryzen 9000 series CPUs, including the Ryzen 9 9950X. For under $90, you get two black 8GB sticks that look much more expensive than they are.

Despite its budget price, this kit does not compromise on RGB lighting and there is a light bar that runs end to end. Kingston also has a version of this kit without RGB, and it is even cheaper. Regardless, this kit offers excellent performance out of the box with a CAS latency of 36 and tight timings of 36-38-38. On top of that, it gets some extra stability thanks to the On-die ECC or ODECC, which helps maintain data integrity when pushing the modules to their limit.

The Kingston FURY Beast modules come with a low-profile heat spreader that is capable of keeping the modules cool under load, but make sure to check clearances before you purchase these sticks. There is also a white version of the Kingston FURY Beast kit which shows off some of the design elements a bit better.

Corsair has been excellent RAM modules that not only perform well but also look stunning inside any PC case. With the dual-channel Vengeance RGB 32GB RAM kit, the company has pulled it off once again, and these DDR5 modules deliver top tier performance, perfect to pair with the Ryzen 9 9950X. The two 16GB modules are clocked at up to 6000 MT/s, which means right out of the box, you can expect the best possible performance out of your Ryzen 9 9950X CPU.

The Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM is compatible with both Intel XMP and AMD EXPO overclocking profiles, which means both Intel and AMD CPU users (with compatible motherboards) will be able to more easily push the RAM to its limits. The modules also offer lower CAS latency than the competition at 30 and an operating voltage of 1.40 volts. These specs, combined with the aluminum heat spreader, tight timings, and stylish RGB lighting make the Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM the best kit for the Ryzen 9 9950X.

In terms of design, the modules come with excellent iCUE powered RGB lighting on top. Each light bar includes 10 individually addressable RGB LEDs that allow for endless customization. What’s also great about these Corsair modules is that the company offers a limited lifetime warranty, so you can always go back to Corsair for any issues, no matter when you purchased the RAM.

XPG (sub-brand of ADATA) has established itself in the gaming memory space alongside giants like G.SKILL, Corsair, and Kingston. It offers high-performing DDR5 RAM modules and the XPG LANCER RGB DDR5 64GB kit is a prime example of that. The two 32GB modules come in white and black colors, both of which have stylish RGB lighting at the top. Compatible with AMD EXPO, the XPG LANCER RGB DDR5 64GB kit can reach speeds of up to 6400 MHz with a latency of 32 and timings of 32-39-39.

The operating voltage for the kit is relatively lower at 1.35V thanks to the built-in Power Management IC (PMIC) which also improves power supply stability. XPG has also added on On-die ECC like the Kingston FURY Beast for improved stability and reliability, especially when overclocking.

The RAM sticks have a full-length RGB light bar at the top along with a triangular cutout that showcases more lighting on the sides. The lights can be controlled via the XPG Prime software or any other RGB control software from major motherboard manufacturers. There are about eight present effects to customize the lighting how you want.

The XPG LANCER RGB DDR5 64GB is a fairly expensive kit for the Ryzen 9 9950X, and you may be able to get even higher capacity (96GB) for around the same price, but with lower rated EXPO speeds.

Not all gamers are satisfied with the typical 16GB or even 32GB of RAM. These users are probably taking on other productivity tasks that demand a lot of RAM and, for them, the Team Group T-CREATE EXPERT 96GB kit stands as the best option. The Ryzen 9000 series of processors don’t really benefit from quad-channel memory, so it is ideal to stick with dual-channel and 96GB seems to be the highest possible capacity with two DDR5 RAM modules.

There are 64GB DDR5 modules as well, but they are designed for use in servers.

If you are willing to invest close to $350 on just RAM, the Team Group T-CREATE EXPERT 96GB kit gets you speeds of up to 6800 MHz, a CAS latency of 36, timings of 36-46-46-84, at an operating voltage of 1.40V. It should be noted that the Ryzen 9 9950X will default to 5600 MHz for the RAM and this particular kit is not EXPO certified, so you will have to try using XMP profiles which may allow you to run the modules at a higher clock speed. However, stability on an AMD platform with XMP profiles is not the best and will require manual tweaking.

Despite the high price tag, you do not get any RGB lighting with this Team Group T-CREATE EXPERT kit. What you do get is high-quality components and design, including a one-piece cooling module, aluminum heat spreader, 10 layers of printed circuit boards, a high-quality IC, and customized high-temperature resistant capacitor.

G.SKILL has been in the RAM game for a long time, and it has been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to RAM speeds, capacity, design, as well as latency. Its Trident Z5 Royal Neo modules are capable of operating at very low CAS latency of 28 which, along with tight timings of 28-36-36-96 and a clock speed of 6000 MHz, results in excellent gaming performance when paired with the Ryzen 9 9950X CPU.

This 32GB (2x16GB) kit from G.SKILL is part of its Royal series, which is the premium lineup with a unique crystal-shaped light bar that showcases the RGB lights underneath. Coming with gold and silver options, this kit can spruce up any average looking PC. This kit also comes with EXPO support, making it the ideal companion for Ryzen 9000 series CPUs. G.GKILL has tested the EXPO speed to be 6000 MT/s at 1.40V and this means you will be in the performance sweetspot.

Keeping the modules cool is an aluminum heatspreader that is CNC-cut. They are put together using hand-screened memory ICs connected to a custom 10-layer PCB which ensures stability when overclocking. The RGB lights can be controlled via most major system lighting software, such as ASUS Aura Sync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome Sync.

Factors to Consider When Looking for the Best DDR5 RAM for Ryzen 9000 CPUs

Finding the best DDR5 RAM for the latest Ryzen 9000 series CPUs is not as simple as it sounds and there are a few things you should consider:

Capacity

For the purposes of gaming, it is recommended to use at least 16GB of RAM as it should be sufficient for even the more demanding titles. On the other hand, having 32GB will ensure smooth operation for intensive tasks beyond just gaming. The highest possible capacity for mainstream DDR5 RAM that you can get is 96GB in the form of two sticks of 48GB each.

Clock Speed

Clock speeds can be mentioned in “MHz” or “MT/s” but both values are essentially the same. AMD Ryzen 9000 series CPUs are compatible with DDR5 RAM at a base clock speed of 5600 MHz, which means out of the box, any RAM module that is higher than that will default to 5600 MHz, but by enabling EXPO, you can reach the 6000 MHz to 6400 MHz sweetspot.

XMP or EXPO

Both XMP and EXPO are memory profiles that allow overclocking, with the difference being XMP is an Intel technology while EXPO is open-source tech from AMD. Both AMD and Intel CPUs can make use of either technology, but performance can be questionable. It is ideal to use EXPO certified RAM with the AMD Ryzen 9000 series of processors, but XMP certified RAM modules will work just fine at the maximum clock speed rated for that particular CPU.

Latency

Measured as CAS latency, it is an important metric that measures the delay between a request for data and when it is fulfilled. The lower the latency, the faster the performance. The lowest latency DDR5 RAM you can get is the G.SKILL Trident Z5 Royal Neo, which comes with a CAS latency of 28.

FAQ

Q: How much does Ryzen 9000 cost?

The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X is priced at $649, the Ryzen 9 9900X costs $499, the Ryzen 7 9700X is priced at $359, and the entry-level Ryzen 5 9600X costs $279.

Q: Is AM5 ddr5 only?

Yes, AM5 platform only supports DDR5 RAM.