We Tested The Best RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X [Top 3 Options] - Tech4Gamers (2024)

We have thoroughly tested the Ryzen 5 9600X, and it is quite something. The CPU uses a 6-core, 12-thread configuration while providing necessary upgrades over its predecessor, including the 5.4 GHz boost clock speed, increased L1 Cache of 480 KB, and improved efficiency. Of course, you won’t benefit from that performance unless you pair the CPU with an equally capable RAM kit, which is exactly what my list is here to help you with.

Check my final top three recommendations, all compared with each other:

More From The Ryzen 5 9600X:

• Best Motherboard For Ryzen 5 9600X
• Best CPU Cooler For Ryzen 5 9600X

We have also reviewed the slightly higher-end Ryzen 7 9700X, conducting extensive tests to round up the best CPU cooler and motherboards for the processor. I recommend checking those out if you are interested in the 9000-series processors.

Best RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X

Here are my top Ryzen 5 9600x RAM picks:

1. Best Overall: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30
2. Best Value:G.Skill Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30
3. Best Performance:XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 7200 MHZ CL34

G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30

Best Overall RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X

Specifications: Memory Type:DDR5 |Capacity:32GB (2x 16 GB) |Frequency:6,000MHz |Latency:CL30 |Latency (Nanoseconds):10ns |Voltage: 1.35V | RGB:Yes

Right off the bat, the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5 6000 CL30’s stunning design is what stood out to me the most. The kit uses a dual-tone accent on its heatsink, with the white stripes adding to the appeal. RGB is also well-integrated with the RGB bar spanning across the entire module. In our tests, the kit managed to perform really well thanks to its 6000 MHz speed and the CAS30 latency.

The latency, as measured in nanoseconds, comes in at 10ns, which is a respectable figure. You can use our RAM latency calculator to measure the latency (in nanoseconds) of any DDR5 kit. I found the overclocking potential to be fairly reasonable as well, allowing you to take the module up to 6200 MHz without changing any of the timings. Naturally, a voltage increase is going to be required for these kinds of overclocks.

Take a look at what our hardware tester, Mussab Ali, said about the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo in his review:

The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 CL30 is for AMD enthusiasts with a little bit of budget constraint and don’t want to compromise that much on performance either. It looks great, performs well, and doesn’t cost as much as some of the competition. One of the best well-rounded RAMs in the market right now.

What Makes It The Best Overall RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X?

The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB CL30 essentially provides the best possible performance, a decent amount of overclocking headroom as well as a great look, which is why I have deemed it the Best Overall RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X.

• Read Our G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB CL30 Review
• Best DDR5 RAM

G.SKILL Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30

Best Value RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X

Specifications: Memory Type:DDR5|Capacity:32GB (2x 16GB)|Frequency: 6,000MHz|Latency:CL30|Latency (Nanoseconds): 10ns|Voltage: 1.35V|RGB:No

The G.Skill Flare X5 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 has a fairly simple look, with a plain black heat spreader that consists of little to no design elements. RGB is also entirely absent, although I found that perforations have been added to the right side of the heat spreader for better thermal performance. I was happy to see that its height only comes in at 33mm, which makes it ideal for small form factor builds.

Despite the simple design, the RAM kit packs fantastic performance, with a speed of 6000 MHz and a CL30 latency, which translates to exactly 10 nanoseconds. Overclocking headroom is also present, with the kit allowing for speeds of up to 6200 MHz with a slight voltage uplift. That only nets a small performance increase for most modern systems; however, it is nice to see that you can go up to that range.

Our hardware tester, Mussab Ali, praised the G.Skill Flare X5 for its value. He had this to say about the kit during his initial review:

The G.SKILL Flare X5 DDR5-6000 CL30 is a great choice for PC builders on a budget, especially if you’re working with an AMD setup. It’s designed for those who want a solid, entry-level build without breaking the bank. If you’re looking to keep costs down while still getting reliable performance, this RAM is a perfect fit.

What Makes It The Best Value RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X?

The G.Skill Flare X5 32GB provides a nice balance of performance, price, and overclocking capabilities, making it the Best Value RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X.

• Read Our G.Skill Flare X5 Review
• Best RAM For Gaming

XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 7200MHz CL34

Best Performance RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X

Specifications:Memory Type:DDR5 |Capacity: 32GB (16GB x2) |Frequency: 7200MHz |Latency: CL34 |Latency (nanoseconds):9.44 ns | Voltage: 1.40V |RGB: Yes

If pure performance is what you are after, then I won’t recommend any other module apart from the XPG Lancer RGB DDR5 32GB 7200 MHz CL34. The kit runs at a speed of 7200 MHz with CL34 timings at a rated voltage of 1.4V. The low 9.44ns latency essentially guarantees top-notch performance, with the overclocking headroom further adding to that. Speaking of which, we were able to push the kit all the way up to 7200 MHz in our dedicated overclocking tests.

Apart from the performance figures, I am a fan of the XPG Lancer RGB’s overall design. You get a 10-layer PCB, matte-black brushed aluminum heatsink, and RGB lighting. Despite the addition of a fairly large diffuser on top, I noticed that the kit isn’t too tall either, measuring in at a height of 40mm. Adata also provides a limited lifetime warranty with the kit, which is a welcome addition.

Our senior RAM expert, Nauman Siddique, was also impressed by the kit’s performance, stating:

The XPG Lancer RGB 32GB DDR5 kit delivers exceptional performance, rivaling binary DDR5 kits. Its impressive overclocking capabilities, dual-platform support, and error correction function make it an excellent choice for enthusiasts

What Makes It The Best Performance RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X?

The XPG Lancer DDR5 RGB’s combination of fast memory speeds and lower latency makes it the Best Performance RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X.

• Read Our XPG Lancer RGB 7200 MHz CAS34 Review

Our Tested Benchmarks Of The Best RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X

Here are the compiled benchmarks of our tested kits. You can also check our RAM Comparison Tool, where we have added all benchmarks of our recently tested DDR5 kits.

Memory Kits I Skipped

Here are some memory kits that I didn’t consider for my list of the Best RAM For Ryzen 5 9600X.

• Corsair Dominator Titanium 32GB DDR5-7200 CL34: Despite its great performance, I decided to skip over the Corsair Dominator Titanium 32GB DDR5 7200 CL34 due to its height of 57mm, which can cause installation issues.
• Kingston Fury Renegade RGB:While the Kingston Fury Renegade RGB is still very capable, it does come with slightly loose timings when compared to my performance pick.

RAM Comparision Table

I have compared all of my recommendations in this table.

Important RAM Terms To Watch Out For

These are some key RAM terms that everyone should know before making a purchase:

• AMD EXPO (AMD Extended Profiles for Overclocking): It is an AMD feature that enables pre-configured overclocking profiles for your RAM, allowing you to run your kits at a higher frequency (and lower latency).
• RAM Timings: These specific settings define how quickly your RAM can perform. They include various delays and speeds, all contributing to how fast your memory can operate.
• CAS Latency (CL): This is how long it takes your RAM to start giving you the data you asked for after it receives a request. It’s a key part of what determines your RAM’s speed.
• Frequency: When we talk about RAM’s frequency, we’re referring to how fast it can transfer data. This speed is usually shown in MHz or GHz, with higher numbers generally meaning quicker performance.

How Our Team Tested And Reviewed These Kits

To round up the top 3 RAM options for Ryzen 5 9600X, we ran several tests on different kits; our main focus was on these aspects:

• Performance:Our primary testing revolved around the sheer performance we can squeeze out of these kits without running into stability issues. This includes running several AIDA64 benchmarks, trying out different games, and more synthetic benchmarks to evaluate the overall performance.
• Power Consumption: A RAM’s overclocking potential and stability are directly impacted by its power consumption and how well it dissipates heat. As such, I also scrutinized different kits based on their power efficiency.
• Design: Overall looks matter a lot, if a RAM is pricey, it should make up for it with some added flair, and I factored it during my tests.
• Value: The 9600X is a rather budget-friendly CPU, and you don’t need to go overboard with the chosen RAM. As such, I made sure to only recommend those kits that offer good value for money for a 9600X build.