Introduction
Perhaps more than you’d expect, the type of RAM within your PC build can have a significant impact on your performance. Whilst the likes of graphics cards and CPUs take up most of the spotlight, memory also plays a key role in providing optimal speeds in all the latest titles.
As a result, it’s important to know whether your RAM can keep up with the rest of your system, and if not, what upgrades can be made to make your gaming PC feel fast and responsive. One way to boost your RAM is to use a DDR5 kit instead of DDR4, as this will provide a small increase to framerates and loading times, whilst also setting your system up for the future.
Suggested Article: Best 32GB DDR5 RAM Kits to Buy in 2023
But is the jump to DDR5 memory worth it, and which DDR5 RAM kits should you consider if you do want to upgrade? In this buyers guide, we’ll be looking to address these questions by providing our picks for the best DDR5 memory on the market, specifically 16GB kits, along with our thoughts on whether 16GB DDR5 kits are a good choice for gaming.
Our Recommendations
1. Kingston FURY Beast DDR5
👑 The best budget 16GB DDR5 RAM.
Introduction
First up on our list, we have one of the most affordable DDR5 RAM kits on the market, the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5. One of the main concerns surrounding DDR5 RAM is the higher pricing in comparison to DDR4 for only slight performance benefits. That’s where this offering from Kingston comes in handy, as this kit can somewhat compete with the value of DDR4, making the transition to the latest generation of memory a much easier pill to swallow.
Despite possessing a reduced price point, Kingston’s FURY Beast still provides similar performance to its more expensive counterparts. Featuring transfer speeds up to 5600MHz, this kit should provide some improvements over its previous generation counterparts, even if the higher latency does put restrictions on efficiency. But for gamers on a budget looking to increase the longevity of their gaming PC, this kit acts as a great entry-level into DDR5 memory.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 |
|---|---|
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5600MHz |
| CAS Latency | CL40 |
| Capacity | 16GB (8GB x 2) |
| RGB | No |
| Colours | Black |
Things We Like
Budget-friendly pricing: The main benefit of this kit is the lower pricing, which helps reduce the price gap between DDR5 and DDR4. Whether it’s out of necessity or choice, having a cheaper DDR5 kit allows gamers to pick up the latest generation of hardware without having to break the bank.
Ideal for cheap AM5 systems: With AMD’s latest AM5 platform restricting support to DDR5 RAM, this kit certainly fills a hole in the market for budget gamers building a system that utilises an AM5 motherboard or Ryzen 7000 processor.
Things We Don’t Like
Not a huge upgrade on DDR4: To see the true performance benefits of DDR5 memory, consumers will have to be prepared to spend a lot than what this kit is priced at. Therefore, those looking for improved performance on a budget may want to look elsewhere.
Lack of RGB: Whilst the absence of RGB lighting isn’t going to be a bad thing for everyone picking up this RAM, the majority of gamers will be disappointed by the lack of colour on this design.
Summary
Overall, Kingston’s FURY Beast is a budget-friendly DDR5 kit that acts an ideal entry point for consumers that are looking for a cheap way to gain access to the latest generation of memory. Whilst it doesn’t provide much of a benefit in terms of performance, it does allow gamers to set their PC build up for years to come. In addition, it caters to the needs of budget gamers dealing with the restrictions of the AM5 platform for a price that is comparable to the DDR4 alternatives.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Affordable DDR5 memory
- Sleek design
- Budget option for AM5 builds
Cons
- Similar performance to DDR4
- No RGB lighting
Where to Buy
Buy the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 on:
2. Patriot Viper Venom DDR5
👑 The best 16GB DDR5 RAM design.
Introduction
The Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 is a very similar offering to the previous entry in terms of price and performance, but adds some flair to the design, which is bound to make it more appealing to gamers. With a combination of 5600MHz transfer speeds and CL40 latency, this kit will be able to provide fairly smooth gaming performance when placed in a budget gaming PC targeting competitive 1080p gameplay. However, it doesn’t offer many benefits compared to DDR4.
In terms of aesthetic, the Patriot Viper Venom has a unique appearance thanks to its black and silver colour-scheme with red accents for the name and logo, which lets this kit stand out more inside of any gaming PC. This additional flair is very welcomed on this design due to the lack of RGB lighting, as this provides some much-needed variety to the selection of budget DDR5 RAM available.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Patriot Viper Venom DRR5 |
|---|---|
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5600MHz |
| CAS Latency | CL40 |
| Capacity | 16GB (8GB x 2) |
| RGB | No |
| Colours | Black/Silver |
Things We Like
Lower price point: In a similar fashion to the FURY Beast, this variation of Patriot’s Viper Venom is more tailored to budget gamers looking to pick up some DDR5 RAM for their latest build, without having to go beyond their spending allowance.
Distinct design: The mixture of black, silver, and Red throughout each DIMM provides this kit a unique appearance to make it stand out within your system, despite the lack of RGB lighting.
Things We Don’t Like
High latency: One of the biggest weaknesses of DDR5 memory is the higher CAS latencies. This increase in CAS latency results in a greater delay when receiving data, which significantly hinders gaming performance.
No RGB lighting: Whilst there is a version of this RAM available that includes RGB, this model skimps out in order to keep costs down. Some may prefer this version, but adding RGB does arguably elevate this design.
Summary
For gamers on a budget, the Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 is a solid RAM kit that offers a strong blend of performance and aesthetics. As with many of the cheaper DDR5 designs, this kit doesn’t offer too many benefits in terms of gaming performance. However, the smaller financial jump needed to pick up this RAM kit makes it a worthwhile investment to increase the lifespan of your gaming rig.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4.2/5
Performance: 4/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Eye-catching design
- Ideal for 1080p gaming
Cons
- High CAS latency
- Lack of RGB lighting
Where to Buy
Buy the Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 on:
3. Corsair Vengeance DDR5
👑 The best value 16GB DDR5 RAM.
Introduction
When it comes to finding memory that is reliable and of high-quality, we often turn to Corsair’s Vengeance series of RAM. No matter which variation of this RAM we’ve used, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive, making it a no-brainer for this roundup. In this instance, our kit of choice is the Vengeance DDR5, as this design provides the best balance of price and performance.
With transfer speeds of 5600MHz and CL36 CAS latency, this memory will be able to provide strong gaming performance in a vast array of titles, but only offers a marginal improvement on the DDR4 alternatives. As for the design, this memory opts for a more simple yet sophisticated look, making it an ideal choice for workstations or stealthy gaming PCs.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Corsair Vengeance DDR5 |
|---|---|
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5600MHz |
| CAS Latency | CL36 |
| Capacity | 16GB (8GB x 2) |
| RGB | Yes |
| Colours | Black, White |
Things We Like
Good value for money: As one of the cheapest DDR5 options available, this memory is an ideal pick for gamers on a tight budget. However, the CL36 CAS latency gives this kit the upper-hand over DDR5 RAM at a similar price point.
Customisation through iCUE: One of the biggest benefits of this RAM compared to the previous entries is the list of customisation options available via the iCUE software. Using this software, gamers can adjust voltage regulations and XMP profiles for greater control over performance.
Things We Don’t Like
Underwhelming design: Comparing this RAM to the other designs within Corsair’s Vengeance line-up, the lack of RGB or standout design features makes this design seem fairly bland, especially for a gaming PC.
Limited performance: Without sounding too much like a broken record, the 16GB capacity and higher CAS latencies that come with entry-level DDR5 kits does restrict performance, to a point where it doesn’t offer a significant improvement compared to DDR4. As a result, a DDR4 kit with a higher capacity could be a better use of funds.
Summary
Overall, the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 is a reliable and trustworthy RAM kit that offers a strong value for money proposition. The increased clock speeds and lower latency compared to DDR5 memory within the same price range will make this design more appealing for gaming PCs and workstations. On top of this, the iCUE customisation allows you to fine-tune the performance to meet your demands.
Features: 4.2/5
Design: 3.8/5
Performance: 4.2/5
Value for Money: 4.2/5
Pros
- Good value for money
- Suitable design for workstations
- Corsair iCUE customisation
Cons
- Bland aesthetic
- Little improvement on DDR4
Where to Buy
Buy the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 on:
4. Kingston FURY Beast RGB DDR5
👑 The best RGB 16GB DDR5 RAM.
Introduction
Don’t worry, you’re not seeing double! Our final pick is the RGB version of the Kingston FURY Beast. As expected, this memory shares a lot of similarities to its non-RGB equivalent, but with some enhancements to provide a slight boost to performance and aesthetics. Starting with the obvious, the RGB strip located on top of the DIMMs provide a splash of colour to any build, making it a more suitable choice within a gaming PC.
As for the performance, this particular variation provides a lower CAS latency than the non-RGB offering mentioned earlier, making this option marginally faster at reading and accessing data. Whilst these added features will come at a higher price point, these tweaks to the design will make this RAM more appealing to a lot of gamers.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 |
|---|---|
| RAM Generation | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5600MHz |
| CAS Latency | CL36 |
| Capacity | 16GB (8GB x 2) |
| RGB | Yes |
| Colours | Black, White |
Things We Like
RGB lighting: The main advantage this RAM possesses over the other options featured in this roundup is the presence of RGB lighting. Adding a splash of colour to any RAM kit creates a vibrant and eye-catching design that meets the conventional look of modern gaming PCs.
Good gaming performance: Despite the increased CAS latency limiting the performance of DDR5 kits, this memory will result in smooth and responsive gaming performance in most titles.
Things We Don’t Like
Not great value: For such a significant price jump compared to the non-RGB equivalent, we would expect a similar increase in performance and functionality. However, this kit struggles to deliver on that, making it a less valuable option for consumers on a tight budget.
Will struggle with demanding tasks: Whilst this memory shouldn’t have much of an issue running the latest games, the lower capacity and higher latency opens up the possibility of issue to occur within more demanding titles or productivity-based tasks.
Summary
For gamers looking for DDR5 RAM that looks the part and performs well, then the Kingston FURY Beast RGB is certainly worth considering. With RGB along the top of the DIMMs to highlight this design’s eccentric outline, this RAM will have no problem contributing to the colour and vibrancy of your gaming PC. Whilst these features come at a premium, this kit is still one of the most affordable ways to access performance benefits from DDR5 memory.
Features: 4/5
Design: 4.3/5
Performance: 4.2/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Pros
- RGB lighting
- Good for gaming
- Available in black & white
Cons
- Not great value for money
- Some performance limitation
Where to Buy
Buy the Kingston FURY Beast RGB DDR5 on:
Is 16GB RAM Enough for Gaming?
For current games, 16GB of memory should be enough to cover the demands of most gaming-oriented tasks, especially if the RAM used is of a higher quality. These kits have enough capacity to provide smooth and responsive gameplay at 1080p and 1440p, which means budget gamers won’t have to deal with lots of technical issues such as frame drops and textures popping in and out.
However, 16GB kits do have their limitations. With games becoming larger and more demanding with each passing year, gamers with 16GB RAM may find more technical issues creeping into their gameplay, and the memory is most likely the main culprit for these problems. On top of this, 16GB of memory already struggles to conduct demanding productivity-related tasks, making it a poor choice within any sort of workstation or streaming PC.
Because of this, gamers wanting memory that can handle a plethora of both gaming and productivity tasks should invest in RAM with a higher capacity, such as 32GB or 64GB options. But for budget gamers searching for memory that can keep up with the demands of current titles, 16GB of RAM will be just fine. Plus, these kits can always be upgraded when needed.
DDR5 vs DDR4 RAM – Which is Better?
One of the biggest decisions to make when looking for RAM to put into your gaming PC is whether DDR4 or DDR5 memory is a better fit for your system. For those using the AM5 platform, this decision has already been made for you, as this hardware only support DDR5 RAM. But for anyone else, there are numerous factors to consider before picking between these two generations.
For quite some time, we’ve advocated for DDR4 memory over the newer DDR5, simply because the gap in performance was not wide enough to justify the price tag required to switch to the next-gen designs. But as DDR5 continues to develop, these lines have started to blur, with the debate slowly turning in favour of the current hardware.
Not only have the prices of DDR5 kits dropped to a competitive level, but the increasing demands of games and applications has made the boosted transfer speeds of DDR5 RAM a more tantalising prospect for PC builders. Before, consumers could get a 32GB DDR4 kit for a similar price of a 16GB DDR5 kit, making the upgrade seem pointless. But now, the price gap between DDR4 and DDR5 kits with the same capacity is much smaller, making DDR5 a worthwhile investment in most cases.
As a result, jumping to DDR5 instead of DDR4 makes sense for those wanting to prepare their system for years of gaming and productivity-related activities. But DDR4 memory is still a worthy option for gamers wanting the best bang for their buck.
Why You Can Trust Us
When putting together a list of recommendations for a buyers guide, or conducting a review, the GeekaWhat team are frequently experimenting with the latest hardware to see how they stack up against the rest of the market. During this process, we provide our honest opinions to give our audience the best advice possible.
If you want to learn more about our editorial promise, or find out more about our team of PC gaming and hardware experts, head over to the about us section.
How We Tested the Best 16GB DDR5 RAM
In order to test and evaluate the best 16GB DDR5 RAM kits, there are a number of factors that we take into account, these are:
- Performance
- Latency
- Thermals
- Aesthetic
- Value for Money
Conclusion
Best 16GB DDR5 RAM: Kingston FURY Beast DDR5
If you require 16GB of DDR5 memory, our number one pick would have to be the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5. For this particular category, our philosophy is the cheaper the better, as most gamers picking up this memory will want the best value for money possible.
Buy the Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need Dual-Channel Memory for My Gaming PC?
Yes. We’d advise picking up a dual-channel memory kit for gaming PCs, as it helps to improve latency and increase bandwidth compared to single-channel memory.
Is DDR5 Memory Better for Workstations than DDR4?
Not necessarily. Whilst the increase clock speeds on DDR5 RAM allows more data to be accessed at once, the higher CAS latency makes it slower to respond. Therefore, the likes of capacity and transfer speeds will be more important factors to consider.
How Much Should I Spend on 16GB of DDR5 RAM?
Typically, you should be looking to spend around $50 to $100 on 16GB of DDR5 memory, as this will provide solid performance while maintaining a reasonable price.
What’s the Difference Between 16GB and 32GB RAM?
32GB of RAM is much faster than its 16GB counterparts, as it can run double the amount of tasks simultaneously. As a result, 32GB is more adept at handling demanding gaming or productivity taks.
