Best DDR4 RAM Kits to Upgrade Your PC in the UK

Unless you enjoy wasting money, you don't get this kind of monstrosity without any overclocking intentions in mind. Sure, as we've said earlier, it is already an overkill for most people, but most people aren't willing to spend this much money on RAM anyway. The engineers at Corsair know their target audience and they sure know how to cater to them.

The Corsair Link software significantly simplifies the overclocking process. Each of their modules incorporates an eight-layer PCB and highly-screened memory ICs, both of which are there to ensure and secure high-performance overclocking.

DDR4 and any other type of RAM are as much about specifications as they are about design and construction. Which is why we particularly like the low-profile, 31-millimetre design of the sticks. Even though Mini-ITX and Micro ATX motherboards with DDR4 support aren't there yet, the modules from Corsair are already here. These sticks are perfect for smaller cases or for any system that has a limited amount of internal space.

Corsair were never the ones to disregard aesthetics either. So it's not too much of a surprise that the product is available in a variety of different colours. With the right stick, you'll be able to match your system board, your hardware, or just your style.

To rephrase our earlier points, the Corsair Vengeance LPX (C16) is a great choice if you're running a virtual machine. It is also a great choice if you're building a server computer. It's a bit of an overkill for gaming and other everyday purposes but the RAM offers a good way to future-proof your PC.

Of course, you see these numbers and you might think to yourself that you won't be able to get there without special equipment worth thousands of pounds. But that isn't the case here.

First, the modules come equipped with the TridentZ™ heat spreader. This little component is exceptional when it comes to dispersing and distributing heat, so even an amateur overclocker without some sort of a liquid cooling setup will be able to get a lot out of this RAM. And, of course, the model supports Intel's XMP 2.0 (Extreme Memory Profile), so you don't have to be a technical wizard to overlock the modules.

The last but definitely not the least important aspect of this DDR4 RAM concerning performance is its latency (timings). Featuring 16-18-18-38 nanoseconds in every category, it will take the modules less time to receive commands from the CPU and to respond to them. Sure, it isn't a huge difference compared to your average DDR4 memory module. But, as you probably know, all of these numbers tend to stack up and, big picture, they often matter more than you would think.

Honestly, the only thing we didn't like about this product from G.Skill is the size of the sticks. As each of the two features 44 millimetres in height, you might have a hard time trying to fit them in smaller cases. But, other than that, the G.Skill Trident Z DDR4 RAM is easily the most impressive option on the market for hardcore gamers and overclocking enthusiasts. It is also one of the better options for high-end system builders looking to break their own records or to build the gaming rig of their dreams.

HyperX is a gaming brand first and foremost and the only people who enjoy overclocking their hardware and getting the most out of their computer more are high-end system builders (well, they're often the same people, but we digress).

And while this iteration of Fury won't give you as much overclocking wiggle room as the most expensive DDR4 RAM modules on the market, there's plenty to go around for anyone who isn't looking to set a personal record.

The product supports XMP 2.0, a piece of software that simplifies the overclocking process and streamlines to help even the least experienced people draw as much as possible out of their RAM. The modules also offer automatic overclocking up to a pretty high frequency of 2666 MHz.

You won't have to tinker with BIOS and you'll be able to get the speed you want straight out of the box. But if you're not satisfied with that, the aluminium heat spreader will be able to support a considerable increase in clock speed, so overlock to your heart's extent.

The module's timings that stand at 15-15-15-35 nanoseconds are a tad slow compared to what you'd get from your standard DDR4 RAM but you're unlikely to notice the difference in your everyday use, so we wouldn't really hold it against them.

Again, this iteration of the HyperX FURY is one of the most well-balanced DDR4 RAM kits on the market today. The dual channel setup that adds up to 16 gigabytes will be more than enough to make video editing, high-end gaming, AI processing, and 3D rendering a whole lot faster.

On the flip side, for a really affordable price, you will get yourself a pair of 8-gigabyte sticks. With 16 gigabytes of RAM, you will be able to do a whole lot of things at once. Feel like playing a demanding next-gen video game while browsing through 50 tabs in Google Chrome? No problem. Rendering 3D images while editing videos? Easy, as long as other elements of your hardware can support that.

Again, you're getting two sticks of DDR4 RAM at a really affordable price, so you're also getting all of the advantages of DDR4. That includes the 32% increase in bandwidth and about a 40% decrease in power consumption (compared to your run-of-the-mill DDR3 RAM).

Finally, these modules are really easy to set up. All you'll need is a screwdriver, the manual that comes with the RAM, and a couple of minutes. You won't need any additional tools or computer skills. The people at Crucial have also included a video installation guide, so you can always refer to it.

To sum it up, the Crucial CT2K8G4DFD824A makes a pretty convincing case for itself with its simplicity of installation, efficient use of hardware real estate, and solid performance. If you're looking to build a high-end gaming unit without investing too much in it, this DDR4 RAM will fit you to a tee.

Despite the fact that the Corsair Vengeance LPX (C15) is one of the most modestly-priced DDR4 RAM prospects, the model is still, by all means, part of the Corsair's Vengeance series, so it gets to exploit all of the advantages that come with it. For instance, you have your pure aluminium heat spreader. As per usual, this component excels at dissipating and pulling away heat from the ICs and right into the computer’s cooling path. Thanks to it, you'll have the freedom to push your system harder as it will keep the operating temperature at a minimum.

On top of that, the modules' automatic overclocking capabilities with the XMP 2.0 support will allow you to boost your PC's performance without any hassle as you won't have to manually push the DRAM frequency.

Finally, each stick is 31-millimetre tall, so you'll be able to fit them in smaller cases. It may not sound like much but the compact size can make a world of difference, especially as far as budget builds are concerned.

All in all, the Corsair Vengeance LPX (C15) is the choice of today. It probably won't be enough in a few years but the affordable price makes the kit easily one of the most sensible DDR4 RAM prospects. The modules have your multitasking needs covered and that's all that you need from budget RAM.