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RAM Benchmark Hierarchy 2026: DDR5, DDR4 for AMD, Intel CPUs

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Our RAM benchmark hierarchy includes DDR5 and DDR4 memory kits that we've tested on modern AMD and Intel platforms.

RAM Benchmark Hierarchy
RAM Benchmark Hierarchy (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
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Our RAM benchmark hierarchy helps you find the fastest DDR5 and DDR4 memory kits for your system. People frequently underestimate RAM (Random Access Memory), yet it is among the most vital hardware components. Choosing the appropriate or inappropriate memory kit can significantly influence your system's performance in gaming, productivity, and, if insufficient, lead to overall sluggishness. Remember, consult our Best RAM list for the best memory deals.

Companies often introduce new memory kits with different speeds, timings, capacities, and ranks, making it tedious to compare numerous models. Our RAM benchmark hierarchy aims to provide a simple database categorizing the best memory kits we've reviewed by raw performance.

Zhiye Liu
Zhiye Liu
News Editor, RAM Reviewer & SSD Technician

Zhiye Liu is a news editor, memory reviewer, and SSD tester at Tom’s Hardware. Although he loves everything that’s hardware, he has a soft spot for CPUs, GPUs, and RAM.

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47 Comments Comment from the forums
  • ashelus
    Now, let's do quad-rank instead of dual rank: -UkGu6A-6sQView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UkGu6A-6sQ
    Reply
  • Olle P
    It's assuring to see that (for AMD) the very best is only 1.9% uplift over the basic 3,200 MHz @ 16-18-18-38. No need to spend more money there.

    ashelus said:
    Now, let's do quad-rank instead of dual rank: ...
    That review has nothing to do with ranks but with number of sticks in dual channel.
    Reply
  • cryoburner
    ashelus said:
    Now, let's do quad-rank instead of dual rank:
    They sort of did. Today's 2x16GB kits are typically going to provide four ranks, while the 2x8GB kits will typically provide two. That's why all of the 2x16GB kits outperformed the 2x8GB kits, with the possible exception of that one DDR4-5100 kit that managed to hold it's own against a few of them in the AMD test system. But at $900, that 5100 kit is kind of nonsensical considering it was still outperformed by some 2x16GB kits of DDR4-3600 at a fraction of the price. Going with 32GB for four ranks (whether 2x16GB or 4x8GB) will tend to benefit performance more than paying a big premium for just 16GB of enthusiast-level RAM, and if one is planning to keep their system around for a number of years, the added capacity will likely provide even more benefit down the line.

    Tom's had an article pointing this out shortly after the Ryzen 3000 series launched...
    https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-ryzen-3000-best-memory-timings,6310-2.html
    Reply
  • Mpablo87
    Well.
    Interesting article!!! Useful information!!!
    Reply
  • escksu
    Yes, this article basically reinforces what we already know, spending money on expensive ram doesnt make any sense, unless you have unlimited budget.

    Yes, someone has also pointed out that 4 ranks of ram is faster than 2. But, the gains are very small as well. You are better off using the budget for more cores or faster gpu.
    Reply
  • escksu
    ashelus said:
    Now, let's do quad-rank instead of dual rank: -UkGu6A-6sQView: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UkGu6A-6sQ

    Yes, we do know 4 sticks is faster. But it cost more too...so its down to your budget. If you spare budget, its fine. If you, then no.
    Reply
  • taz-nz
    escksu said:
    Yes, we do know 4 sticks is faster. But it cost more too...so its down to your budget. If you spare budget, its fine. If you, then no.
    The video compares 4x 8GB single rack against 2x8G single rank, 2x16gb Dual rank dimms have the same improvement as 4x8GB single rank, it's the total number of ranks (4) that matters.

    They missed the best memory kit for 5000 series AMD cpu Gskilll 3800 CL14 32GB (2x1GB) dual rank F4-3800C14D-32GTZN-G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd. (gskill.com)Gives you the fastest stable FCLK and RAM speed at 1:1 with low latency, and timings can be tightened more on a good motherboard.

    Does the new high-end RAM for Ryzen 5000 live up to its promise? - G.SKILL DDR4-3800 CL14 2x 16GB kit put through its paces | Page 3 | igor´sLAB (igorslab.de)
    Reply
  • Flyfisherman
    I read somewhere that 1.2V is generally considered the upper limit of safe SoC voltages, particularly on Ryzen 3000CPUs.
    SOC voltage - system on a chip voltage; responsible for the voltage related to the memory controller.
    Limit: up to 1.2 V.

    DRAM boot voltage - voltage at which memory training takes place at system start-up.
    Limit: up to 1.45–1.50 V.

    VDDP voltage - voltage for the transistor that sets memory contents.
    Limit: up to 1.1 V.

    1.42V will cause degradation of the CPU
    1.38V should be max for 24/7 - 1.35V would be safer

    Why doesn't the article mention this, that higher voltage on high speed ram causes degradation of the CPU?
    All overclocking is risky business when it comes to higher than recommended voltage.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------
    On my Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Hero with AMD Ryzen 3950X I'm using Corsair VENGEANCE® LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16@1.2V (tested @1.35V 16-18-18-36) LPX=Low profile 33.5mm height so it fits under my Noctua NH-D15 SE AM4 CPU cooler.
    Part. No. SKU CMK16GX4M2Z3200C16

    Best regards from Sweden
    Reply
  • samopa
    Where is DDR5 section ?
    What is the fastest / best DDR5 Kit ?
    The title suggest that this articles also cover DDR5
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    samopa said:
    What is the fastest / best DDR5 Kit ?
    Probably too early to tell, need more DIMMs and motherboards to actually test with.
    Reply