DDR4 RAM is the successor standard to DDR3 RAM, which is the successor to DDR2, and so on. The naming scheme is fairly logical here, fortunately.

DDR4 RAM usually comes in one of two form factors: DIMMs and soDIMMs. DIMMs are the main desktop form factor (and the only one covered in this article), while soDIMMs are much smaller and used for laptop RAM upgrades. Either DIMM is an individual memory unit, and all of the RAM kits we’ve included in this article have 2 DIMMs. We’ll explain why in a little bit.

The XMP profile and AMP profile are standards for running RAM at higher clock speeds. They offer pre-defined profiles for easy RAM overclocking, which is ideal for users who aren’t ready to do it themselves.

We generally recommend this approach to achieving the most speed out of your RAM, since doing your own overclocking is a process involving extensive trial-and-error. Even if you plan on doing your own OCs, XMP/AMP profiles can show you good starting points.

In higher-end RAM kits, both of these profiles are generally included. Despite XMP being Intel and AMP being AMD, there is no known performance difference and– generally speaking– both will be compatible with your platform of choice. In other words, if you’re looking for the best DDR4 RAM for your Ryzen or Intel CPU, just choose good RAM.

“Channel” refers to how many DIMMs are running in synchronization with each other and has a great impact on speed. Below, we’ve listed common channel configurations and their impact on performance.

Note: To run RAM in multi-channel configurations, every DIMM needs to match in speed, capacity, and (ideally) brand.

• Single-Channel – A single RAM stick. This will achieve only half of its rated speed, and serve to bottleneck the CPU.
• Dual-Channel – Two RAM sticks. These will reach their rated speeds, and serve a literal 2x performance improvement over SC setups.
• Quad-Channel – Four RAM sticks. These will reach their rated speeds and do offer more performance than Dual-Channel, but these gains are fairly marginal and won’t be seen in most games/applications.

If you look through our article, you’ll notice that every kit we recommend is a dual-channel RAM kit. That isn’t a coincidence– the only reason to buy a single RAM stick is if it’s to upgrade from a single-channel setup. Otherwise– dual-channel or better, only.

Here’s the thing about gaming RAM: if you only look at average FPS, you probably aren’t going to see a difference. If there is one, it will be incredibly marginal… or you upgraded to a dual-channel setup from a single-channel one. (Really, guys: don’t do single-channel, ever.)

In any case, RAM speed is one of those specs that people love to tout around but few actually understand. We’re going to do our best to demystify it now.

Since DDR4 RAM emerged into the mainstream, higher RAM speeds have become the standard. DDR4’s starting speed of 2400 MHz is higher than DDR3’s peak speed of 2133 MHz, and since RAM is usually sold at its minimum spec…

Most users experienced a 2x RAM speed increase moving from DDR3 to DDR4 RAM platforms.

This difference was felt in a slight FPS boost by most gamers, but otherwise didn’t seem to matter to non-professional users.

What many don’t realize is that RAM speed actually impacts minimum FPS, not maximum or average. In other words, faster RAM speed will improve your gaming experience by reducing the severity of FPS drops– in some cases, to the point where your display’s refresh rate is still beneath your FPS drop. This is ideal for gamers who want a completely smooth gaming experience.

RAM capacity is another hot topic, with many consumers and OEMs stuffing as much RAM as possible into their machines. This has reached a point where high-end gaming laptops (with midrange PC performance) are toting around a whopping 16 GB of DDR4 RAM, dramatically raising prices.

Spoiler alert: this usually isn’t necessary.

• 8 GB RAM – The minimum spec recommended for gamers and common consumers. While Chrome will massacre this pool if you let it, this should be more than enough for gaming and common multitasking.
• 16 GB RAM – This is recommended primarily for professionals and streamers, who need the extra RAM to work with. Unless your multitasking needs are particularly severe, this is unnecessary for a pure gaming rig.
• 32 GB RAM – This is for career professionals and streamers, using applications, VMs, etc that require a RAM pool this large. This is well beyond any level of practicality for a gaming PC.
• 64 GB RAM – Stop. (Unless you’re running a server– in that case, this should work.)

Heatsinks

If you’re overclocking, heatsinks (heat spreaders) make a difference. Otherwise, no– RAM doesn’t generate much heat at all, and letting it run naked shouldn’t come with any significant penalty to speak of.

RGB

RGB lighting doesn’t make a performance difference when you are looking for the best RGB RAM, but it does look pretty. And really, isn’t that the biggest difference  between them all?

Best Z490 Motherboards in 2022

Match up your 10th gen Intel processor with one of the best boards currently out there

As well as the recent CPU and chipset launches that have been going on from AMD and the usual levels of hysteria they cause, it’s almost been possible to forget that Intel has launched their 10th Gen processors and that they are too a big deal.

Moving to the new LGA 1200 socket means that anybody interested in this later silicon iteration is going to need a new motherboard. Simply trying to cram a 10th gen into a 9th gen motherboards is going to be a costly mistake.

That means upgrading to Intel’s latest and greatest is a sizeable upgrade on tech and simultaneous downgrade on the amount of money in your wallet, as you will also need to pick up a new mobo with the LGA 1200 socket on board at the same time.

Fortunately some great models are already hitting the streets and these come in a range of specs and models to suit most build budgets.

Of course, when you add the 10th gen chip to the basket at the same time, not much is going to feel ‘budget’ about what you are buying, but you should be safe in the knowledge that your purchase will last you a good few years before you need to hit the upgrade trail once more.

So here our initial thoughts on five of the best Z490 motherboards out there for your new 10th gen Intel CPU. More boards are arriving all the time as this is very much a new line, so this page could end up being updated frequently as we get more and more surprises, but right now, any of the five we have picked here will set you firmly off on your 10th gen adventure.

Let’s go