The Ultimate Guide to Turbocharge Your Laptop Gaming Experience with Top RAM Picks of 2023
Upgrade your gaming laptop's memory with the top RAM modules of 2023! Discover the best picks by the renowned GameRant Hardware Team Find answers to common questions like using different frequencies and DDR5 memory in a DDR4 laptop Boost your gaming performance now!
Modern laptops may not offer the same level of upgradability as gaming desktop PCs, but they do allow for certain upgrades such as storage and memory. These upgrades are particularly important for handling the demands of modern games, which often require large amounts of storage and memory to accommodate higher texture detail, complex game engines, and additional assets. Furthermore, many applications that work alongside games, such as third-party anti-cheat software, frame rate trackers, and custom 3D wallpaper backgrounds, also contribute to the overall performance requirements. As a gamer and creator, exceeding your memory limits can result in slow or sluggish performance as the laptop struggles to compensate for the lack of additional RAM.
Most laptops with 8GB of memory struggle with basic tasks and can become overwhelmed when multiple web browser tabs are opened simultaneously. Unfortunately, many budget laptops still come with 8GB of memory as a cost-cutting measure by manufacturers, although it can be upgraded by the user. While gaming laptops typically have a minimum of 16GB of memory, some games require even more, such as 24GB or higher, to handle their memory demands.
To meet the future needs of gaming titles and increasingly memory-hungry applications, GameRant recommends upgrading to 32GB of DDR5 or DDR4 laptop memory. Falling DRAM prices have made upgrades more affordable and accessible for most users. We have selected a range of DDR5 and DDR4 Laptop RAM modules that offer a combination of value, performance, and stability. Wherever possible, these modules are backed by lifetime warranties.
G.SKILL Ripjaws SO-DIMM 4800MHz DDR5 32GB (2 x 16GB) CL34 - The Ultimate DDR5 Gaming RAM for Laptops, available at an affordable price of $90 on Newegg.
G.SKILL Ripjaws SODIMM 32GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM CL22 - The Top Choice for DDR4 Gaming RAM for Laptops, offered at a budget-friendly price of $56 on Newegg.
CORSAIR Vengeance SODIMM 4800MHz DDR5 RAM 32GB CL40 - The Ultimate Choice for Budget DDR5 Gaming RAM on Laptops at an attractive price of $80 on Amazon.
Corsair Vengeance 16GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM CL22 - Unmatched in terms of affordability, this DDR4 Gaming RAM for Laptops is available for only $35 on Amazon.
Kingston Fury Impact 32GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM CL40 The Best Performance DDR5 Gaming RAM For Laptops $120 at Newegg
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Mushkin Enhanced Redline 32GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM CL16 - The Ultimate Choice for High-Performance Gaming on Laptops
G.SKILL Ripjaws SO-DIMM 4800MHz DDR5 32GB (2 x 16GB) CL34 - Unleash the Power of DDR5 for Unmatched Gaming Performance on Laptops
Upgrade your brand-new laptop with the G.SKILL Ripjaws SO-DIMM 4800MHz DDR5 32GB kit for under $100. This kit offers CL34 timings at 4800MHz and wide compatibility with modern DDR5-compatible laptops, allowing you to replace the higher latency memory often found in OEM spec'ed laptops. It's a cost-effective upgrade option compared to other DDR5 laptop memory kits available in the market.
Tried and tested; GSkill memory is considered a premium offering in most PC building circles
Has low latency compared to most of its competition
32GB of DDR5 memory seems to be the sweet spot for gaming and being future-proof simultaneously currently
Is better spec'ed than most stock laptop RAM
Cons Newer RAM kits offer 5600MHz XMP profiles
As a 16GB x 2 kit, you might be forced to remove the memory your laptop arrives with given that most laptops only have 2 DIMM slots
The G.SKILL Ripjaws SO-DIMM 4800MHz DDR5 32GB Kit stands out as the top choice for gamers looking to upgrade their laptop's memory. With a lower latency (CL34-34-34-76) compared to its competitors, a lifetime warranty, and a competitive price, it's a no-brainer purchase for those seeking a cost-effective upgrade. Additionally, it's a hassle-free plug-and-play option for laptop users familiar with DIY memory upgrades, typically requiring just a single screwdriver.
It does, however, have its limitations. Unlike some other options, this kit consists of 2 x 16GB modules, which means that you won't be able to use the memory that was already installed in your laptop. Most laptops only have 2 DIMM slots, so after the upgrade, you may end up with an extra RAM stick. Another point to consider is that newer laptops, specifically Intel's 13th generation, come with default support for 5600MHz memory. While the performance gains of higher latency and higher clocked RAM in laptops are still under debate, it seems that they do offer slightly faster speeds when compared to laptops using SODIMMs with the same latencies.
G.SKILL Ripjaws SODIMM 32GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM CL22: The Best Overall DDR4 Gaming RAM for Laptops with Excellent Value Gaming Memory Upgrade
The G.Skill Ripjaws 32GB Ram kit is a cost-effective laptop memory upgrade for your portable gaming PC in 2023. It consists of two 16GB Ram modules that operate at the recommended 3200MT/S speeds commonly found in modern DDR4-based gaming laptops. This upgrade is compatible with both AMD and Intel based laptops. With a fair price point, it offers great value for a 32GB laptop memory upgrade.
32GB of laptop memory is more than enough for modern games and most productivity applications in 2023
Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons CL22 is slightly higher latency than we would like for gaming laptop memory
GSkill has slightly better, lower latency rams but they cost considerably more so
The G.SKILL Ripjaws SODIMM 32GB 3200MHz DDR4 Laptop memory stands out as our top choice for DDR4 laptop RAMs due to its impressive 32GB capacity, competitive pricing, and outstanding warranty coverage. With these features, it is undoubtedly a compelling recommendation when compared to other options in the market.
GSkill does offer better, lower latency memory, but it tends to be significantly more expensive compared to its competitors. However, it may not provide substantial benefits to most users. As a result, GSkill is considered a slightly less favorable option in terms of both value for money and latency when compared to the Muskhin memory mentioned below as a performance alternative.
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The CORSAIR Vengeance SODIMM 4800MHz DDR5 memory is available in a convenient 32GB module, providing a comprehensive solution for upgrading your laptop's memory. With this module, your DDR5 memory-based laptop can enjoy a substantial boost of at least 40GB of memory, including the onboard RAM. All of this comes at an unbeatable price, making it an ideal choice for many laptop users.
Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
As a singular memory module, this offers you the ability to add more memory down the line as it occupies only 1 ram slot
Cons Offers entry-level CL40 latency with competition doing significantly better in this price range
5600MHz memory is slightly faster and costs only a little more
In certain cases, the absence of a kit in this product may cause compatibility problems with pre-existing laptop memory, as the variances in latencies and timings can render its XMP profile inoperable.
Available for $80 on Amazon and Newegg.
The CORSAIR Vengeance SODIMM 4800MHz DDR5 RAM is a cost-effective memory upgrade option that may not be the fastest or have the lowest latency, but it gets the job done. It typically matches or slightly surpasses the RAM that comes with gaming laptops, except for higher-end units with better memory modules. Most gaming laptops with the Vengeance brand have high compatibility, making this upgrade seamless for most users.
However, compared to other competing RAM upgrades, it does have slightly higher latency. The CL40 latency is similar to the standard for gaming laptop memory in OEM configurations. Additionally, since it is a single module, it is important to consider the memory already present in your laptop. If the latencies are significantly different, the performance may be slower than the rated speeds. For a slightly higher cost, one might consider opting for faster modules, especially if their budget allows, as most 5600MHz memory is only slightly more expensive.
The Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4 RAM CL22 is an excellent option for gamers on a budget looking to upgrade their laptops. Priced at $35, this memory kit offers great value for money with its high compatibility and performance. With 16GB of memory, it is capable of handling most mainstream games smoothly. Additionally, it can also be used with older gaming and casual-use laptops, thanks to its ability to run at lower clock speeds. Don't miss out on this amazing deal and enhance your gaming experience with the Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4 RAM CL22.
Corsair offers a 16GB DDR4 memory module with a speed of 3200MHz. This technology is compatible with both Intel and AMD DDR4-based laptops. While it does not feature RGB lighting, it boasts a latency of CL22 (22-22-22-53). What sets it apart is its excellent value for money, making it a great choice for those looking to upgrade or replace their entry-level DDR4 memory.
16GB of RAM on a laptop can play most games easily in 2023
Cons There are better, lower latency rams out there
16GB while enough for most modern games, might be an issue to work with when it comes to some future titles
$35 at Amazon $35 at Newegg
The Corsair Vengeance Laptop DDR4 memory kit is an affordable option for upgrading or replacing your memory. Due to budget restrictions, we recommend the 16GB kit, although Corsair does offer a 32GB kit that is slightly more expensive but offers the same specifications as our GSkill recommendation. Overall, our first recommendation is the obvious choice.
The Vengeance Laptop DDR4 SODIMM memory kit has a total capacity of 16GB (8GB x 2), which may not be enough for some users. However, it should be sufficient for all your gaming needs. While these RAM modules may not be the fastest available, they should still perform adequately when compared to the often slower OEM laptop memory used by certain manufacturers.
The Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 laptop memory is the best choice for gamers looking to enhance their laptop's performance. With a clock speed of 5600MHz and a latency of CL40, it offers higher speeds compared to its competitors. Although it may be slightly pricier, it is worth the investment as it provides an XMP profile that supports and surpasses the requirements of Intel's 13th gen platform. This 32GB (16GB x 2) kit is compatible with both Intel and AMD-based DDR5 laptops. Additionally, it exceeds Intel's 13th generation CPU memory needs by offering impressive speeds of 5600MT/s on DDR5.
Is faster than most stock laptop memory offerings
Has acceptable CL40 latencies at 5600MHz
Comes with Lifetime warranty coverage as a Kingston Fury product offering
Cons Considerably pricier than most 4800MHz modules
Requires removing existing memory from the laptop as it is a 2-slot memory kit
$125 at Amazon $120 at Newegg
The Kingston Fury Impact 32GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM is a top-notch laptop memory upgrade that surpasses most stock laptop memory options in terms of clock speeds. With an impressive 5600MHz at CL40 latency, it outshines its competitors. Kingston asserts that its on-die ECC enhances performance by ensuring better memory integrity compared to other alternatives.
Delivering a higher clocked memory upgrade for laptops while meeting the required 1.1V voltage requirements is no easy task. However, it can be argued that for its price, the Fury Impact offers only marginal performance gains compared to other DDR5 memory kits we examined. Nonetheless, there are still benefits to be enjoyed, and the Fury Impact gets the job done. With 32GB of memory, it is more than sufficient for modern games. Additionally, there is a good chance that this RAM kit will outlast the laptop it is paired with, thanks to the extensive warranties and durability offered by modern memory technology.
for later usage.
Mushkin Redline is a reliable brand that offers high-quality laptop memory. With a size of 32GB and DDR4 technology, it ensures smooth and efficient performance. Operating at a speed of 3200MHz, it is compatible with both Intel and AMD-based laptops. Despite not having RGB lighting, its low latency of CL16 (16-18-18-38) makes it an excellent choice for those seeking premium laptop memory at an affordable price.
Comes with a comprehensive lifetime warranty
Comes in a 32GB trim that covers all your gaming needs in 2023
Cons Could ideally come with a heatsink as a premium RAM offering
$70 at Amazon $70 at Newegg
The Mushkin Enhanced Redline 32GB 3200MHz DDR4 RAM kit stands out as a top choice for high-end laptop gaming memory. It offers exceptional performance at a reasonable price, with reliable and low latency operation at the desired frequency of 3200 MHz. Although it may not be as widely recognized as other competing brands like Kingston, G.Skill, and Corsair, the Redline series impresses with its impressive features including tight CL16 ram timings, 3200MHz clocks, and a lifetime warranty. This has garnered a multitude of positive reviews from satisfied customers across various platforms.
FAQ:
Q: Can I use laptop memory of 2 different frequencies together?
Yes, it is possible to use different memory modules in a laptop, but it is not advisable unless you are knowledgeable about it. When different memory modules are used, most laptops will try to adjust the faster module to match the specifications of the slower one. However, this can lead to a decrease in performance and stability in certain cases. Ideally, it is recommended to use identical RAM modules or modules that support the same frequency and latency during operation to avoid potential issues in the future.
Q: Can I use DDR5 memory in a DDR4 Laptop?
DDR5 memory cannot be used in DDR4 laptops and vice versa due to differences in voltage and pin layout. Trying to do so may result in damage to your laptop or memory modules.
