If you’re building an Intel-based value-oriented system, the i5-11400, or the cheaper F variant with no discrete GPU, is your best bet. The only difference is the lack of GPU, but otherwise, both chips come with six cores, twelve threads, and a maximum boost of 4.4GHz. They’re locked, so no overclocking, but the performance should be sufficient. But to take full advantage of these CPUs, you will need fast RAM with low latency. You also want at least 2 RAM sticks to take advantage of increased dual-channel performance. Therefore, we have created this helpful guide containing the best RAM for i5 11400/F.
With that in mind, picking the best RAM for i5 11400/F when you’re trying to build on a budget can be tricky. So, to help you out a bit, we’ve included some fantastic RAM options for you to choose from. Without further ado, here they are.
1. Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB 3200MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,200MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-18-18-36 | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 51mm/2″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Fast timings that are great for Intel processors
- Sophisticated eye-catching design
- Very good OC abilities
- Metallic heat shredders for effective cooling
Drawbacks
- Height is a bit tall at 2 inches
Corsair has been at the top of the RAM game for a while now, which is why their Vengeance RGB Pro kit is the best RAM for i5 11400/F if you’re willing to spend a bit extra. The kit is well thought out in terms of design and functionality and comes at a price that’s rather reasonable.
The design is pretty simple. You have an all-black (or all-white) heatsink that looks rather premium, and an RGB strip at the top. Not only does that strip come with ten RGB LEDs, but you can customize it using Corsair’s iCUE software, which is a rather simple affair. The multi-zone lighting really looks nice, and the ability to sync it with other Corsair iCUE-enabled products is a really neat addition.
In terms of functionality, you’re looking at 3200MHz DIMM sticks, with C16 timings. Now, Corsair claims a custom performance-oriented PCB, so overclocking is certainly a possibility. However, if you’re getting a budget CPU like the 11400/F, chances are overclocking won’t get you too far. But with this kind of combination, the Vengeance RGB Pro should be right up your alley in terms of performance.
At the end of the day, the Vengeance RGB Pro is probably your best bet if you don’t want to spend too much, but you want both the performance and the looks to be on point. And it’s a great choice.
2. G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16GB 3200MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,200MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-18-18-38 | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 45mm/1.77″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Can peak at over 3,500MHz upon overclocking
- Good performance and reliability
- Customizable RGB lights
Drawbacks
- Build quality could be better
Even though there are the newer, AMD-optimized Neo kits from G.Skill’s Trident Z lineup, the Trident Z RGB is our recommendation for the i5 11400/F. The only difference is that the Neo has automatic optimization for AMD, so you can save a bit of money by going for the RGB kit instead – you won’t notice a difference in performance.
In terms of design, the Trident Z RGB kit comes with an all-black heatsink. Not only does it give the RAM stick a premium look, but it also works very well to keep the DIMMs cool. There is an RGB strip at the top with a few rather bright LEDs, and here’s where our first complaint comes in. You’ll need proprietary software by G.Skill to control the RGB lights, and we would’ve liked to see the option to control them with your motherboard’s software. Some might say this is nitpicking, but it would’ve been a nice addition.
In terms of performance, this Intel-optimized kit comes with a 3200MHz speed and C16 timings. This is pretty good, and more than enough for a CPU like the Core i5 11400/F. You could overclock it, but we don’t really see a reason to do so with that CPU, because you certainly won’t get enough extra performance to make the effort worth it. If you want good value RAM that looks nice, though, by all means, go for it.
3. Crucial Ballistix 16GB 3600MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,600MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-18-18-38 | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 39.17mm/1.54″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Decent performance with support for XMP 2.0
- Sophisticated heat shredders for cooling
- Above-average build quality
Drawbacks
- Visual design may be too plain for some
When it comes to a budget RAM kit that’s going to give you more performance than you know what to do with, the Crucial’sBallistix series is pretty much unparalleled. The kits come at a price that won’t leave a dent in your wallet, and they sacrifice a bit of look to get the best possible performance at a reasonable price.
Let’s get the design out of the way first. The Ballistix kit comes in black, red, or white, and it’s an all-aluminum heatsink that wraps around the PCB itself. It looks nice, but it’s nothing to write home about. There’s a simple Crucial and Ballistix logo on the side, and that’s pretty much it. But if you’re going for a subtle aesthetic that won’t be an eye-catcher, this is actually perfect.
Now, on to the performance. The kit comes with two 8GB sticks, both running at 3600MHz. They’ve got C16 timings, which is pretty good, but unfortunately, we wouldn’t recommend that you overclock these. It’s not that you won’t get far, but this is value RAM, and it’s not meant to be pushed that hard. And besides, you won’t need anything more than 3600MHz C16 with an i5 11400 anyways.
If you find yourself not caring that much about looks, and you want to get the best performance out of your RAM, this is the one to go for.
4. G.SkillRipjaws V 16GB 3200MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,200MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-18-18-38 | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 42mm/1.65″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Affordable price
- Strong performance with options to OC
- Works up well with Intel processors
- Effective heat shredders
Drawbacks
- Its design may be too aggressive for some
A kit that’s been specifically designed for newer AMD and Intel builds, the Ripjaws V has been G.Skill’s bread and butter before everyone started going crazy for RGB. Yes, this kit doesn’t have RGB, but it’s one of the most wallet-friendly RAM kits for people who prefer performance and price overlooks.
Now, that’s not to say the RAM sticks are ugly. They’re simple, with an all-black design, and an aluminum heatsink that not only looks nice but also keeps the PCB cool when you push things hard. The problem is the height – they’re rather high at the middle, which might cause clearance issues if you’re using larger air coolers. This might not affect you at all, but it is something to keep in mind.
Performance-wise, you’re pretty well taken care of if you’re running an i5-11400/F. The 3200MHz at C16 is perfect and will keep your CPU happy without any issues. You won’t be overclocking, so you don’t really need extremely tight timings or high frequencies. To add to this, we should note that the Ripjaws V kit is meant to be a budget kit, so you won’t get a lot of overclocking headroom if any. This might make a difference if you intend on upgrading the CPU down the line, so keep it in mind.
At the end of the day, if the value is what you’re after, the Ripjaws V is probably the best RAM for i5 11400/F.
5. XPG D60G RGB 16GB 3200MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,200MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-20-20 | Voltage: 1.4V | Height: 45.9mm/1.80″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Unquie yet beautiful looking design
- Fast performance with decent overclocking abilities
- Customizable RGB lights with compatibility for numerous patterns
Drawbacks
- RGB may be too flashy for some
We’ve got to hand it to XPG – the D60G RGB is one of the prettiest RAM kits we’ve ever laid our eyes upon. And with both a white and black colorway and a few frequencies and timings to choose from, there’s something for everyone.
As the best RAM for i5 11400/F, we’d suggest going for the 3200MHz C16 kit, which provides plenty of room for your CPU to boost and do its thing, without the RAM holding it back. You might be able to get a bit extra with overclocking maybe, but we wouldn’t advise it, and with that CPU, you won’t notice any significant benefits.
When it comes to the design, however, this is an absolutely stunning RAM kit. The RGB surface goes both above and below the black (or white) heatsink, and it just looks phenomenal. You can control the lights and effects using either XPG’s own software or by using the utility from the most popular motherboard manufacturers. And let us tell you, the lights look amazing regardless of what kind of setup you make, and they do get pretty bright, so if you’re the type of person who wants people to see their build, this is just perfect for you.
Now, yes, this kit is more oriented towards looks than performance. But with a CPU like the i5 11400/F, you’ll still get plenty of performance, and great looks too.
6. Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB 3200MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,200MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-18-18-36 (2T) | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 33mm/1.32″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- One of the best selling memory for Intel CPUs
- Excellent performance
- Supports XMP 2.0 performance profile
Drawbacks
- Pretty standard old-school design
A common complaint you’ll come across from users is the fact that most modern RAM kits come with high heatsinks that cause clearance issues with air coolers. Corsair’s answer to that problem is the Vengeance LPX kit, which is a low-profile, value RAM kit with great performance.
The kit itself is available in a few colors, and the design is as simple as they come. There’s nothing more than the 34mm high heatsink, a Corsair logo at the top, and a Vengeance LPX logo on the side. Simple and minimalist, and we like it. The heatsink does a great job at dissipating heat, to keep them running at high frequencies without any temperature issues.
When it comes to performance, the kit runs at 3200MHz with C16 timings. This is pretty good, but even Corsair themselves advertise this as a kit with hand-sorted chips for overclocking headroom. Whether your motherboard supports that, and whether or not it’s worth it for the i5 11400, is a whole different question, but theoretically, if you wanted to, you could. If not, you can just use the XMP 2.0 profile that’s going to automatically set things up, and you’ll be good to go.
Overall, the Vengeance LPX kit might not win any awards when it comes to looks, or performance. But if you don’t want to spend too much money, and want a quality RAM that won’t cause clearance issues, go for it.
7. TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 16GB 3200MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,200MHz | CAS Latency: 16 | Timings: 16-18-18-38 | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 32mm/1.26″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Cheap with great value
- Decent performance
- Solid build quality and reliable
- Compatible with custom XMP settings
Drawbacks
- Insufficient performance when overclocked
TEAMGROUP probably isn’t the first brand that springs to mind when you’re shopping for RAM, but the T-Force Vulcan Z kits are a great choice for people who want a wallet-friendly kit with a simple and effective design.
We’re talking about an all-silver (or all-red) heatsink that’s effective when it comes to keeping the modules cool, but that’s about it – it doesn’t do much more. No RGB lights, or anything else fancy like that. But when you consider that they tried to keep the price down, you can’t really blame TEAMGROUP, can you?
In terms of performance, the 16GB kit comes with two 8GB sticks that run at 3200MHz C16, so you should be covered. Even if you feel tempted, we wouldn’t recommend overclocking. Not only is the performance you’ll get sufficient, but this is also value-oriented RAM, so it’s not really made for overclocking. You might get slightly better timings, maybe, but you won’t get the RAM kit to be stable, so we’d suggest running it stock.
Overall, the T-Force Vulcan Z kits might not be the best RAM for i5 11400/F for everyone. But if budget is a big concern, and you don’t want to spend too much, they’re actually a great choice.
8. Patriot Viper Steel Series 16GB 3600MHz
Specifications
Memory Type: DDR4 | Capacity: 16GB (2x8GB) | Speed: 3,600MHz | CAS Latency: 17 | Timings: 17-19-19-39 | Voltage: 1.35V | Height: 44.45mm/1.75″ | Warranty: LifetimeBenefits
- Solid build quality with metallic heat shredders
- Supports XMP 2.0 performance profile
- Good value for a 3600Mhz kit
Drawbacks
- Some sibility issues reported at higher speeds
Not everyone falls for RGB and flashy lights. Some people don’t care about looks, and some just want a subtle RAM kit that’s going to disappear in their case. If that sounds like you, and you don’t want to spend too much either, Patriot Memory’s Viper Steel Series is the perfect kit for you.
This specific model comes at 3600MHz and C17, which is more than enough for a midrange CPU like the i5-11400/F. It’s going to keep your CPU happy, and since you’re not overclocking, chances are you won’t feel any need for more whatsoever. When it comes to compatibility, Patriot test these kits to make sure they’re compatible with the latest Intel platforms, so you won’t have any issues in that regard.
Now, when it comes to aesthetics, there’s not a lot to say, honestly. The kit comes in silver, with an all-aluminum heatsink that’s got some black accents. And aside from the Viper picture on the side, and the logo at the top, you won’t find anything else. But as we mentioned – lights aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and if they aren’t yours, you’ll love this kit.
Of course, even though the value is pretty good, this is far from a cheap kit. But if you value good performance and like the looks, it’s going to be the best RAM for i5 11400/F.
Final Thoughts
When you’re limited with your budget, you might be tempted to go for slower RAM. But if you want your Core i5 11400/F to run well, 3200MHz is the lowest we’d go. There are great kits at those speeds, so have your pick from the list above.
