Best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X in 2023

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X processor has many enthusiasts excited to build a PC around it due to its fantastic price to performance ratio. However, Ryzen CPUs notoriously require fast memory in order to get the most performance out of them, and the 5600X is no exception. Therefore, in this article, we have reviewed the best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X to get great performance out of your system.

Best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X

Corsair’s Vengeance has been the brand’s best-selling choice when it comes to memory, for good reason. They’re well priced, they work very well, and they sometimes come in variants that offer something extra – like RGB in this case.

The Vengeance RGB Pro kit comes with two 8GB sticks for a total of 16GB, which should be just right for a modern build for any task. To add to this, the memory’s speed is a rather nice 3600MHz, which should be enough for an AMD CPU. Yes, there is faster memory out there, but you could do with this as well. What is also great are the timings – at CL16, this is rather tight, which should get you good performance.

On the outside, the Vengeance RGB Pro sticks look really good. The heat spreader is rather tall and does a great job of keeping the RAM stable and performing well even when pushed hard. The RGB lights on the top are also pretty neat, and add a bit of flair to your system. They can be controlled with Corsair’s iCUE software, so you have a bit of flexibility in that regard.

At the end of the day, you’re looking at a pair of RAM sticks that have been carefully screened and optimized for AMD – perfect!

G.Skill hit a jackpot with the Trident Z Neo series, as they’re some of the best-selling RAM kits when it comes to AMD builds. That is why the Trident Z Neo 16GB kit is our recommendation as one of the best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X options.

Performance, as is to be expected from G.Skill, is great. You’re looking at a kit that comes with two 8GB sticks, so you have dual-channel, and the speed is a rather nice 3600MHz. This should be enough to keep the Ryzen 5 5600X running well, especially when you factor in that you’re also looking at a CAS latency of 16-19-19-39, which is pretty good.

On the outside, the Trident Z Neo comes with a black and white heat spreader, which is pretty moderate when it comes to height. On top, you get a semi-transparent plastic cover that has RGB lights beneath it. This means you can add a bit of light to the inside of your case with the RAM, which is nice.

Factor in the pretty good price, and the more-than-proven reliability of the Trident Z Neo RAM kits, and you’re looking at an excellent choice for your new AMD build. The only downside is that it requires proprietary software to control the RGB lights, but that’s nitpicking, isn’t it?

Crucial is an excellent choice when it comes to memory. They have plenty of options, and you can easily get a pair that works for your build. This is especially true if you’re building a new system around AMD’s new Ryzen 5 5600X because the Ballistix RGB kit can do a great job.

This is a 16GB kit, and you’re getting two 8GB sticks so you can take advantage of dual-channel memory. The speed is a pretty respectable 3600MHz, which is the sweet spot for AMD builds at the moment unless you want to spend a lot of money on faster memory. You also get CL16 timings, which is pretty great for memory this fast. The performance should be excellent.

As far as aesthetics go, the Ballistix kit comes with a white heat spreader which should keep temperatures low, but also looks pretty great, too. Surprisingly, it isn’t too high profile, so even if you decide to go for an air cooler with your CPU, you won’t have to worry about interference in this regard.

Last but not least, the RGB lights not only look nice, but they’re also compatible with pretty much any RGB software under the sun. Controlling them should be no issue at all, regardless of what software you’re using. An all-around excellent kit.

TEAMGROUP’s more modest offering doesn’t have the bells and whistles of higher-tiered sticks, but when it comes to performance, it competes fairly well. This is especially true for the minimalist PC builder, who might care about looks and style for just a little bit, but not too much to point of spending far more than what the modules could practically offer.

Like the rest of the other memory modules in this list, the product comes in paired, dual-channel kits. The difference between 3000Mhz and 3600Mhz might be more noticeable when your application is run with benchmarks. But without them, it’s just another stable memory module that prevents app crashes and sudden operating system errors when using its advertised specs.

Heat spreader design is somewhat basic, but thanks to that signature V-design, it differentiates itself from even more mundane offerings from OLOy and HyperX. As a lower-end module, height is also quite low, so any potential problems with certain cooler setups are more or less automatically negated.

If you want to funnel more funds into more critical parts of the setup, or want an adequately stylish design without RGB, then this memory kit is one of the best recommendations that we have for your Ryzen 5 5600X.

Related Article: Best RAM for Ryzen 5 7600X|7600

This may not have the techy appeal of Corsair’s Dominator Platinum line or even the setup versatility of G.Skill’s own dual-color splash Neo series, but it has the elegance that makes it physically stand out among the rest. Royal, in the sense of showcasing its crystalline RGB display and shining silvery metallic finish.

More fitting for its award category, however, it offers a stable 4000Mhz CL18 performance out of the box. Once set, a relatively recent board may simply use it straight away without having to waste time tinkering with continued stability. Though, we have to stress that at this point the gains are usually superficial, and are very sensitive to matching the 1:1 or 1:2 ratios with the Ryzen 5 5600X’s infinity fabric.

Even better, is that this level of performance is offered at a price that is actually somewhat less than the competition. Similar Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4 modules, for example, can easily go a third over the Trident Z Royal Series practical retail price.

As such, even for such a premium module that won’t exactly match frame-by-frame the extra funds spent beyond 3600Mhz, it surprisingly still isn’t too expensive at all.

Sure, the primary purpose of RAM is to keep your system running well. But what happens when you also want it to look good? Well, XPG has you covered, as their D60G is some of the most beautiful RAM we’ve ever laid our eyes on.

On the outside, the sticks’ heat spreader just looks stunning in every possible way. The RGB lights are bright, and you can customize them with most of the motherboard manufacturers’ software, which is neat. It also doesn’t consume a lot of power, which is pretty great. The RGB surface also extends towards the motherboard as well, for an even better effect.

But it’s not just about looks. Performance is great as well, and you’re looking at two 8GB sticks that allow for dual-channel usage. The speed is 3600MHz, which is sufficient, and so are the CL18 timings, which keep performance at bay. Paired with the Ryzen 5 5600X, this is an excellent kit for a machine that you can use for both gaming and working, whichever you need.

At the end of the day, if looks are just as important as performance, you should definitely spend a bit extra and get XPG’s D60G RAM kit. It’s worth every cent you spend on it, and it will enhance your system’s aesthetics more than you’d think.

When you’re looking to get RAM that just works great, and won’t get in the way of high-profile air coolers for your CPU, Corsair’s Vengeance LPX should be the kit you go for. It’s all about performance, and it works great with AMD CPUs, so let’s take a closer look at it.

On the outside, the RAM sticks are rather simple. You get an all-black design with only a yellow Vengeance logo, but that’s about it. No RGB, no high-profile extravaganza, it’s all a simple design that’s purely functional. The heat sink does work great, though, and you’ll have zero issues in terms of temperature. To add to this, we mentioned this is a rather low profile, so you have no problem fitting a larger air cooler either.

When it comes to performance, the Vengeance LPX kit is great. You’re looking at two 8GB sticks for a total of 16GB of memory, which runs at 3600MHz. This is pretty sufficient for AMD’s new CPUs and should do a good job. Add to this the CL18 timings, as well as the fact that Corsair hand sorts the sticks and pairs the ones that ensure great performance, and you should be good to go. Oh, and the price is pretty good, too, which is another bonus.

What to Look for When Buying RAM for Your Ryzen 5 5600X

Let’s take a look at the factors you should consider before buying RAM for the 5600X.

RAM Capacity

16GB has been the sweet spot for standard PC builds for a good while now, and it continues to be even as we welcome DDR5 memory for current LGA1700 (Intel) and future AM5 socket motherboards. 8GB is still doable, but there is so much more task juggling required, not to mention a critical need to rely on the page file when things inevitably fill up. Consider 32GB and beyond only if you have a specific use case for it, such as playing super RAM-intensive games (e.g. Cities: Skylines), or if you are a professional video editor/graphics designer.

Memory Frequency

3600Mhz modules have been circulating for quite a while now, and are generally available at very affordable prices. That being said, 3000-3200Mhz could still save some of your funds without sacrificing too much performance. Consider spending (for new modules) or tinkering (via overclocking) beyond 3600Mhz only if you’re planning to min-max your DDR4 memory-based system.

Memory Timings

second to frequency, having considerably low timings also greatly helps in speeding up the performance of your RAM stick. Your default target for DDR4 (in accordance with the target of this article) should start between (CL)16-19, and has a variance of only 2 to 3 units for each value.

Dual-Channel VS Single-Channel

Minimum one stick for each channel, period. It’s a free performance bump that is absolutely necessary for any PC build, especially when it comes to Ryzen CPUs. Single-channel should not be considered unless you have no other alternative.

Related Article: Best RAM for Ryzen 9 5950X

Best RAM for AMD Ryzen CPUs Informational Video

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, choosing the best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X isn’t all that difficult. It’s all a matter of considering the number of GBs you need (ideally at least 16GB dual channel), CAS latency, as well as the frequency you are looking for. From there just choose the best kit you can afford that falls under your requirements. Oh, and if you can afford it get a kit that has RGB lights as the difference that makes in your PC case in terms of aesthetics can be stunning.

Frequently Asked Ryzen 5 5600X RAM Questions:

Is 3200MHz RAM good for Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes, 3200MHz is good for the Ryzen 5 5600X. Though if you opt for a memory kit with a frequency of 3200MHz, make sure it has a lower CAS latency of at least 18 with 16 being ideal.

Is 3600MHz RAM good for Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes, 3600MHz RAM frequency is very good for the Ryzen 5 5600X. In fact, it is the ideal frequency in terms of price to performance turning up to be the eventual price sweet spot for DDR4 as we slowly move towards DDR5 adoption.

Is 3200MHz CL16 good for Ryzen 5 5600X?

Yes, 3200MHz CL16 RAM is indeed good for the Ryzen 5 5600X. The low CAS latency of CL16 is certainly beneficial in offsetting the lower 3200MHz frequency. But also consider other factors such as RAM capacity, price, and even the heat spreader design.

What is the max RAM speed for Ryzen 5 5600X?

7156MHz is the max DDR4 Ram speed, but the actual gains are far too little compared to the exorbitant prices of such high-frequency kits. Therefore it is ideal to stick within the range of around 3000 to 4000MHz with 3200MHz CL14 or 3600MHz CL16 RAM being ideal in terms of price to performance.