Best DDR3 RAMs – Revive Your Old Gaming PC With These Options
The latest systems might not be compatible with DDR3 RAMs but there are a lot of processors that offer strong performance and use DDR3 RAMs, especially the extreme series processors from the 3rd and 4th generation of Intel. While memory has gotten faster (and cheaper) in comparison to those times, DDR3 is still quite popular. In fact, many people are still rocking their third/fourth-generation Core i5s and i7s. So, there is definitely still a market for it.
DDR3 RAMs operate within 1333 to 1866MHz. However, some of these modules are overclockable, but that depends on the motherboard and memory sticks. Since we don’t have the highest bandwidth, higher frequencies will help here. With all of that to the side, here are some of the best DDR3 RAMs still worth getting in 2022.
1. G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3
High Performance RAMs
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Great performance
- Solid overclocking headroom
- Stylish heat spreaders
Cons
- Slightly higher latency
- No RGB lighting
Clock speeds: 1600 MHz | Latency: CL10-10-10-30 | RGB/LED: N/A
Check PriceWe start this roundup with the fan favorite G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 RAM kit, which is a popular choice among PC builders and enthusiasts. It is designed to provide reliable performance and a unique aesthetic appeal with its red heat spreaders. It is available in various configurations ranging from 4GB to 32GB and speeds ranging from 1333MHz to 2400MHz, but we chose the 1600 MHz variant for the purposes of this overview.
Firstly, the G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 RAM kit offers excellent performance out of the box. This memory is designed with a low profile heat spreader to ensure maximum compatibility with most CPU coolers. Moreover, the G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 RAM kit has good overclocking potential, allowing users to push the memory frequency beyond its rated speed. With proper cooling and voltage adjustments, users can achieve higher frequencies and tighter timings to improve system performance.
However, it’s worth noting that overclocking may void the warranty and it might not be suitable for beginners.
On the flip side, the G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 RAM kit features a unique red heat spreader design, which adds a touch of elegance to any PC build. The heat spreaders are made of high-quality aluminum to ensure durability and efficient heat dissipation. However, some users may find the absence of RGB lighting disappointing.
At the end of the day, the G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 RAM kit offers excellent value for money due to its affordable price and good performance. It is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users who want reliable RAM for their gaming or productivity needs without going overboard with the price.
In essence, the G.Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 RAM kit is an excellent choice for users who want low latency, high-performance RAM with a unique design. It offers good overclocking potential and excellent value for money, making it a popular choice among PC builders and enthusiasts.
2. Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x 8GB) DDR3
Low Latency RAMs
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Large heat spreader
- Good latency
- Understated design
Cons
- Lack of lighting
- Premium price
Clock speeds: 1600 MHz | Latency: CL9-9-9-24 | RGB/LED: N/A
Our next pick of the list is the Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM, which is a high-performance memory kit designed for gaming and content creation applications. The Vengeance RAM is Corsair’s mainstream DDR3 offering for desktop PCs, and it checks most of the boxes.
The Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM kit offers excellent performance with a low latency of 9-9-9-24 and speeds ranging from 1600MHz to 2400MHz. It is designed with XMP 1.3 support for easy overclocking, and its low voltage requirements make it energy-efficient. The memory is optimized for the latest Intel and AMD platforms, ensuring compatibility with most systems.
Moreover, the Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM kit features aluminum heat spreaders designed to dissipate heat efficiently, ensuring optimal thermal performance. The heat spreader features a unique design with a raised profile that looks really nice, but may interfere with some CPU coolers. You may need to cross-check the compatibility of this RAM kit with the dimensions of your CPU cooler before buying.
Speaking of heat spreaders, the Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM kit features an understated design with a sleek black heat spreader that complements most computer components. The heat spreaders are not only decent in design, but they are also functional and keep the memory modules in an optimal temperature range. While it lacks RGB lighting, the minimalist design may appeal to users who prefer a cleaner aesthetic.
The Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM kit is a bit expensive compared to other DDR3 RAM kits on the market. However, it offers excellent performance and reliability, making it a good investment for users who demand high-end memory solutions. It is a bit of a premium option compared to the alternatives, but the overall package is well worth considering.
All in all, the Vengeance DDR3 RAM kit checks a lot of boxes and does not leave a lot to be desired. Some users may want a bit of RGB lighting or a more affordable price tag, but Corsair’s reliability and brand status is also something to be considered here. This DDR3 RAM kit should definitely be on your shortlist.
3. Patriot Viper III 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3
Great Price/Performance Ratio
Pros
- Comes hand-tested
- The stock frequency is great for most of applications
- Black Mamba heat-spreader is fairly good while keeping low-profile
Cons
- Failure rate is a bit more than other sticks
- A lot of these sticks are mislabeled
Clock speeds: 1866 MHz | Latency: CL10-11-10-30 | RGB/LED: N/A
Patriot RAM kits are getting popular these days, especially for the DDR4 platform where some memory kits can perform at 4200 MHz frequency. The DDR3 RAM kits are quite remarkable too, with high frequency-ranges and are good overclockers too, as these kits are usually covered by great heat-spreaders. In fact, one of the unique identifications for the Patriot Viper RAMs was used to be the tall and weird-looking heat-spreader, especially for the DDR2 times. The Viper III, although, have introduced quite a good-looking heat-spreader which works great while not being very tall.
The stock frequency of the RAM kit is 1866 MHz and it is XMP 1.3 supported. These kits are hand tested by the company which is why these sticks will definitely run at 1866 MHz as long as your system supports them. When overclocking, we were able to see 2200 MHz easily. Further pushing it was a bit of luck and we were able to see 2400 MHz stable with the help of 1.65v voltage. Such a frequency is quite good for cheap RAM like Viper III and we were amazed by the performance of this RAM kit.
This RAM kit is quite an attractive product, which provides great overclocking support while being cheaper than most of the RAM kits with similar performance and we recommend this RAM kit if you are short on budget.
4. Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3
Cheaply Available
Pros
- Comes with lowest latency possible on DDR3 platform
- Multitudes of colors to choose from
- The anodized heat-spreaders perform well during overclocking
Cons
- Tall heat-spreaders will pose clearance issues
- Lowest stock clocks among these RAM kits
Clock speeds: 1600 MHz | Latency: CL9-9-9-24 | RGB/LED: N/A
Corsair Vengeance Pro Series is a RAM kit that is dedicated to people who require a balanced performance. The RAM stick comes with a tall heat-spreader, which provides great looks too. The kit is available in brown, grey, red, and blue colors, giving the users a choice to buy the one which matches their setup.
The sticks, at default configuration, work at 1600 MHz frequency with a low latency of CL9 but due to high-quality heat-spreaders, they can be overclocked greatly. We were surprised to see clocks going as high as 2400 MHz without much effort and completely stable at only 1.6V voltage.
We believe that this RAM kit is wonderful for the price and it has similar performance to the Patriot Viper III, although it uses a bit taller heat-spreader and if it is compatible with your air cooler then you can consider this RAM kit instead of the Patriot Viper III.
5. Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3
Low Profile RAM
Pros
- Excellent for low profile systems
- Solid performance
- Decent cooling
Cons
- High price
- Lack of lighting
Clock speeds: 1600 MHz | Latency: CL9-9-9-24 | RGB/LED: N/A
The last contender on our list is the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR3 RAM kit, which is a low-profile variant of Corsair’s popular Vengeance RAM, designed to fit into smaller PC builds. The LPX memory modules are specifically designed for micro ATX and mini ITX PC builds, which have become increasingly popular in recent years.
The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR3 RAM kit delivers excellent performance with a low latency of 9-9-9-24 and speeds ranging from 1600MHz to 2400MHz. We chose the 1600 MHz kit for the purposes of this overview, which is a nice sweet spot of price and performance when to DDR3 memory. With a low latency of CL9, the Vengeance LPX is designed to maximize the performance of your Intel or AMD system.
In terms of thermals, the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR3 RAM kit features an aluminum heat spreader designed to dissipate heat efficiently and keep the memory module running cool. The low-profile design of the heat spreader allows for easy installation even in tight spaces. The LPX memory kits are ideal for those users who want to install a tower style CPU cooler in their builds.
Aesthetically, the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR3 RAM kit features a simple, understated design that complements most PC components. It does not have any RGB lighting or funky color accents, but the overall look is quite simple and understated which does not look bad in any sense of the word. If you are looking for a stealthy memory kit for your all-black PC, this is the one to consider.
Looking at the market, the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR3 RAM kit is priced slightly higher than some competing kits on the market, but it delivers great performance and efficient cooling. Its low-profile design is a unique selling point that makes it an excellent choice for compact builds. The Vengeance LPX does provide a solid value for money when you consider all its features.
In conclusion, the Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR3 RAM kit is a great choice for users who demand a high-end DDR3 RAM kit for their compact build. It delivers excellent performance, efficient cooling, and a simple, understated design. While it is priced slightly higher than some alternative kits on the market, its features and low profile nature make it an excellent investment.
