By Robin Owens 23 days ago, RAMs
The best DDR3 RAMs available on the market.
If you want to build a new PC or upgrade your laptop, you need to choose a good RAM. To make the right decision you have to clarify the difference between 8, 16, or 32GB models, how important clock speed is, what memory timings are, etc. This guide will help you learn the main aspects that should be taken into consideration while selecting the best DDR3 RAM.
This article concentrates on desktop memory, but many technical specifications and recommendations concern laptops as well. Laptops work best with a SO-DIMM kit, whereas traditional modern desktop computers require longer DIMMs. The memory of many present-day laptops is soldered to the motherboard so it can’t be upgraded. That’s why, you need to check all the specs before deciding to modernize your device.
Type: DDR3 | Capacity: 16 GB | Speed: 1600 MHz | Item Weight : 1.58 ounces
Silicon Power is a great unit for maximizing the speed of your device. Install DDR3 RAM and you will notice that the performance of your PC gets better. Besides, the memory module is fitted in the heat sink that protects it from overheating.
The aluminum heat sink features sharp teeth. Silicon Power DDR3 only upgrades your system but also provides a great solution to energy consumption problems. Enhanced heat dissipation ensures that a computer operates at low temperatures for a more stable and durable performance.
Type: DDR3 | Capacity: 16 GB | Speed: 1600 MHz | Item Weight : 0.8 ounces
A memory manager of Windows 32-bit OS has a limitation of 4 GB physical address space, most of which is occupied by RAM. Much space is also necessary for memory-mapped devices such as graphics card and the BIOS ROMs.
Non-memory devices require much room leaving less than 4GB of address space. macOS X Tiger and Leopard are 64-bit OS and they are not affected by this problem. This issue doesn’t concern 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 as well.
Type: DDR3 | Capacity: 16 GB | Speed: 1866 MHz |Item Weight : 1.41 ounces
Kingston HyperX Fury is DDR3 gaming RAM for making your gaming experience enjoyable and lag-free. It can increase the original memory with up to 16GB of highly functional RAM. Besides, your system will definitely look great as HyperX FURY comes in various colors to match your custom case model.
You can be sure of top-notch performance as this model has been tested by popular manufacturers of motherboards and they all claim this is a solid choice. The great thing is that Kingston HyperX Fury is offered with a lifetime warranty and effective tech support for solving any issue you may face.
Type: DDR3 | Capacity: 16 GB | Speed: 1600 MHz | Item Weight : 0.317 ounces
Corsair Vengeance Pro Series is probably the best DDR3 RAM that can overlock on the latest 3rd and 4th Gen Intel Core platforms. Besides, it is fitted with eight-layer PCBs and ICs that improve the performance of the module. The unit is equipped with aluminum heat spreaders for optimal temperature management and the best possible performance.
Featuring XMP 1.3 profiles, this RAM is capable of auto-overlocking. Corsair Vengeance Pro Series comes in different colors to match the original color scheme of your system. Although this RAM is quite expensive, its great functionality is worth such high costs.
Type: DDR3 | Capacity: 16 GB | Speed: 1600 MHz | Item Weight : 1.6 ounces
Crucial 16GB Kit is a fast DDR3 memory that is easy to install. You don’t have to be a specialist in computers to add this memory to your system. You only need a screwdriver and a few minutes to cope with the task. If you want to upgrade your PC, this model of RAM is probably one of the best options.
Every computer user knows that the amount of RAM greatly affects the speed of loading applications, surfing the web, editing a spreadsheet. Besides, a good memory like the Crucial 16GB Kit allows you to perform multiple tasks at once without any issues.
| IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Silicon Power
Our Choice
|
CHECK PRICE → | |
|
Corsair Vengeance
Stylish
|
CHECK PRICE → | |
|
Kingston HyperX Fury
High quality
|
CHECK PRICE → |
What Is RAM?
RAM stands for random-access memory and serves as a form of temp memory utilized by PCs. The main task of RAM is to provide a central processing unit with quick access to the necessary data without its permanent storage that is why it is refreshed and overwritten regularly. This type of memory is faster than permanent storages like HDD and SSD. However, the fact that it can’t be used for long-term storage is the downside of any RAM. This memory only stores the data temporarily while being active.
And why is RAM essential for any PC?
The main reason why RAM is so important is that it stores the data available for speedy access for CPU and GPU. So, this component affects the ability of a system to multitask, meaning that you can operate many programs at once without experiencing any trouble. Besides, it stores assets necessary for your gaming sessions.
Laptop and Desktop RAM
Laptops and desktops utilize different types of RAM. They differ in size, form, and configuration of the connector pins for establishing the connection to the motherboard.
Laptops use SO-DIMM module, whereas desktops utilize DIMM module. Actually, SO-DIMM is a smaller version of DIMM. Laptops need more compact memory as their size should be small enough for being portable. SO-DIMM is 2.74-inches long, while the standard length of DIMM is 5¼-inches. The first type of RAM has 260 pins, the second – 288 pins. That is why laptops cannot use the DIMM memory, and vice versa. So, while selecting the best DDR3 RAM you should understand the distinction between these two RAM types clearly. Fortunately, they look different, so it should not cause serious difficulties.
Motherboard Form Factor and Slot Count
When shopping for RAM kits, you should check whether a motherboard of your device supports DDR4 or DDR3. You can do it by searching for the System Information, which contains System Summary – the section that should tell you about the specifications of your motherboard. Go to the manufacturer’s website and find the model of the motherboard your device is fitted with. Once you have found the right model. Check the necessary info in the spec sheet.
You should also examine the motherboard and check how many RAM slots it has. This spec is also described on the website mentioned above. The number of slots depends on the form of your motherboard. Mini ITX models are only fitted with two RAM slots, ATX units have four slots, and Micro ATX motherboards are supplied with four slots. The market contains models that only contains two slots. Some advanced units, like EATX motherboards, are fitted with eight slots, but this is too many even for gaming PCs.
Yes, this RAM is quite powerful, but the majority of modern motherboards utilize DDR4 RAM. However, if your PC is fitted with a decent CPU and 16GB of DDR3 memory, the performance of the system should be good enough. If your desktop is engineered with AMD FX CPU like the 8350, you should probably upgrade to DDR4
The price of DDR3 has increased significantly since 2012/2013 because some big dram facilities faced numerous incidents such as tsunamis, fires, and earthquakes. And after 2015/2016 the cost for DDR3 RAM hasn’t decreased due to it being rarer.
If you want to upgrade, you need to know that you will have not only to buy a new RAM but also a better motherboard and central processing unit. Fast CPUs deliver speedy performance, not because of RAM. As numerous tests have shown, DDR3 and DDR4 are equally good for gaming, so the difference between their performance is not vivid.
The DDR3 memory will last for approximately ten years, as LGA775 to LGA1150 still utilize this RAM type.
