Key Points
- The Ryzen 5 5600X is a mid-range processor in AMD’s Zen 3 architecture, known for its efficiency and low power consumption.
- The G.SKILL Trident Z Neo is one of the best RAM kits for the Ryzen 5 5600X, offering overclocking capabilities and optimized performance for AMD processors.
- The Corsair VENGEANCE RGB Pro is a great alternative to the G.SKILL RAM, with customizable RGB lighting and two different height options.
- The Patriot Viper Steel is a top choice for different builds, thanks to its steady performance and low-profile design.
- The G.Skill Ripjaws V is a simple and affordable RAM kit that offers good performance without the need for overclocking or fancy lighting.
What is the best RAM for the Ryzen 5 5600X? While AMD’s mid-range processor has largely been replaced by newer CPUs in the product line, there is still quite a bit of life left in the 5600X. If you’ve been thinking of targeting a more budget-oriented build, it makes for a fine choice as a compromise between performance and price. That said, finding the right sort of RAM can be difficult.
Rather than bog you down with a plethora of choices, today’s guide will focus on the best kits you can buy that should just be a drop-in installation. These should also suit a variety of builds, regardless of the motherboard and case size. So, after going through dozens of options, here are our top picks:
- Best Overall: G.SKILL Trident Z Neo
- Best Runner-Up: Corsair VENGEANCE RGB Pro
- Best Budget Choice: Corsair VENGEANCE LPX
- Best for Overclocking: TEAMGROUP T-Force Dark Z
- Best for Different Builds: Patriot Viper Steel
- Best for Simplicity: G.SKILL Ripjaws V
What Is the Ryzen 5 5600X?
The Ryzen 5 5600X is a 2020 processor launched by AMD. It serves as a mid-range processor in the Zen 3 architecture and is one of the last CPUs from AMD to utilize the AM4 socket. It’s quite an efficient piece of tech. Despite being a six-core processor, it only draws up to 65 watts from the wall. The 5600X is an X series processor, meaning it gets better access to virtualization functions.
Specs
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600X | |
|---|---|
| Core Count | 6 |
| Thread Count | 12 |
| Base Clock Frequency | 3.7 GHz |
| Boost Clock Frequency | 4.6 GHz |
| PCI-E Version Supported | 4.0 |
| RAM Supported | DDR4-3200 |
| Unlocked for Overclocking? | Yes |
| CPU Socket | AM4 |
#1 Best Overall: G.SKILL Trident Z Neo
- Memory clock speed: 3600 MHz
- Computer memory size: 32 GB
- 288 pins
- DDR4 SDRAM
The best DDR4-3200 RAM you can purchase is the G.SKILL Trident Z Neo. This RAM kit comes with up to 32GB of memory and is optimized for AMD processors out of the box. It is RGB-enabled, meaning you get a bit of flashiness with your installation, especially if you have tricked-out lighting in your case.
What makes the G.SKILL one of the best RAM for the Ryzen 5 5600X is its extreme flexibility. This RAM kit has plenty of room for overclocking while also offering stable and uniform performance as a whole. Users looking for a cheap drop-in kit are likely to be disappointed, though, as this is some of the priciest memory you can purchase at the moment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It offers fantastic performance for DDR4. | It is more expensive than comparable RAM kits. |
| G.SKILL built this for AMD processors. | The height of it might pose an issue with some CPU coolers. |
Check out the G.SKILL Trident Z Neo on Amazon.
Best Runner-Up: Corsair VENGEANCE RGB Pro
- Memory clock speed: 3600 MHz
- Memory storage capacity: 32 GB
- 288 pins
- Compatible with Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards
Corsair is no stranger to excellent RAM kits. The VENEGANCE RGB Pro brings outstanding performance in a deluxe-looking package. This is a fantastic alternative to the G.SKILL offering, giving comparable performance and RGB functionality.
This is one of the better choices of RAM for the Ryzen 5 5600X. It comes in two different sizing variants, one with taller DIMMs and a slim version intended for smaller cases and larger CPU fans. Tweakers will likely take issue with its lack of overclocking overhead. However, there is plenty to enjoy with this RAM kit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has two different height options. | There isn’t much room for overclocking. |
| The RGB lighting is easy to manage with Corsair’s software. | The RGB lighting isn’t as robust as the G.Skill implementation. |
Check out the Corsair VENEGANCE RGB Pro on Amazon.
Best Budget Choice: Corsair VENGEANCE LPX
- Memory speed: 3600 MHz
- Memory storage capacity: 32 GB
- Optimized and compatibility tested for the latest Intel and AMD DDR4 motherboards
- Designed to fit smaller spaces
The VENGEANCE LPX is a fantastic choice for users aiming for no-frills RAM. What makes this one of the top choices of RAM for the Ryzen 5 5600X is its steadfast performance. There really isn’t room for overclocking on this RAM kit, but you won’t need to, realistically speaking.
The DIMMs themselves are low-profile, meaning they can be installed in just about any case you can imagine. Design-wise, these aren’t the most exciting RAM modules you can find. They’re aesthetically pleasing, but nowhere near as flashy as an RGB RAM kit. They do come in a variety of colors, so you can customize your build as needed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The VENGEANCE LPX has great overall pricing. | There isn’t any overclocking headroom. |
| The lower profile allows for installation in many cases. | The timing of the RAM isn’t quite as rigid as more expensive options. |
Check out the Corsair VENGEANCE LPX on Amazon.
Best for Overclocking: TEAMGROUP T-Force Dark Z
If performance is a concern, the TEAMGROUP T-Force Dark Z is the best choice. This is another no-frills RAM module kit. Instead of being concerned with the flashiness and glitz seen with some RGB RAM kits, TEAMGROUP has tilted its hand directly into high performance. This results in RAM modules that are an absolute dream for overclockers. This particular kit has plenty of headroom for handling overclocking, meaning you can coax some truly impressive performance out of the RAM kit as a whole.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has loads of room for overclocking. | It doesn’t have any RGB functionality. |
| T-Force Dark Z is great value for its price. | The RAM modules are rather simple looking. |
Check out the TEAMGROUP T-Force Dark Z on Amazon.
Best for Different Builds: Patriot Viper Steel
- 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 Kit
- Aluminum heat spreader
- XMP 2.0 support for automatic overclocking
- Compatible with the latest Intel and AMD platforms
- 288 pins
One of the versatile RAM kits you can purchase is the Patriot Viper Steel. This simple-looking set of RAM isn’t going to be the flashiest kit you can purchase. However, if you’re just after a flexible memory kit with the potential to fit into a small form factor PC, you won’t be disappointed.
Patriot Viper Steel is some of the best RAM for the Ryzen 5 5600X, thanks in part to its steady performance — despite the simplistic appearance. It isn’t going to win awards for making your case’s interior look incredible, but performance always trumps visual aesthetics.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It has a solid price-to-performance ratio. | They aren’t very visually exciting. |
| The lower profile is ideal for smaller PC cases. | Viper Steel doesn’t have much room for overclocking. |
Check out the Patriot Viper Steel on Amazon.
Best for Simplicity: G.Skill Ripjaws V
- 3200 MHz memory clock speed
- 32 GB memory storage capacity
- 288 pins
- XMP 2.0 profile support
Do you just want RAM that works out of the box? Then the G.SKILL Ripjaws V is the choice for you. What makes this some of the best RAM for the Ryzen 5 5600X is its utter simplicity. There isn’t a need for overclocking, fancy lighting, or software to manage the RAM itself.
Instead, you’ll just drop the kit into the slots and get to gaming, working, or whatever else you want to do with your build. The Ripjaws V is big on performance without really concerning itself too much with visual appearances. However, tweakers are likely to steer clear of this one thanks to the minimal overclocking headroom.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is one of the most affordable RAM kits you can purchase. | There is minimal room for overclocking. |
| Performance is close to more expensive competitors. | The lower-cost memory chips result in a performance slump when compared to more deluxe options. |
Check out the G.SKILL Ripjaws V on Amazon.
Picking the Best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X: What to Know
Overclocking
Not every user is going to be keen on squeezing every last ounce of performance out of their build. However, the mad scientists in the audience might be keen to find RAM kits with good overclocking capabilities. Generally speaking, lower-cost RAM isn’t going to be an ideal fit for overclocking.
You’ll have to spend a little extra to get a RAM kit that allows for better performance. This can be attributed to the choice of memory chips. Deluxe kits like the G.SKILL Trident Z Neo give quite a bit of headroom for overclockers, but you’re paying considerably more out of the gate for a RAM kit.
RAM Size
The height of a RAM module matters when it comes to your consideration of the case and CPU cooler. Users looking to build a smaller PC will need to pick slim RAM. Larger cases and CPU coolers with plenty of clearance can get away with higher-profile RAM. You’ll want to read up on your case and CPU cooler before choosing a RAM kit.
Picking the Right Slots
With RAM, timing is everything. As such, you’ll want to pick paired slots to maximize the performance of a memory kit. Most motherboards will come with information on which RAM slots you should be using to get the absolute best performance out of your memory. You don’t want to drop a sum on a deluxe RAM kit that isn’t reaching its full potential.
Using the Best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X: What It’s Like
If you’ve paired the right components together, your computer should be flying along without a hitch. This is especially noticeable when gaming. The Ryzen 5 5600X still has plenty of performance when it comes to the likes of PC gaming, and hit titles like Elden Ring, Starfield, and Baldur’s Gate 3 have plenty of demands to stress a system.
If you’ve got the right sort of RAM and a decent GPU, then any modern game should pose no issue. The same goes for standard workloads; you’ll have plenty of room and speed for handling tasks like data processing, coding, and general web browsing.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Mentor57/Shutterstock.com.
