This category covers DDR5 memory modules and kits for desktop PCs, laptops, workstations and servers. Our range includes over 1,100 models, mostly from G.SKILL, Kingston, Corsair and ADATA, with capacities from 8 GB up to 128 GB.
How to choose DDR5 memory
Module format. Desktop PCs need 288-pin DIMMs, laptops usually take 262-pin SO-DIMMs, and some newer laptops use the CAMM format. Registered (buffered) server memory does not work in ordinary motherboards, so check which type your board or laptop supports first. Most modules in our range are unbuffered DIMMs for desktop PCs.
Capacity and kit. 16 GB is enough for office work and most games, 32 GB suits video editing, games with background apps and virtual machines, and 64 GB or more is for heavier workloads. Our range includes 8, 16, 32, 48, 64 and 128 GB options. Two matching modules, for example 2 x 16 GB, run in dual-channel mode and increase memory bandwidth, so a kit is often a better buy than a single module.
Speed and latency. Look at both the frequency (MT/s) and the CAS latency (CL): CL30, CL32, CL36 and CL40 are common in our range. At the same frequency a lower CL means a quicker response, but the processor and motherboard also limit speed, so choose a frequency your platform genuinely supports.
Voltage and XMP or EXPO profiles. The standard DDR5 voltage is 1.1 V, and such modules run on basic JEDEC settings. Faster gaming modules rated from 1.25 to 1.45 V usually carry an XMP (Intel) or EXPO (AMD) profile, which you need to enable in the BIOS. A profile written for one platform does not always work on the other, so read the product description.
Brands we carry
- G.SKILL: known for the Trident Z5 and Ripjaws series, whose fast kits are popular with enthusiasts.
- Kingston and Kingston FURY: the FURY line is aimed at gamers, while Kingston also makes standard memory for everyday PCs and laptops.
- Corsair: makes the Vengeance series and the high-end Dominator modules with heatspreaders and lighting.
- ADATA: sells its gaming memory under the XPG name.
- Patriot and Patriot Memory: known for the Viper series of gaming memory.
- Crucial: the consumer brand of Micron, one of the largest memory chip makers.
- TeamGroup: offers the T-Force gaming series.
- KLEVV: a brand owned by Essencore, a company in the SK hynix group.
Also in our range: Lexar and GOODRAM modules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use DDR5 memory in a DDR4 motherboard?
No, DDR5 modules are physically and electrically incompatible with DDR4 slots, so they only work in a board designed for DDR5. The standard DDR5 voltage is also lower, at 1.1 V compared with 1.2 V for DDR4. Moving to DDR5 normally means replacing the motherboard, and often the processor as well.
How much DDR5 memory do I need?
16 GB is enough for most users, while 32 GB is worth choosing for gaming, video editing and running several demanding programs at once. 64 GB or more is for virtual machines, 3D projects and large datasets.
Is 2 x 16 GB better than 1 x 32 GB?
If your motherboard has at least two memory slots, 2 x 16 GB is usually better, because two modules run in dual-channel mode and give higher bandwidth. A single 32 GB module leaves a slot free for later expansion. Four DDR5 modules often force the memory speed down, so two larger modules are a simpler route to 64 GB.
What are XMP and EXPO?
XMP (Intel) and EXPO (AMD) are memory profiles stored on the module by the manufacturer, letting it run faster than the standard JEDEC speed. You need to enable the profile in the BIOS, otherwise the memory runs slower. If your processor or motherboard does not support the rated speed, the system will run the module at a lower one.
