The new Intel 12th generation Alder lake processors are finally here and intel claims it to be far more powerful than the AMD Ryzen processors in terms of gaming. Intel has a new approach to the 12th gen i5-12600K, i7-12700K, and i9-12900K chips with a brand new 10nm Alder Lake architecture. It supports DDR5 memory and in this article, we will list out the best DDR5 RAM currently available for you to buy.
This new architecture code-named Alder lake has a new 16 core design out of which 8 are performance cores and 8 efficiency cores on the i9-12900K. The i5-12600K has a 10 core design with 6 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. The i5-12600K manages 10 to 20% higher frame rates than the Ryzen 5 5600X in gaming, making it i5-12600K the new mid-range gaming CPU king.
These new chips support DDR5 memory which is two times faster than DDR4 memory. With DDR5, the power controller is moved onto the RAM stick and it has a new two 32-bit sub-channel bus which is much faster than the single 64-bit bus on DDR4. Also, the speeds have increased to 4800MHz and 5200MHz with OEMs making overclocked DDR5 RAM sticks thanks to the new power controller.
These new intel chips are bigger due to those efficient cores and have a new LGA 1700 socket. The Z690 motherboards come with LGA 1700 sockets with DDR5 RAM support and newer PCIe 5.0. All popular manufacturers like Corsair, G.Skill, Crucial, and XPG already have DDR5 memory available to buy. The list below provides a detailed comparison of the best 8 RAM kits available. So you can buy the one suited for your needs.
The best DDR5 RAM for i5 12600K and i9 12900K is the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RAM. It comes with on-die ECC which automatically detects and corrects memory errors. It also has advanced XMP 3.0 profiles for overclocking and offers a programmable PMIC for users to create and save their own customizable XMP profiles.
| Motherboards | Timings | CAS latency |
|---|---|---|
| G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series 32GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM | 36-36-36-89 | 36 |
| CORSAIR Vengeance 5200MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM | 38-38-38-84 | 38 |
| CORSAIR Dominator Platinum 5200MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM | 38-38-38-84 | 38 |
| Crucial 4800MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM | 40-39-39 | 40 |
| XPG Lancer DDR5 RGB 6000MHz 32GB RAM | 40-40-40-77 | 40 |
| Kingston Fury Beast 32GB 5200MHz DDR5 RAM | 40-40-40-77 | 40 |
Table of Contents
List of Best DDR5 RAM for Intel 12600K
- Clock frequency – 5600MHz
- Timing – 36-36-36-89
- CAS Latency – 36
- Voltage – 1.20V
- Clock frequency – 5200MHz
- Timing – 38-38-38-84
- CAS Latency – 38
- Voltage – 1.25V
- Clock frequency – 5200MHz
- Timing – 38-38-38-84
- CAS Latency – 38
- Voltage – 1.25V
- Clock frequency – 4800MHz
- Timing – 40-39-39
- CAS Latency – 40
- Voltage – 1.10V
- Clock frequency – 6000MHz
- Timing – 40-40-40-77
- CAS Latency – 40
- Voltage – 1.25V to 1.45V (Overclocking)
- Clock frequency – 5200MHz
- Timing – 40-40-40-77
- CAS Latency – 40
- Voltage – 1.25V
Best DDR5 RAM for Intel i5-12600K, i7-12700K, i9-12900K – Things to Consider
The new DDR5 memory is two times faster than the DDR4 memory in performance. DDR5 RAM has double the bandwidth and the same latency as DDR4. This makes games run at higher frame rates and better graphic settings. DDR5 RAM is future-proof and is here to stay. These are the main features of DDR5 that affect performance and vary from OEMs to OEMs, which you need to consider while buying DDR5 RAM kits.
DDR5 vs DDR4 memory – what’s improved?
The table summarizes what’s improved in DDR5 when compared to DDR4 –
| Improvements | DDR4 | DDR5 | Advantages of DDR5 |
| Speed | 1800MHz to 4200MHz (Overclocked) | 4800MHz to 8400MHz (Overclocked) | Higher speed |
| Performance | Burst chop – 4, Burst length – 8 | Burst chop – 8, Burst length – 16 | Higher efficiency, hence better performance |
| Higher capacity | 16GB SDP = 64GB DIMMs (Max RAM stick capacity) | 64GB SDP = 256GB DIMMs (Max RAM stick capacity) | Higher capacity per stick |
| voltage | 1.2V SSTL | 1.1V PODL | PODL is more efficient leading to less power consumption |
| Power management | On motherboard | On DIMM (RAM stick) | Better power efficiency and higher capacity |
Speed – The memory bandwidth has significantly improved in DDR5 with speeds of 4800MHz and 5200MHz in stock RAM kits. These speeds will be even higher for overclocked RAM kits. Also, the data rate is doubled thanks to the new dual 32-bit bus instead of the single 64-bit bus on DDR4. DDR5 can technically scale up to 8400MHz after overclocking.
Performance – DDR5 has huge performance gains mainly due to the longer burst length. In DDR4, the burst chop of 4, and the burst length was 8. In DDR5 the burst chop has doubled to 8 and burst length of 16. This gives each module more time to cool down and recharge between clock cycles. Hence the clock speed has increased by a lot in DDR5 due to the longer burst length.
Higher Capacity – While DDR4 had a single-die package (SDP) limit of 16GB, DDR5 has an SDP limit of 64GB. Due to this single RAM stick can be packaged with higher capacity. DDR5 also supports features like error transparency mode, ECC, post package repair, and read and write CRC modes all of which lead DDR5 to support higher capacity DIMMs.
Voltage – DDR4 had an operating voltage of 1.2V while it has dropped to 1.1V in DDR5. Also, the command address (CA) has changed from Stub Series Terminated Logic (SSTL) to PODL, where the module consumes no power when it’s ideal in the high state.
Power management – The power management system is DDR5 RAM kits have been moved from the motherboard to the RAM stick. This means that the power controller is located in the RAM stick making it more efficient and also supporting higher capacity. This also makes overclocking easier with the new XMP 3.0 with custom profiles.
G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB Series 32GB 5600MHz DDR5 RAM
Best High-end Performance DDR5 RAM
REASONS TO BUY
High-end performance
Up to 6000MHz clock frequency
CL36 Latency
Advanced overclocking
REASONS TO AVOID
No onboard ECC
OUR SCORE
Value for money – 8.5/10
DESIGN – 9/10
PERFORMANCE – 9/10
Verdict – Flagship RAM kit with high-end performance along with adavnced overclcoking
SPECIFICATIONS
| Height | 42mm |
| RGB | Customizable RGB with sync |
| Capacity | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5600MHz (default) |
| Voltage | 1.20V |
| Latency | CL36 |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
The Trident Z5 RGB series is the next-gen flagship DDR5 RAM kit from G.Skill. It’s currently only supported by the Z690 intel chipsets which consist of the popular i9 12900K, i7 12700k, and the i5 12600K Intel processors. The RAM kits come in a pair of two 16GB RAM sticks equaling to 32GB dual-channel configuration, which is ideal for most modern memory intense games.
This DDR5 RAM runs by default at 6000MHz clock speed at 1.35V. The CAS latency is CL36 (36-36-36-96) at 1.35 Volts, which is best in this category compared to other high-end popular DDR5 RAM kits like Corsair, Crucial, XPG, Kingston, etc. One of the best features of this RAM kit is its overclocking capabilities.
The Trident Z5 DDR5 RAM can be easily overclocked, with stable performance. After overclocking the G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5 RAM performs way better than other RAM kits in this high-end category with superior cooling thanks to the new aluminum heat spreader. The new sleeker heat spreader is designed such that it dissipates heat efficiently without any drop in performance.
It supports the new XMP 3.0 profile for easy overclocking for high-end performance in games. At the default JEDEC profile it performs brilliantly, far superior to its rivals. Hence making it the best pick in the high-performance DDR5 RAM category for the Intel i9 12900K.
To get the most out of the Trident Z5, it’s best to pair it with a Z690 motherboard along with the new 12th gen Intel i9 12900K, i7 12700K, or the budget-friendly i5 12600K. This RAM kit comes with RGB lighting which can be controlled through the G.Skill lighting control software or with any third-party motherboard software.
It’s available in a black or a white color option. It has a premium build due to the aluminum heat spreaders and RGB lighting. It uses the standard 288 pin DIMM connector with no support for ECC making it a good choice for high-performance gaming.
- Clock frequency – 5600MHz
- Timing – 36-36-36-89
- CAS Latency – 36
- Voltage – 1.20V
Read next: Best RAM for Ryzen 5 5600X Builds
CORSAIR Vengeance 5200MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM
Best Budget DDR5 RAM
REASONS TO BUY
Affordable Price
Durable and reliable
onboard voltage regulation
iCUE software
REASONS TO AVOID
No LED lighting
No onboard ECC
OUR SCORE
Value for money – 9.5/10
DESIGN – 8/10
PERFORMANCE – 7.5/10
Verdict – Affordable DDR5 RAM which good performance that is reliable and durable. only drawback being the lack of LED lighing
SPECIFICATIONS
| Height | 35mm |
| RGB | no RGB |
| Capacity | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5200MHz |
| Voltage | 1.25V |
| Latency | CL38 |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
The Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM is another popular RAM kit that performs surprisingly great for its price. Considering its affordable price the corsair vengeance RAM provides great performance. It’s compatible with the new Z690 chipsets from intel along with XMP 3.0 support, making overclocking super easy.
In terms of design, its looks and feels premium due to the aluminum enclosure which also doubles as the heatspreader. It is available in a variety of colors and capabilities.
The Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM has a stock clock speed of 5200MHz and tested latency of CL38 (38-38-38-84 – timings) at 1.25V. Overclocking this RAM kit is also a breeze with custom XMP 3.0 profiles available in the iCUE software.
The iCUE software is pretty powerful and offers a lot of features to play with. One stand-out feature that this iCUE offers is onboard voltage regulation. The iCUE software features built-in voltage regulation, which makes overclocking super easy. By fine-tuning the voltage stable clock frequencies can be achieved.
This RAM kit is compact with a low clearance which makes it easily compatible with any DDR5 motherboard out there. It has an aluminum enclosure which also acts as the heatspreader. It has a good vengeance-inspired design and also efficiently removes heat away from the PCB. It also comes with a lifetime limited warranty on the PCB RAM sticks which is a strength for its durability and performance.
One drawback of this RAM kit is the lack of RGB LED lighting which is present on the similar performing Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR5 Series.
But if RGB lighting is not something you are looking then the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM is the best pick. Being priced cheaper than other DDR5 RAM kits by excluding RGB LED lighting but performs as well as the other DDR5 RAM kits in this list makes it a good budget choice for the Intel i5 12600K builds.
- Clock frequency – 5200MHz
- Timing – 38-38-38-84
- CAS Latency – 38
- Voltage – 1.25V
Read next: Best RAM for Ryzen 7 5800X Builds
CORSAIR Dominator Platinum 5200MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM
Best Budget DDR5 RAM with RGB
REASONS TO BUY
Affordable Price
RGB lighting
onboard voltage regulation
iCUE software
REASONS TO AVOID
No onboard ECC
OUR SCORE
Value for money – 9.5/10
DESIGN – 8/10
PERFORMANCE – 7.5/10
Verdict – Similar performance to the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM with the inclusion of RGB lighting
SPECIFICATIONS
| Height | 56mm |
| RGB | iCUE software sync RGB lighting |
| Capacity | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Speed | 5200MHz |
| Voltage | 1.25V |
| Latency | CL38 |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
The CORSAIR Dominator Platinum DDR5 RAM is very similar to the Corsair Vengeance RAM reviewed above but comes with different a design that includes RGB LED lighting compatible with the iCUE software which can sync with other RGB devices such as the motherboard, fans, case, and also with Corsair’s own gaming headphones.
The Corsair CORSAIR Dominator Platinum DDR5 RAM comes in two 16GB RAM kits with dual-channel support. The new DDR5 Dominator platinum RAM kit offers more capacities with higher clock frequencies which equals way better performance than the DDR4 version. This RAM kit is available in a 5200MHz and a 5600MHz version with both supporting overclocking along with custom XMP 3.0 profiles.
The iCUE software makes overclocking with XMP 3.0 profiles super convenient and also has built-in voltage regulation through it can be fine-tuned to run stable at higher clock frequencies. This RAM kit, unlike the cheaper Corsair Vengenace RAM kit, comes with RGB LED lighting which can also be controlled via the iCUE software. It can sync with other iCUE supported Corsair devices and also third-party parts like motherboards.
Finally coming to the price, it comes at a slight premium when compared to the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM reviewed above. Both of these RAM kits are similar in terms of performance and durability, being manufactured by the same manufacturer. The differences are that the Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR5 RAM kit has RGB LED lighting which can sync with other iCUE supported RGB lights whereas the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM is cheaper and comes in a compact design perfect for mini-ITX builds.
So if you are looking on to build an RGB-themed gaming PC with the new Z690 chipset from intel. The Corsair Dominator Platinum is your best choice. Else if you are on a budget and want the cheapest DDR5 RAM with good performance available in the market, then the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM is your best choice.
- Clock frequency – 5200MHz
- Timing – 38-38-38-84
- CAS Latency – 38
- Voltage – 1.25V
Read next: Best RAM for Ryzen 7 5800X Builds
Crucial 4800MHz 32GB DDR5 RAM
Best cheap DDR5 RAM
REASONS TO BUY
Power-efficient
compact design
On-module voltage regulation
REASONS TO AVOID
No RGB
No heat spreaders
OUR SCORE
Value for money – 9.5/10
DESIGN – 6/10
PERFORMANCE – 7/10
Verdict – Cheap DDR5 RAM with decent performance at a budget
SPECIFICATIONS
| Height | 40mm |
| RGB | No RGB |
| Capacity | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Speed | 4800MHz |
| Voltage | 1.10V |
| Latency | CL40 |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Speak about high-end performance RAM for gaming, Crucial is one of the first names that pops up. It is specifically built keeping high-end gaming performance in mind. Compared to the older DDR4 RAM, the new Crucial DDR5 RAM comes with a clock frequency of 4800MHz which is 1.5 times faster than DDR4 RAM.
The Crucial DDR5 RAM has a stock clock speed of 4800MHz with a CL40 (40-39-39) latency at 1.1 volts. In terms of overclocking, the RAM sticks run stable till around 5600MHz with good temperatures. The lack of a good heat spreader limits it from overclocking it to a higher clock frequency. Nonetheless, it is still a great performing RAM compared to DDR4, it offers faster file transfers, multi-tasking, and loading times due to the higher bandwidth of DDR5 which is also more efficient than the current DDR4 RAM kits.
One stand-out feature of the Crucial DDR5 RAM compared to other DDR5 RAM kits in this list is its lower onboard operating voltage of only 1.1V. This is due to the new on-module voltage regulation management system which provides improved less distorted signals to the modules and helps optimize the power efficiency.
Coming to the negative thing about the Crucial DDR5 RAM is it’s limited overclocking mainly because of the lack of a good aluminum heat spreader. The modules are also visible with no protection and cooling.
The Crucial DDR5 RAM is currently the cheapest DDR5 RAM available for the Intel i5 12600K, i7 12700K, and i9 12900K processors. For the price, it offers great performance but lower clock frequency than other DDR5 RAM kits. It also consumes less power than other DDR5 RAMs due to its lower operating voltage of 1.1V and its onboard optimized power delivery.
Finally, if you are looking for a cheap DRR5 RAM with decent performance then the Crucial DDR5 RAM is a good pick.
- Clock frequency – 4800MHz
- Timing – 40-39-39
- CAS Latency – 40
- Voltage – 1.10V
Read Next: Best Motherboard for AMD Ryzen 7 5800X PC Build
XPG Lancer DDR5 RGB 6000MHz 32GB RAM
Highest clock frequency DDR5 RAM
REASONS TO BUY
6000MHz clock frequency
on-module ECC
On-module voltage regulation
XMP 3.0 profiles
OUR SCORE
Value for money – 8.5/10
DESIGN – 9/10
PERFORMANCE – 9.5/10
Verdict – Rated at 6000MHz delivering great performance. It featuress onboard ECC which can automatically detect and correct memory errors
SPECIFICATIONS
| Height | 44mm |
| RGB | RGB lighting |
| Capacity | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Speed | 6000MHz |
| Voltage | 1.25V to 1.45V |
| Latency | CL38 |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
XPG Lancer is another high-end alternative to the G.Kill Trident Z5 reviewed above. It is one of the best performing RAMs coming with a clock frequency of 6000MHz. It has a latency of CL38 and timings of 38-38-38 at 1.25 volts to 1.45 volts at 6000MHz. To achieve the full 6000MHz clock speed XMP profiles need to be enabled.
The XPG Lancer supports Intel XMP 3.0 profiles through which overclocking to achieve clock frequencies above 6000MHz is possible and is easily attainable due to the higher 1.45V regulations. By default when installed in the system, the XPG Lancer runs at standard JEDEC profile which runs the RAM kit at 5200MHz/5600MHz. To get the rated 6000MHz XMP profile needs to be enabled in the BIOS.
One stand-out feature which makes it better than the G.skill Trident Z5 DDR5 RAM is that the XPG Lancer supports on-board ECC which stands for Error Correcting Code. ECC can automatically detect errors and correct these memory errors. It also fights against data corruption making it a perfect choice for professional workloads like AI, machine learning, video rendering, etc. Hence with on-die ECC functionality, the XPG Lancer DDR5 RAM is highly durable and reliable along with the same high-end performance while gaming.
The XPG Lancer is 40mm in height and 133.35mm in width. It has a 288 pin connector similar to all other DDR5 RAM kits and is not compatible with previous DDR4 motherboards. It has a premium build with aluminum heat spreaders which do a great job at keeping the PCB modules cool even when they are running at 6000MHz.
The XPG Lancer also has RGB lighting with can sync with other major software like Aura from Asus and iCUE from Corsair. Considering all the great features it offers like ECC which is not supported by any of the DDR5 RAM kits in this list makes the XPG Lancer a great choice for high-end gaming PCs with the Intel i9 12900K processors.
- Clock frequency – 6000MHz
- Timing – 40-40-40-77
- CAS Latency – 40
- Voltage – 1.25V to 1.45V (Overclocking)
Read Next: Best RAM for AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Builds
Kingston Fury Beast 32GB 5200MHz DDR5 RAM
Best DDR5 RAM for Advanced Overclocking
REASONS TO BUY
Advanced overclocking
on-module ECC
On-module voltage regulation
Advanced XMP 3.0 profiles
REASONS TO AVOID
No RGB
OUR SCORE
Value for money – 8.5/10
DESIGN – 7.5/10
PERFORMANCE – 9/10
Verdict – Along with onboard ECC and advanced XMP 3.0 profiles. It also features a programmable PMIC for advanced overclocking user customizable XMP profiles.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Height | 34mm |
| RGB | No RGB lighting |
| Capacity | 32GB, 64GB, 128GB |
| Memory Type | DDR5 |
| Speed | 4800MHz, 5600MHz, and 6000MHz |
| Voltage | 1.25V |
| Latency | CL40 |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty |
The Kingston fury beast DDR5 RAM is another high-end RAM that apart from great performance offers onboard ECC and automatic overclocking functionality based on load and temperature. These two features make the Kingston Fury a good option compared to other DDR5 RAM kits in this list.
The Kingston Fury is available in 4800MHz, 5600MHz, and 6000MHz clock frequency options. This like the XPG Lancer needs to be switched to an XMP 3.0 profile to achieve the rated 6000MHz clock frequency. The Kingston Fury Beast comes with advanced XMP 3.0 profiles that have pre-optimized timings, clock frequencies, and voltages for insane stable performance while overclocking. It also has programmable Power management ICs (internal circuits) to save user-made custom XMP profiles for overclocking.
This also supports onboard ECC just like the XPG Lancer DDR5 RAM which can automatically detect and correct errors and helps fight data corruption. Due to onboard ECC, the Kingston Fury Beast can sustain high performance even when overclocked. The new DDR5 RAMs bring double the banks and burst lengths along with two independent 32-bit sub-channels which together provide increased efficiency with twice the performance of DDR4 RAMs.
The Kingston Fury Beast is tested and approved by many major motherboard manufacturers. So upgrading to your preferred motherboards is super easy. It has a low profile design with a newly designed heat spreader which works brilliantly in removing heat away from those modules.
One drawback of the Kingston Fury Beast is the lack of RGB lighting. Apart from this, it supports onboard ECC advanced XMP profiles for overlocking all combined delivers exceptional performance. With programmable PMIC, custom user-made profiles are easy to save making overclocking super easy. The Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RAM is a great choice for users looking at advanced overclocking by creating custom XMP profiles to achieve ultimate performance while gaming.
- Clock frequency – 5200MHz
- Timing – 40-40-40-77
- CAS Latency – 40
- Voltage – 1.25V
Read Next: Best RAM for AMD Ryzen 9 5950X Builds