If you will not go for a DDR4, at least you can go for the best DDR3 RAM the market has to offer today. This is because as everyone knows, those do not perform as great as their elder siblings, but you may still need them. That is most especially if you have your eyes on upgrading your old gaming system.
Because the reality of evolution is catching up with it, the price of DDR3 RAMs continue to drop, but that doesn’t mean that there are no tonnes of systems out there that make use of them. What is important is that those systems are very functional, and the RAMS are still very much in the competition since the performance between the DDR3 and the DDR4 is not big enough to cause a storm.
If what your Intel- or AMD-based system needs is a DDR3 RAM, getting the best for it most especially when upgrading can be a little challenging. This is not only because there are many with different sizes and they are almost all competing at almost the same price range.
The good news is that you don’t have to condemn yourself into having sleepless nights to get the best. All you need is to get a card that is has consistent performance, overclocking, latency, and a few other things.
For the size, an 8 GB DDR3 is pretty okay to run most PCs. That will sustain until you need crazy multitasking and things like that. Hence going higher than 8GB shouldn’t hurt anybody.
Best DDR3 RAM
Kingston HyperX FURY 16GB Kit (2x8GB) DDR3 RAM
A low profile RAM, the Kingston HyperX Fury is one of the most furious you would get out there, and because of that, you will expect that it gets the job done in an effective way. Just like most from Kingston.
One of the most sought-after card, this works very well in topping your speed when you need a crazy one for gaming.
With the looks and design of the sticks, it is very encouraging and enticing. That is not just because it comes in four colors; red, white, black, and blue. More so, it has a low profile and an asymmetric heatspreader that gets the job rightly done.
Looking at the performance proper, this is a very crazy one pumping things to 1866MHz. It has a cast latency that falls between CL9-CL11 and the voltage is very low starting at 1.35V. What is more is that it is very easy to overclock even if you are a novice.
Finally, there are cases of RAMs coming dead on arrival. You will hardly get that with the HypeeX Fury because Kingston has:
Pros
- Very good performance.
- Has low profile.
- Plug and play functionality.
- It has automatic overclocking.
- Offers a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- It is on the expensive side.
Verdict
Just as the name suggests, this is a fury. It is the one I will go for it if I am in need of one with crazy and easy performance as well as the one that has maintained its reputation for a long time. It is one that you should go for if consistency and reliability are what you need.
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR3 RAM for Gaming
Another ram that comes as a great one to go for is the G.Skill Ripjaws X Series which comes with performance on one hand and relative affordability on another. In a popularity contest, there are only a few in the DDR3 market that would pull it with this.
This doesn’t sound very right, but I don’t mind being the only one who doesn’t get too thrilled with the design of this. Not to get me wrong, it is good looking, just not as I would have loved for it to look.
Where I cannot complain is with the build of this card. It features a heat spreader that over the average gets the job done.
A dual channel RAM that comes overclock ready giving you a stock speed of 1333MHz and a Voltage of 1.50v. When overclocked, it can push you to 1600MHz with a latency of CAS 10 and a timing of 10-10-10-30.
Using its XMP configuration, you can even go on to achieve something more.
For compatibility, this moves with Intel LGA1155/LGA1156 and AMD AM3/Llano/AM3+ platforms.
Pros
- Reliable performance
- The price is good.
- Great build.
- You also get a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- Not the most stable on the list.
Verdict
As easy as it goes, this is my best DDR3 RAM for anyone who doesn’t want to spend too much and at the same time wants to get a performance to bet on. While it may not be the one to take you skywards in speed, it still does it in a great way.
See Also: DDR4 RAM: Review of 12 Great Memories Money Can Buy
Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 RAM
Many people would hop on anything that has corsair on it because of how easily the company has always kept to its own end of the bargain when it comes to performing components. With this memory, we didn’t pick it just for the name.
Designed with the third and fourth generation Intel users in mind, the Corsair Vengeance Pro may just be the best DDR3 RAM for someone that wants to bet on overclocking. It keeps in touch with what others in the vengeance line have maintained.
With a speed that rises to 2400MHz, the card has a latency of 11-13-13-31. This is as it has a voltage of 1.65V.
While the performance comes with vengeance, the looks do also come very aggressive with aluminium heat spreaders that keep you covered as regards heat management. The vengeance spreader performs very well.
As regards the consistency or stability of performance, it comes with the XMP 1.3 profile support which makes overclocking to be easily achieved.
See Also: Top DDR4 And DDR3 RAM Reviews
Straight out of the box, the performance of this card is still very encouraging. And yes, it is very beautiful and it comes with different color options.
Pros
- Has very good performance.
- It has good looks
- The vengeance spreader does very well in heat management.
- Easy and automatic overclocking thanks to its profile support.
- Offers a lifetime warranty.
Cons
- It is in the more expensive line.
Verdict
The vengeance is certainly one of the best when it comes to completeness. It has it when it comes to the design, performance, overclocking, and even heat management. While the pricing may be a problem for some, it is a wise bet.
Ballistix Sport 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3 RAM
The Ballistix Sport is my pick because it brings performance and price at an equilibrium. When it comes to the frequency, these are not necessarily the sticks, but they beat in terms of quality and wide compatibility.
A very low profile one, the memory is made of 2 4GB modules. Apart from this, the Ballistix Sport also has different other options that come with different capacities and frequencies. To the looks, this is not the one that will entice you with beauty. Instead, it is its low profile and thinness that it makes use of to gather all the necessary points that come with looks. And yes, as stated, it has great quality.
It also features a good heatsink that keeps your RAM cool even as it works under a heavy burden.
For the actual performance, this delivers a speed of up to 1600MHz, and a latency of CL9. For the timing you get, this gives 9-9-9-24. It has a voltage of 1.5v which of course is good.
Like others on the list, this also features the Intel XMP profile so that you can get to achieve easy configuration.
Pros
- It has excellent quality
- Good performance
- Has a low profile and is thin.
- Decent all-round specifications.
Cons
- It is not the most beautiful if beauty is your thing.
- Not the highest frequency.
Verdict
What you will come to see with this as earlier stated is that it is a very balanced kit. That is in terms of value and performance. What is more is that it is solid in build even as it is a low profile and thin one.
Patriot Viper 3 Series, Black Mamba, DDR3 8GB (2 x 4GB)
Another one that comes very performing is the Black Mamba which comes in the line of Patriot’s very popular Viper line. One thing that is unique in many ways.
Made of 2 4GB modules, this kit has performance on its side and at the same time it is not among those that are expensive.
With the looks, this kit has good looks and it is with heat spreader that is very functional. The thing though is that it is not among the slimmest you will see or even in the line of the low profile ones.
Looking at the performance, the Viper 3 delivers a 1600MHz and a latency of 9. For this piece at 1600MHZ, I would have loved to see it with a Voltage that goes below the 1.5V it ties around its waist. It has a very good heatsink that also has beauty to it.
Pros
- Very valuable.
- Has good performance and decent frequency.
- Comes with a unique design
- Functional heat shield.
Cons
- Somewhat bulky.
Verdict
In the line of affordability, this may just be the right pick. Its story, however, doesn’t just end with affordability as it also comes with decent performance that should get things running as they should.
Conclusion
The most important thing with getting the best DDR3 RAM is not only to get one that is great in almost every way possible but also to get one that will be compatible with your PC. This is even as important as getting one with good latency, great overclocking ability, and of course, low voltage.
Although the most popular that you would find are from Corsair and Kingston, that doesn’t mean that others from other companies don’t also function greatly. Interestingly, you will find out that most of them have almost the same specifications, but if you look closely enough as we did for this review, you will see some little differences. It is these differences that make the distinction between the best and others.
Useful Resources: