AMD might have launched its new Ryzen 9000 desktop processors (CPU) based on the Zen 5 architecture, but the older Ryzen 7000 chips using Zen 4 remain top options thanks to similar performance and a lower price point.
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D is in fact the right choice for PC gamers until the Ryzen 9000 X3D chips launch; its 3D V-Cache significantly boosts performance in games. The Ryzen 9 7950X is a 16-core monster for creators available for around $500, and the performance difference compared to the 9950X is small enough that most people won't notice in everyday use. You can find more information in my Ryzen 9 9950X vs. Ryzen 9 7950X comparison.
Whether you opt for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D or the standard 7950X, pairing the right type of DDR5 is crucial to achieve the best results possible. I've included only options with a 6000MHz speed, CL30 timing, and AMD EXPO overclocking so that there's no question about compatibility and performance.
Best overall
This is the RAM that I use in my own AMD desktop build, and it's easy to recommend thanks to a sleek design, customizable RGB lighting, and strong performance. The DDR5-6000MHz RAM has CL30-38-38-96 timings and AMD EXPO support for easy overclocking, plus it's covered in an aluminum heat spreader. You can find a 2x16GB kit for about $113.
Premium pick
As the name suggests, Corsair's Dominator Platinum will crush performance and look good doing it. The DDR5-6000MHz RAM has CL30-36-36-76 timings, AMD EXPO support for overclocking, and 12 individual LEDs for pinpoint RGB configuration. The industrial design includes an aluminum heat spreader and a metal strip along the top. You can usually find a 2x16GB kit for about $164.
Deluxe aesthetic
Silver or gold finish heat spreaders, decadent bejeweled RGB strip, and stellar performance go into G.Skill's Trident Z5 Royal Neo. The DDR5-6000MHz RAM has CL30-39-39102 timing, it's compatible with AMD EXPO, and you can customize the lighting. A kit with two 16GB modules usually costs about $160.
Curved RGB
Corsair's DDR5-6000MHz Vengeance RGB RAM is another option I've used in the past to great effect. The RGB strip on top has a nice tapered look, and the detailed heat spreader adds nicely to the aesthetic. The RAM has CL30-36-36-76 timing and AMD EXPO compatibility for excellent performance. You can pick up a 2x16GB kit for about $123.
Compact design
Need some RAM without all the bulk? G.Skill's Flare X5 DDR5-6000 RAM scraps the RGB lighting and instead goes for a sleek metal design with low overhead clearance. It'll fit better into compact builds, and it offers CL-30-38-38-96 timings and AMD EXPO compatibility. Kits with two 16GB modules usually cost around $105.
Choosing the best RAM for your Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 7950X
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AMD's Ryzen 9 7950X3D and 7950X aren't going anywhere in the foreseeable future despite the launch of Ryzen 9000. The Zen 4 chips are more affordable than their Zen 5 counterparts, and they deliver similar performance.
Former Windows Central Senior Editor Rich Edmonds reviewed the Ryzen 9 7950X, remarking:
"There's plenty to love with AMD's Ryzen 7000 range of processors, and the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X and 7950X are incredible pieces of kit. If you're looking for unmatched multicore performance without going into Threadripper territory, these CPUs are about as good as you can get."
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D and the Ryzen 9 7950X can get the most out of DDR5-6000MHz RAM with CL30 timing and AMD EXPO compatibility, which is exactly what I've included here.
My top pick is G.Skill's Trident Z5 Neo RGB RAM. It's competitively priced, it performs very well, and it's the memory I've been using in my own AMD desktop builds for years. A kit with two 16GB modules costs about $113.
If you have more to spend, Corsair's Dominator Platinum is a great pick at about $164 for a 2x16GB kit. G.Skill's Trident Z5 Royal Neo also can't be dismissed thanks to its silver or gold finishes and bejeweled RGB strip. Even at about $160 for a 2x16GB kit, it'll be attractive to those who carefully design their PC.
Because these Ryzen 7000 CPUs require an AM5 socket, you might need a new motherboard if you've been running Ryzen 5000 so far. A list of our favorite motherboards can help you get the perfect hardware.
Do I need to worry about AMD EXPO?
EXPO stands for "Extended Profiles for Overclocking," and it's an AMD feature that allows you to hit memory speeds beyond what the CPU actually supports. Both the Ryzen 7 7950X3D and 7950X are listed as supporting up to DDR5-5200MHz, so to reach the 6000MHz speeds of the RAM included here you'll need to put EXPO into action.
EXPO comes built into most AM5 motherboards, but it's certainly something you'll want to confirm before buying. EXPO allows you to overclock your RAM with nothing more than a few clicks in your motherboard's BIOS, making it practically foolproof. Intel has a similar system with its XMP 3.0 overclocking profiles.
All of the RAM I've included here for the Ryzen 7 7950X3D and 7950X supports AMD EXPO.
