AMD's Ryzen 7000 series of desktop processors (CPU) remains a tempting choice for any fans of Team Red, even after the launch of Ryzen 9000 chips. The Ryzen 7 options, including the 7800X3D and 7700X, are already in countless computers, and their current pricing, discounted thanks to their growing age, means that they won't stop anytime soon.
The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is one of the best CPUs on the market for gaming, all thanks to AMD's 3D V-Cache that enables a significant jump in performance in your favorite titles. The Ryzen 7 7700X we reviewed is a more affordable chip that will do a great job of gaming as well, but it's also often purchased for creative and design work where the extra 3D V-Cache doesn't make as much of a difference.
No matter the Ryzen 7 chip you have or plan to use in your PC, pairing it with the proper RAM is crucial to maximizing performance. The AM5 socket used by Ryzen 7000 only supports DDR5, and I've narrowed the picks further with only 6000MHz speeds, CL30 timing, and AMD EXPO overclocking compatibility.
Best overall
G.Skill's Trident Z5 NEO RGB is DDR5-6000 RAM with a CL30-38-38-96 timing, which is right in the sweet spot for these Ryzen 7 chips. The stylish modules have an aluminum heat spreader and a chunky RGB strip along the top that can be customized with the rest of your setup. AMD EXPO support makes for easy overclocking, and a 2x16GB kit costs less than you might think at about $113. This is the RAM I use in my AMD PC, and I have no complaints.
Also great
Not everyone wants RGB lighting on their memory, and G.Skill can accommodate. The Flare X5 DDR5-6000 RAM has CL30-38-38-96 timing for excellent performance, it has a low-profile design to better fit into tight builds, the flat black finish meshes with most other hardware, and it supports AMD EXPO overclocking. Two 16GB modules cost about $105.
Curve appeal
Corsair's Vengeance memory bucks the trend of rectangular modules with its tapered RGB strip that can be customized through Corsair's iCUE interface. The rest of the RAM is covered in an aluminum heat spreader for improved performance. The DDR5-6000MHz RAM has CL30-36-36-76 timings and support for AMD EXPO overclocking. A two-pack of 16GB modules costs about $123.
Premium pick
Corsair's Dominator Platinum DDR5-6000 RAM doesn't come cheap at about $165 for two 16GB modules, but its industrial design and top performance will appeal to plenty of enthusiasts. The 12 individual LEDs on each stick are covered in a metal strip, and the heat spreader covering the rest keeps it cool. The RAM has CL30-36-36-76 timings and it supports AMD EXPO for easy overclocking.
Royal treatment
G.Skill's Trident Z5 Royal Neo takes the stellar Z5 design with a shiny aluminum heat spreader (available in gold or silver colors) and adds a jeweled design for the customizable RGB strip along the top. The DDR5-6000MHz RAM has CL30-39-39-102 timings and it's compatible with AMD EXPO for overclocking. A kit with two 16GB modules costs about $160.
My favorite RAM for AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D and 7700X
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AMD's Ryzen 7 7800X3D is an amazing CPU for gamers, and its Ryzen 7 7700X sibling remains a top choice for creators and gamers who don't want to pay for the extra AMD 3D V-Cache. In our Ryzen 7 7800X3D review, Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson called it "the top pick for your next gaming CPU," and that remains true at least until AMD launches its Ryzen 9000 X3D chips based on Zen 5.
Both of the Ryzen 7 7000 chips will benefit greatly from DDR5-6000MHz RAM with low latency, which is what I've exclusively included in this roundup. My top pick is G.Skill's Trident Z5 Neo RGB RAM in a 2x16GB kit for about $113. It's the memory I use in my own AMD desktop build to blend RGB style with super performance.
G.Skill's Flare X5 RAM costs a bit less at about $105 for a 2x16GB kit, but it can often be found at a discount. It's great for more compact builds where there isn't much clearance above the RAM slots, and it retains relatively speedy CL30-38-38-96 timings.
Pricing climbs from here, but Corsair's Dominator Platinum at about $165 and G.Skill's Trident Z5 Royal Neo at about $160 represent the peak of style and performance.
Don't forget to look through our list of the best motherboards if you need a new one with an AM5 socket to go along with your Ryzen 7 7700X or Ryzen 7 7800X3D.
What is AMD EXPO and do I need it?
AMD's Extended Profiles for Overclocking (EXPO) feature is a tool that allows for quick and easy overclocking of your PC's memory. It comes baked into the best AM5 motherboards, and it's a feature I recommend watching out for when buying hardware.
Because processors have a limit to the RAM they support — in the case of the Ryzen 7000 chips featured here it's DDR5-5200MHz — overclocking is required to reach the advertised RAM speeds (like 6000MHz for the RAM I've selected in this roundup).
AMD has made the overclocking process as easy as possible with EXPO, usually only requiring a few clicks to activate the desired speed profile on your motherboard. Intel's XMP 3.0 is the same idea, except it's for Intel chips.
All of the DDR5-6000MHz RAM I've included here is compatible with AMD EXPO to make your shopping that much easier.
