Top 10 Best RAM for Ryzen 5 2600 in 2023

If you’re one of those not paying attention to your RAMs game, then this is the moment you realize, that memory size isn’t the only thing enough to pick a RAM for. No, we’re not talking about beautifying through the RGBs but your Ryzen 2600 deserves better memory support. And your presence here proves that it lacks that.

So don’t worry we’ve tested multiple RAM kits compatible with the Ryzen 2600 to help you pick the performance you expect from your system. We found from our tests that the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum has the upper hand. Because, aside from its superior build quality and appealing design, it does not bind you and provides significant overclocking headroom.

Nobody can deny that everyone has different wants and needs. Therefore, we’ve also narrowed down some other options that may be better for you. So let’s get started.

The Top 10 Picks of Compatible RAMs for Ryzen 2600

IMAGE	PRODUCT	RATING	PRICE
Overall best	Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 16GB (2x8GB) Latency: CL16 RGB: No Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3200 MHz	9.9	View on Amazon
Budget Friendly	G.Skill Trident Z Neo Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) Latency: CL16 RGB: No Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz	9.8	View on Amazon
RGB RAM	Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 X 8GB) Latency: CL16 RGB: Yes Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz	9.3	View on Amazon
	G.Skill RipJaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) Latency: CL18 RGB: No Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz	9.5	View on Amazon
	Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4 Latency: CL16 RGB: Yes Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3200 MHz	9.7	View on Amazon
	Crucial Ballistix RGB 3600 MHz DDR4 DRAM Latency: CL16 RGB: Yes Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3600 MHz	9.5	View on Amazon
	XPG DDR4 D60G RGB 16GB (2x8GB) Latency: CL16 RGB: No Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3000 MHz	9.6	View on Amazon
	TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 16GB Kit (2x8GB) Latency: CL16 RGB: No Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3000 MHz	9.7	View on Amazon
Bang for the Buck	XPG Z1 DDR4 3000MHz (PC4 24000) 16GB Latency: CL16 RGB: No Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3000 MHz	9.5	View on Amazon
	TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR4 16GB (2x8GB) Latency: CL16 RGB: Yes Technology: DDR4 Memory Speed: 3000 MHz	9.7	View on Amazon

How We Did the Test?

To begin the tests, some of our team members used their gaming skills to identify the most capable RAMs compatible with the AMD Ryzen 2600 system. We initially chose 19 selections to bring to the table for testing and selection. However, after testing, we came up with a list of ten recommendations that looked to be suitable for various users. We tested these RAM kits using the following methods.

Check out our Best Ram For Ryzen 3800x

Build Quality

First and foremost, we examined the build quality of our chosen products. We evaluated their build material, design, component quality, and heat handling capacity right out of the box. We made certain that our RAM kits are reliable enough to withstand any usage scenario.

Performance

After assessing the RAM kit’s quality, we plugged it in to see how it performed. We took notes on everything, from RAM installation to performance during our testing. We ran benchmark tests and memory tests to get a better idea of overall performance before and after BIOS tuning.

Pricing

We assessed the pricing factor of each RAM kit based on the results of build quality and performance testing. We also assessed the value of each RAM kit in terms of performance, quality, and other additional features.

The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR4 RAM kit is designed for high-performance AMD DDR4 systems. With 16GB of memory, a speed of 3200MHz, and low latency, this RAM kit delivers exceptional performance for demanding applications. The stunning RGB lighting with multiple zones and customizable lighting profiles adds an attractive aesthetic touch to any build.

Now, we discuss the design of the product. One of the most popular characteristics of CORSAIR Dominator Platinum is that it uses premium-quality heat-spreaders. The heat-spreaders of the sticks are black in color and are quite tall; have RGB lighting that can be seen from the top of the sticks as well as the sides of the sticks.

The sticks support the CORSAIR iCUE software application and you can customize the RGB lighting of the sticks using this software application. There is a total of 12 addressable RGB zones in the sticks and the lighting of the sticks is quite bright as well. Now, coming to the specifications of the RAM kit, this particular RAM kit comes with two sticks of 8 GB each, making the total RAM capacity 16 GB, and the frequency of the RAM kits is 3200 MHz, although the high-end kits have a frequency of as much as 4800 MHz.

The latency of this RAM kit is CL16 but since this is quite a high-end RAM kit, you can overclock the frequency of the RAM kit and make the timings of the sticks tighter as well. We used our benchmarking program to measure performance throughout testing, and the Corsair Dominator Platinum stood out with its incredibly fast performance.

We ran high-end games like Apex Legend at the stock clock rate of 3600 MHz and tracked performance throughout the session. With smoother and faster frame rates, the Corsair Dominator Platinum improved our gaming experience.

The next RAM kit on the list is G.Skill Trident Z Neo Series 32GB DDR4 and this RAM kit is supremely competitive to CORSAIR Dominator Platinum in performance. The price of this RAM kit is although less than the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum RGB RAM kit, however, the price is still higher than other popular RAM kits in the market.

The design of this RAM kit is even better than the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum RGB RAM kit, whether you talk about RGB lighting or the design of the heat-spreaders. The heat spreaders are sharp in shape, having a few cut-outs at the top. This RAM kit is a bit different from the original Trident Z series RAM sticks, as it provides both white and black-colored areas. The contrast looks pleasing and the RGB lighting looks amazingly beautiful as well. 

The performance of this RAM stick is higher than the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum kit. There are two sticks of 8 GB each, making a total of 16 GB where the frequency of the RAM kits is 3600 MHz, making a difference of 12.5%. 

The latency of the sticks is the best on the list too, at CL16, making it the fastest RAM kit on the list. Some people have been able to overclock this kit to 3800 MHz while keeping the latency under CL16. This ultimately attractive RAM kit performed admirably, finishing as a close second to our top pick, the Corsair Dominator Platinum.

During the testing process, we played the same games and used benchmark software to track their performance. When compared to our top pick, it also performed similarly fast at a stock XMP setting of 3600 MHz, with only a 5% difference. This does not detract from the fact that it is also aesthetically appealing.

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX is another famous RAM kit from the company and it is more popular than the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum due to its lower price than the latter. The design of this RAM kit is although a lot inferior to the Dominator Platinum, however, some people just want high performance without any kind of additional bells and whistles. 

This kit is available in four colors; black, blue, white, and red. The white stick is going to be great for those people who have RGB lighting in their cases, although many gamers prefer red-colored components for their gaming rig. The heat-spreaders of the RAM sticks are made of aluminum and this greatly enhances the thermal performance of the sticks, although the performance is lower than the likes of Dominator Platinum.

The frequency of this RAM stick is the same as that of the Trident Z Neo RAM stick and that makes their performance quite identical. The memory timing is slightly higher though, as this kit has a latency of CL18.  The overall performance of this stick is significantly better than sticks having frequency around 3000 MHz or 3200 MHz.

What if the top slots have already been filled?

The Corsair Vengeance LPX kit is known for its performance stability and does not need to reach the top. This RAM kit played great in all tests, including Aida64, 3DMark, and games. Be it reasonable benchmark scores indicating its high stability or clearly enhanced frame rates throughout gaming sessions. We could even overclock it to 3200 MHz, which boosted performance even further.

G.Skill RipJaws V series RAM kit is a counterpart of the CORSAIR Vengeance LPX RAM kit, just like the CORSAIR Vengeance Pro RGB is a counterpart of the G.SKILL Trident Z series RAM kit. There is no RGB lighting in the sticks but the design of the sticks is quite different than the CORSAIR Vengeance LPX kit. This RAM kit is also available in four colors; silver, black, red, and blue. The silver-colored sticks look really elegant and stand out in the system.

The performance of this RAM kit is similar to the CORSAIR Vengeance LPX as well. This is due to the frequency of the sticks, which is 3600 MHz. The price of these sticks is a bit higher than Vengeance LPX, however, the cooling performance is better due to the usage of larger heat spreaders.

The latency of the RAM kits is CL18, which can be improved through overclocking, however, this cannot be guaranteed. It can be said for sure that the cooling solution of this RAM kit is more than enough to handle the rigorous effects of overclocking. With its inexpensive price and high quality, the G.Skill also provides a good performance.

We tested it at stock 2133 MHz with Aida64 and MemTest86, and it received excellent results and passed all tests with zero errors. It ran much better after being overclocked to 3600 MHz, with heat spreaders performing their job and properly maintaining the temperature.

Read More: Best RAM for Ryzen 2700x

We have talked about the Vengeance LPX above that focusing mainly on the performance part, however, CORSAIR Vengeance RGB PRO is a RAM kit that tries to tackle this problem and provides a mighty aesthetic as well. CORSAIR Vengeance RGB PRO is among the latest RGB kits from the company and comes with RGB lighting that reeks from the milky top, just like the Trident Z RAM sticks.

The heat-spreaders have a matte look on them, which is again a bit similar to the brushed texture of the Trident Z sticks. This RAM kit comes with two sticks of 16 GB each, which makes a total of 32 GB of capacity. This much capacity is great for those people who want to do more than gaming and use the computer for video editing, programming, or other purposes that require high RAM capacity.

The overall price of the kit is a lot less than what you would pay for two 16 GB CORSAIR Vengeance RGB PRO kits and that is what makes this RAM kit quite special. The performance of this RAM kit is less than the above two RAM kits but this is because it has a lower frequency of 3200 MHz, although the latency of the kit is better, at CL16. At such a competitive price, you’ll rarely get to see modern aesthetics combined with a beast of performance.

When tested, we got the Corsair Vengeance RGB kit easily installed with instant detection by the system and need of troubleshooting. Even though it performed well at its stock settings, we overclocked it to 3200 MHz to see its full potential and it took us for a fast ride. Also, the RGB was easily manageable through the Corsair iCUE software, making everything SYNC-enabled.

Crucial has clearly made its name in the memory industry and since its RAM kits are usually priced lower than other RAM kits, there exists an opportunity for budget customers. The design of the heat spreaders is pretty simple, although the RGB lighting does increase the potential of the looks. 

The height of the sticks is a lot lower than other high-end sticks, which might affect the cooling performance of this kit. This is great news for those people though who are looking to get sticks with low height so that they can use dual-tower coolers with the sticks. The performance of this RAM kit is the same as that of the Trident Z Neo RAM kit, making this RAM kit also the fastest RAM kit on the list.

The frequency of the RAM kits is 3600 MHz while the latency of the sticks is low at CL16 as well. When we brought it to the table for a test, it easily clicked into the slots in a go with instant detection by our system. RGBs went on with default rainbow-colored settings. We edited it with its supported MSI’s MysticLight software with no issues. Its stock XMP settings were smooth and fast but we still had to overclock it to its full potential.

On heading to the BIOS and editing XMP profile, we overclocked it to 3600 MHz, delivering an amazing fast performance with CL16 latency. If you are not very well-versed in overclocking and want high-speed memory that you just install and start playing games, this RAM kit is best for you and unless you want something with better cooling performance, you won’t need the likes of the Trident Z Neo RAM kit.

To be honest, this is the only RAM kit on the list, which has the potential to beat the likes of the G.Skill Trident Z Neo line-up when it comes to aesthetics and all of this is due to the extensive use of diffused RGB lighting in the sticks. The detail of the sticks at the top feels elegant and the crystal-like structure on the sides makes them very premium. There is a gray-colored part at the center of the sides, which separates the RGB lighting at the top from the bottom.

This particular RAM kit is not so good in performance and has a frequency of 3000 MHz with a latency of CL16. These models are, however, available in higher frequencies as well and come at a higher price. The XPG D60G has a unique appearance with its completely modern design but the performance was slightly reduced as compared to the aforementioned kits.

In our tests, it easily got detected in one go. The default 3200 MHz of performance with CL16 latency was quite smooth and fast with XMP profiles enabled. The memory kit passed the tests with zero errors. And the RGB settings were also simple to configure through ASUS Aura software.

XPG D60G RGB 16GB DDR4 is surely the best-looking RAM kit on the list but it is not even close to the best when it comes to performance. Thus, it is great for those who want to make a dazzling gaming rig and can compromise on the performance a little bit.

TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z is among the cheapest DDR4 RAM kits in the market, making it special. There is no RGB lighting in this kit and the heat spreaders of the sticks are pretty average-looking as well. The sticks are available in red and gray color and have a slightly higher height than bare RAM sticks. That is why the cooling performance of this RAM kit is the lowest on the list.

The performance of this RAM kit is similar to the XPG D60G RAM kit due to the same frequency and latency, i.e. 3000 MHz and CL16, which is fine at this price and you get what you pay for. It’s safe to say that the red color usage with this RAM kit’s build indicates the fierce performance. When used in our tests, we saw it performing really well at stock 2400 MHz frequency and CL16 memory timings but when we opted to overclock it.

We head to the BIOS and set the XMP profile to number two which increased the memory rate to 2933 MHz with CL16 frequency at 1.3V. This yield a super fast and stable memory performance proving it to be a perfect deal. TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z is best for those people who just want to get a running system with average performance. Such people don’t care about the overclocking features or the aesthetics and since this RAM kit is not so good in that, it comes at a super-cheap price.

XPG Z1 DDR4 RAM kit is the budget model from ADATA and is unlike the XPG D60G, it does not come with RGB lighting and has average looks. The cooling performance of this RAM kit is better than the TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z due to larger heat sinks. The performance of this kit is also the same as that of the D60G or the Vulcan Z due to low frequency, however, this kit has a better chance of achieving higher frequencies due to the presence of better heat-spreaders than that of the Vulcan Z.

This RAM kit runs at a low frequency of 3000 MHz and has a latency of CL16. The price of this RAM kit is a bit higher than that of the Vulcan Z kit but that pays in the cooling performance, which is why unless you overclock this RAM kit, there is going to be no difference in the performance of these two RAM kits. The XPG Z1 RAM kit, which has a solid aluminum alloy build appearance yet aggressive heat spreaders, also has an aggressive and powerful performance.

When tested, the RAM was immediately detected by the CPU and improved memory usage experience thanks to its stock 3000 MHz frequency and CL16 latency. We changed the XMP settings in BIOS to get 3600 MHz of excellent memory rate at the same latency after overclocking it to reveal its full potential. We were able to test this large memory through stable performance in games once the RAM passed the MemTest64 tests with no issues.

The T-Force Delta had a loud round of applause from gamers for its curved luminous top with a bright RGB strip. We won’t waste time discussing the packaging, but we liked that we didn’t require scissors to open it. The aluminum alloy design of the RAM modules provided them a premium feel when held. Minimalist asymmetric heat spreaders are also present to eliminate the extra heat generated during extended usage sessions.

Two 8 GB RAM modules emit beautiful, bright light from the top. You may control these light settings with applications such as ASUS AURA Sync, MSI Mystic Light, Razer Chroma RGB, and others. The RAM kit runs at 3200 MHz, which means it can handle 3.2 billion instructions per second. It achieves the ideal RAM timing for your intense multitasking with a latency of CL16.

We attempted to test it by plugging in both RAM modules. The RGB lights did not turn on instantly and took around five seconds to do so. When we used the system, we saw a significant improvement in performance over our standard RAM kit. We tested popular AAA games and found that they all performed smoothly and at higher frame rates.

Another plus is that we didn’t have to manually overclock it from the bios; it’s a plug-and-play game. So, for your intensive usage, we believe this strong and stylish powerful kit is ideal for driving seats.

How To Select The Best RAM Kit For Ryzen 2600?

We have listed a lot of powerful RAM kits on the list but to find the best possible RAM kit for your system, you will have to check these things in a RAM kit.

Speed

The biggest factor that governs the performance of a RAM kit is its speed, which is also known as frequency. The frequency of a RAM kit is expressed in MHz and usually, DDR4 RAM kits have a frequency of around 2100 MHz to 5000 MHz. 

The RAM kits that we have listed here have a frequency of around 3000 to 3600 MHz, where the Trident Z Neo RAM kit and the Crucial Ballistix RGB RAM kit are at the top with a frequency of 3600 MHz while the XPG D60G, Vulcan Z, and XPG Z1 have the lowest frequency of 3000 MHz. 

Overall, if you are interested in enhancing the performance of the Ryzen 5 2600, you should go for a high-frequency kit but if you have a subpar graphics card, you might not need anything above 3000 MHz.

Latency

The latency of a RAM kit is also a very important factor in determining its performance of a RAM kit and the lower the latency is the faster will be the response rate of the RAM kit, thus increasing the throughput of a RAM kit.

Usually, most of the RAM kits today have a latency around CL16 while some high-end sticks have a latency around CL18, which is due to the high frequency of the sticks and can be reduced by overclocking in order to gain better performance.

Quality of Heat-spreaders

The quality of heat spreaders plays an important role in the thermal performance of a RAM kit and high-quality heat spreaders have a lot of cut-outs or vents for airflow and are also larger in size than cheaper alternatives.

For someone who is not interested in overclocking the RAM kits, this holds little value but for someone who wants to maximize the performance of their system by overclocking the RAM kits to the fullest, high-quality heat-spreaders are an absolute must.

Design and Looks

The design and looks of a RAM kit have nothing to do with performance, but it would be a shame if you pair a cheap-looking RAM kit with a gaming rig that has RGB lighting inside along with a tempered-glass panel on the side.

A lot of RAM kits these days provide RGB lighting in unique ways and not only that, such kits support the motherboard functionalities for the synchronization of the LED lights as well, such as ASUS AuraSync, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, etc.

Value For Money

Value for money is something that everyone looks in their purchases. Some RAM kits offer great performance but also come at a high price, which makes them out of the list of some people. 

On the other hand, some RAM kits are really cheap but their performance is not satisfactory for various workloads. Meanwhile, some RAM kits have a sweet spot and offer impressive performance while being considerably cheaper than high-end RAM kits.

An example of such a RAM kit on the list is the CORSAIR Vengeance LPX kit or Crucial Ballistix RGB kit where you get high performance while these RAM kits are a lot cheaper than the likes of Dominator Platinum RGB or Trident Z Neo series RAM kits.

Conclusion

With the Ryzen 2600 being an older generation system, its performance mainly relies on memory. So choosing a suitable supporting hand for your system shouldn’t go wrong. For some, it can be a snap to decide, but for other non-technical peeps, we understand RAMs can be a pain to shop. Therefore, we took it on ourselves and tested quite a number of options compatible with Ryzen 2600 systems. We concluded that the CORSAIR Dominator Platinum snatches the crown for its top-quality performance, reliable design, and aesthetics.