#1
Patriot Viper Steel DDR4 Desktop RAM
UDIMM Computer Memory Running at 4400 MHz (PC4-35200) at 1.45V
PVS416G440C9K
$130.00 for 2x 8 GB
People buying DDR4 Desktop RAM now are mostly getting 3200 MHz or 3600 MHz RAM with not too great latency profiles. These units generally cost around $100 for the higher end versions with heat spreading sheets.
Most RAM that's rated over 4000 MHz costs around $300-500/pack of 2x8GB. So when we found Patriot selling these units running at 4400 MHz for only $130, we just couldn't believe it. The increased performance over the lower end versions that run as slow as 2000 MHz is incomparable.
#2
Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 Desktop RAM
UDIMM RAM Running at 3600 MHz (PC4-28800) at 1.35V
CMK16GX4M2D3600C18
$70.00 for 2x 8 GB
If $130 is a little high, then buying Corsair Vengeance DDR4 RAM for your desktop is the second best option. You'll get 85% the performance as you would with our #1 pick, but you'll save a bundle and you'll get our favorite memory brand.
When we say Corsair Vengeance is our favorite, there's some very good reasons behind that. To start, there's the “Corsair” advantage for overclocking. Namely, since they are the most popular brand of RAM among enthusiasts, their forums are very active and there'll generally be someone who experienced your issue before you, and who posted the fix.
Another big point for Corsair is both the compatibility, where most issues have already been ironed out, but also the update of software. Since so many people use Corsair products, chip manufacturers keep compatibility with Vengeance memory units in mind more than any other brand.
#3
ADATA XPG Z1 DDR4 Desktop RAM
UDIMM RAM Running at 3000 MHz (PC4-24000) at 1.35V
AX4U300038G16-DRZ
$55.00 for 2x 8 GB
What if you want to upgrade your desktop on the cheap, and you want to push the price down as far as it can reasonably go? Then ADATA is for you.
Sure, there are some really cheap OLOy chips on the market which run a good $5-10 less than ADATA. But really those units don't seem worth it. For the most part they are running at a pathetically slow 2000 MHz. Second, they have latency issues that will make you severely disappointed.
3rd and most importantly, they aren't as well established or well known as XPG. With computer components most of us want to set it and forget it.
Last, the other big reason to go with XPG is that most of the cheaper options don't have the build quality you'll find in XPG. XPG offers very solid units that feel hefty in the hand. And that's because they use lots of copper and real aluminum for their heat dispersers. So why hassle over $5? If you want cheap, ADATA's XPG are as cheap as you should go.