TechRadar Verdict
The Corsair Vengence DDR5 RAM is the perfect balance between performance and price, though it comes at the cost of aesthetics. On balance though, this is the best RAM kit you can buy if you’re looking for a reasonably priced build capable of current-gen performance.
Excellent performance
Great price
Good compatibility
Not the flashiest RAM
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Corsair Vengence DDR5: Two-minute review
While the Corsair Vengence DDR5 RAM kits might not look like much, they pack a powerful punch at an outstanding price that can’t be ignored, especially for those looking for cheaper components for a budget-to-midrange LGA 1700 build.
It can almost go toe-to-toe with some of thebest RAMout there, like theCorsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5, while cost-conscious features like low-priced kits, single-stick options, and newer, non-binary RAM modules like 24GB and 48GB make this a perfect workhorse DDR5 RAM no matter what build you’ve got planned.
In terms of design, the Vengence DDR5 module cuts a fairly low profile inside the case. Without any RGB lighting to draw attention, the lower height of the module compared to other brands or models makes it easy to miss, but it does come with a aluminum housing to protect the actual memory components inside, something more budget-oriented RAM kits leave exposed.
Some motherboards aren’t compatible with some modules under dual-channel configurations, while others will limit the speed of the DDR5 RAM when run in pairs, so needless to say it’s hard to give quantifiable data to demonstrate the Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5’s performance in a way that makes it comparable across different systems.
For this reason, we only benchmark a single DDR5 module to get comparable performance figures. This does mean that adding a second module will offer substantially better performance in real-world usage. We also only compare modules to other modules running at the same speed and memory profile (XMP/EXPO).
In terms of performance, the Corsair Vengence DDR5 has some seriously competitive numbers against other DDR5 RAM which is significantly more expensive. Starting at $54.99 / £54.99 (about AU$85) for a single 16GB module, this is arguably the best DDR5 RAM on the market by value.
Now you could pay a bit more and get Vengence RGB DDR modules as well, but those only come in kits of two or four, so you can’t get a single module. So if cost savings is your biggest consideration, then the Vengence DDR5 non-RGB kits are the way to go.
It’s also worth pointing out again that you can get the new non-binary RAM module kits (modules of 24GB and 48GB) in the Vengence DDR5 kits as well, something that can’t be said of the Dominator Platinum, or the Kingston Fury Beast lines. If you want a non-traditional setup with oodles of memory (up to 192GB with four 48GB DDR5 modules!), then the Corsair Vengence DDR5 is very hard to beat, whether it’s performance, price, or capacity options. Who needs RGB anyway?
Corsair Vengence DDR5: Price & availability
The MSRP for the Corsair Vengence DDR5 32GB (2 x 16GB) kit I’m testing is $109.99 / £104.99 / about AU$165, though you can get single modules of 16GB starting at just $54.99 / £54.99 (about AU$85).
Meanwhile, more expensive kits like the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 or the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5, both of which are 36% and 45% more expensive, respectively, perform on par or only slightly better than the Vengence kit, and in the case of the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 kit we tested, you don’t even get any RGB to go with it, so it’s not nearly as good a value as the Vengence kits.
Corsair Vengence DDR5: Specs
Should you buy Corsair Vengence DDR5 RAM?
Buy it if…
You’re on a tighter budgetWith single stick options and a low-priced 32GB kit to start, this is one of the best RAM kits you can get on a budget.
You want fantastic performanceCompared to the competition, the Vengence DDR5 holds its own very well, if not outperforming more expensive RAM.
You want a single module or non-binary configurationThis is one of the few DDR5 modules you can get right now that offer non-binary 24GB/48GB modules, and you can also pick up a single 16GB stick if you need one.
Don’t buy it if…
You want to show it offIf you’re looking to do a flashy build, this RAM is going to disappear amid all the RGB your other components might be running.
You want a super-budget RAM optionWhile cheap, you can’t get less than 16GB and the performance and design make it somewhat more expensive than the best cheap RAM out there.
Corsair Vengence DDR5: Also consider
If my Corsair Vengence DDR5 review has you considering different RAM kits, here are two that might better suit your needs.
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5The Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 RAM kits are among the best you can find on the market, and have made up an essential part of our test bench for years now. And with some of the fastest speeds around, you can’t go wrong with this RAM, assuming you can afford the higher cost of entry.
Read the fullCorsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 review
Kinston Fury Beast DDR5This line of DDR5 offers some of the best performance of any DDR5 out there, while also offering you the chance to pick up single modules ranging from 8GB to 32GB. It is slightly more expensive, though.
How I tested Corsair Vengence DDR5 RAM
I used the Corsair Vengence DDR5 kit as my main gaming and content creation RAM for several days in my home PC.
In addition to gaming, I edited photos, videos, and other illustrations inAdobePhotoshop, Premiere, and Illustrator. I also tested the RAM out using Lumion 12.5 to test its creative chops on CAD-like software.
In addition to years of computer science education and training, I have been a hardware reviewer for a number of years now, so I know how memory is supposed to perform at this level.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed May 2023
John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY.
Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.
You can find him online on Threads @johnloeffler.
Currently playing: Baldur’s Gate 3 (just like everyone else).
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