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Top 4 Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM To Buy In 2023 Review

Did you know that it’s just as important to invest in the best RAM as having the best processor and best graphics card? If you are determined to get the most out of your computer, especially when gaming, designing, or creating content, having enough RAM will give you the necessary performance boost.

It also keeps your computer from getting sluggish when running demanding programs or games. Even operating systems like Windows 10 or macOS Mojave require potent resources. You might have experienced slow performance when having 20 browser tabs open; this is due to not having enough or speedy enough RAM. Having the best RAM means the difference between a smooth computing experience and a frustrating one.

We managed to get our hands on some of the latest DDR4 SODIMM kits and tested them to see how much additional performance we could uncover. Was it worth it? Oh yes! So, here they are, the four best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM currently available.

So, let’s go through them and find the perfect RAM for your Laptop…

Top 4 Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM To Buy In 2023 Review

Top 4 Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM In 2023 Review

  1. CORSAIR Vengeance DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM Memory – Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM for Gamers
  2. Kingston Technology HyperX Impact – Best Premium DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM
  3. Patriot Viper Elite – Best Value DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM for the Money
  4. Timetec Hynix IC 4GB DDR4 – Best Budget DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM

1 CORSAIR Vengeance DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM Memory – Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM for Gamers

Corsair is one of the largest names in the world of RAM. And their Vengeance is intended to be one of the most daunting and most substantial laptop RAM kits you can get your hands on.

The kit exists of two separated 8GB modules for a total of 16GB RAM. Should you need more than 16GB for your laptop, you could buy the 32GB Vengeance Performance, which of course, would add to the cost. But if you can utilize that much space, you could even use a RAM disk, combining it with the 16GB RAM kit. The kit still stays true to its 260-pin nature, making it a DDR4 RAM.

No surprise there…

But it’s interesting to see the Vengeance turned into a laptop RAM since its enthusiastic styles almost always define the Vengeance series. They often include flashy LEDs or oversized cooling components, none of which are found here.

The Vengeance uses a standard SODIMM form factor. But more notably is that the RAM is clocked at 2400MHz, using latency timings configured to 16-16-16-39. The Vengeance SODIMM laptop RAM was designed primarily for 6th generation Intel processors but works almost equally well on both previous and newer generations.

Issue free… 

No BIOS configuration is necessary, and the auto-overclocking features will continue to work on your notebooks without any issues. There isn’t any particular configuration required at all to start taking advantage of the extra speed. Simply plug it in and start enjoying the difference.

Corsair is also famous for having some of the best warranties in the gaming industry, and some of their better equipment comes with decade long warranties. The Corsair Vengeance comes with a lifetime warranty and unlimited tech support.

Our verdict?

The Corsair Vengeance is a good RAM kit for laptops. It includes a lifetime warranty, but it doesn’t cover accidental damage, something to keep in mind—otherwise, a good solid RAM. The price is reasonable for a 16GB RAM. Outstanding performance and speed make this a perfect option for gamers.


CORSAIR Vengeance DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM Memory

Our rating:4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)

Pros

  • Great performance.

Cons

  • No cooling fans.
  • Limited overclock ability.

2 Kingston Technology HyperX Impact – Best Premium DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM

Another big name in the world of PC RAM is Kingston. But unlike the Vengeance kit, the Hyper X Impact is available in five different speed variations. If you have a speed limit on your board that you can’t surpass, for example, 2400MHZ, it doesn’t make any sense to get a faster RAM.

The HyperX Impact we tested is the 2x16GB 2400 DDR4 RAM. But even here, you can choose between different capacity options ranging from a single 8GB stick to 4x16GB kits.

Plug and play…

Similar to any good SODIMM RAM, the 32GB kit is plug and play. Plug it, and you are good to go, and no BIOS configuration or other setup is required. It’s also Intel XPM ready, making it possible to overclock with an i5 or i7 processor. If you try to overclock it manually, you might have to restart your computer once to let it know what’s going on, but this is a minor inconvenience.

If we are talking about aesthetics…

Each stick is pretty bland. Kingston at least went through the trouble of giving them a partial cover, so it doesn’t look like your handling a bare chip. Not that it matters since, unlike desktop RAM, where there is a chance that your RAM might be seen, this laptop RAM is neatly stuffed away in the laptop’s chassis. Like the Corsair, Kingston’s HyperX series include a lifetime warranty. And just like Corsair, it doesn’t cover accidental damage.

But is it the Best DDR4 SODIMM RAM for Laptops?

A great RAM kit for any enthusiast. Fast speeds and high performance make this one of the top choices for gamers all around the world. The price tag is pretty hefty, but you know you end up with great RAM from one of the leading manufactures. XMP ready and overclockable adds to the value.


Kingston Technology HyperX Impact

Our rating:4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)

Pros

  • Fast speeds.
  • XMP Ready.
  • Automatically overclockable.

Cons

  • Quite expensive.

3 Patriot Viper Elite – Best Value DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM for the Money

The Patriot Viper Elite is a high performing, single stick with 16GB DDR4 RAM. Although it’s available in up to 32GB dual-stick kits. Even though Patriot is pretty unknown compared to Corsair and Kingston, it’s one of the best choices for gaming laptops and other high-end systems, especially if you have limited slots on your laptop.

What else makes it unique?

It runs on 2666MHz, making it one of the fastest RAMs we tested. The Viper Elite is also XMP 2.0 ready and comes automatically overclocked out of the box.

It also comes with heat-spreaders, resulting in less wear and tear, as the heat is efficiently dissipated. However, due to the added thickness, these kits might not fit in your laptop, so make sure you check the compatibility before buying it. Another known issue is specification compatibility. You need to check this as well, as the kit might not be compatible with your laptop.

Our verdict?

Should you overcome the compatibility issues and somewhat high CAS latency, it’s one of the best RAM kits available for gamers and high-end users. High speeds and outstanding performance increase the computing experience of your laptop. It looks neat, and the price is reasonable — overall one of the best RAM kits we tested.


Patriot Viper Elite

Our rating:4.6 out of 5 stars (4.6 / 5)

Pros

  • Equipped with heat-spreaders.
  • XMP 2.0 ready.

Cons

  • Somewhat high CAS latency.
  • Might not fit some laptops due to the thickness.

4 Timetec Hynix IC 4GB DDR4 – Best Budget DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM

Last in our test is the TimeTec Hynix. Even though not as famous as Kingston, Hynix is quite close to them in the race of memory manufacturing. A lot of different RAM kits use their memory as well.

Popular amongst professionals…

The Hynix is popular among users that use their laptops for performing productivity tasks. These DDR4 kits are for professional users. Straight out of the box, it runs at a high speed of 2666Mhz. The TimeTec will give you the performance boost you need for a reasonable price. These kits also run on 1.14V instead of 1.2V, resulting in a higher efficiency, which leads to better battery life.

Unfortunately…

It’s not XMP ready, limiting overclocking possibilities. But like both Corsair and HyperX, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

We noticed that the RAM kit has a CAS latency of 19, which is pretty high compared to most other DDR4 Kits for laptops. It also has minimal compatibility, so you want to be 100% sure that you are buying it for the right device.

Our verdict?

The TimeTec Hynix is a decent choice to gain performance if your laptop is fully compatible with the RAM kit. It also offers lower power consumption, making them an eco-friendly choice. The price is low and makes it extremely affordable. It runs at high speed and is available up to 32GB.


Timetec Hynix IC 4GB DDR4

Our rating:4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)

Pros

  • Impressive speeds at 2666Mhz.
  • Extremely low voltage at 1.14V.

Cons

  • High CAS latency at 19.
  • Limited Compatibility.
  • Not XMP ready.

Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM Buyers Guide

No matter if you’re a programmer, gamer, content developer, or use your PC to access your email account, RAM can make an enormous difference in speed and performance. It’s crucial for people who have two or more windows open simultaneously.

But How Do You Choose The Best Laptop RAM?

Corsair Memory Kit 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 2400MHz SODIMM Memory

Fortunately, choosing laptop RAM isn’t much harder than picking any other type of RAM. Changing components inside your laptop might sound like an intimidating and challenging experience, but rest assured, you don’t need any unique expertise to install laptop RAM.

In most cases, it’s marginally more difficult than installing RAM into a desktop, which is about as tricky as connecting lego blocks. However, there are a few boxes you need to check before choosing a RAM kit to ensure you end up with what you expect. Let’s take a closer look…

How Much RAM?

First of all, ask yourself, how much is enough? An excellent way to estimate how much RAM you need is by looking at the system requirements of the programs you want to run. But if you can’t find out and don’t have the criteria in mind, there are a few thumb rules you can follow.

For instance, most average users need about 8GB of RAM. That is more than enough to essentially be able to play most games and operate any consumer-grade program. However, upgrading to 16GB helps in a couple of ways.

How Does More RAM Help?

For starters, you can keep more applications open. A streamer can simultaneously load their streaming software, the game they are playing, and a browser to watch their stream in real-time. Having all of these applications open eats a lot of RAM, but with 16GB, not even a power-streamer should encounter any limits.

Most people don’t need more than 16GB, but if you are doing development work, serious film or photo editing, or professional recording, you might need 32GB. Upgrading to 32GB is possible on most laptops. But keep in mind that in addition to your laptop having limited RAM slots, there is a limit of RAM quantity you can have inside your OS. Those limits are usually around 32GB, so you don’t have to overthink them.

Number Of Slots

You want to know how many slots you have as well. Most laptops are equipped with two slots, but some only have one slot. If you only have one slot, you will most likely end up paying more for your RAM since you can’t use your existing stick.

Usually, you can save a couple of bucks on a two-slot setup by only upgrading one chip. But for optimal speed, you want to keep both of the RAM chips identical or run on the same speed and latency timing.

Manufacturers

RAM kits are available from dozens of different brands, but most RAM is built using components that are constructed by three or four big manufacturers. It’s pretty complex to manufacture something like RAM, so these products’ underlying components usually originate from big brands like Samsung or Micron.

Nevertheless, it’s essential to pay attention to the name attached to the product. Because even if the chips are manufactured by Samsung or Micron, they most likely were assembled by someone else. And that someone is who’s responsible for your warranty. RAM’s failure rate isn’t very high, but it’s still worth choosing RAM with an excellent warranty included.

Form Factor And Speed

The most common form factor for laptop RAM is SODIMM. The SODIMM measures roughly 2.66 x 0.16 x 1.19 in. Since they are pretty small and compact, they are usually easy to shove into position. But you don’t have to bother about size issues if you choose a SODIMM laptop RAM.

However, a slightly more critical factor is the speed of the RAM. Faster RAM means it moves the information into the memory faster. Only by buying a DDR4 RAM, you are already moving data pretty quickly, so RAM speed doesn’t necessarily have a massive impact on most average tasks. Still, it’s significant in a few niches, especially for gamers and professionals.

Looking For More Superb Products For Al Of Your Laptop Needs?

HyperX Kingston Technology Impact 32GB Kit (2x16GB) 2400MHz DDR4 CL14 260-Pin SODIMM Laptop HX424S14IBK2/32

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So, What Is The Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM?

After thoroughly testing four of the best DDR4 SODIMM RAM for laptops and seeing each one’s benefits, we have concluded that the best one is the…

Kingston HyperX Impact 32GB DDR4

Even though it was quite expensive, it added to our laptop’s performance so that we couldn’t help but be impressed. Considering we tested the 2400MHz, it’s even more impressive. The RAM kit is available up to 3200MHz, which will further improve your computing experience. But even with the 2400, gaming was smooth, and we were able to stream without any issues.

Happy rapid computing!

About Paul S. Brunet

Known as the "Tech Lover", Paul is an expert of current and trending technology. Here at TinyGrab, he makes "tech" easy to understand for the average person.

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