Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM (2023 Updated)

Full-sized desktop PCs are generally easy to upgrade, and that’s a big reason they remain popular. Upgrading laptops, on the other hand, is notoriously difficult. The parts can be difficult to access, for one thing. You often need special tools just to take apart the case. Furthermore, you can’t use the same types of parts you’d use on a full-sized PC. Everything needs to be miniaturized.

One of the easier parts to upgrade is your RAM. Laptops use a special form factor called SODIMM, which is short for “Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module.” This RAM is just as capable as the ordinary DIMM RAM on your desktop computer. It’s just smaller, so it’s slim enough to fit into a laptop housing. Laptop RAM is also usually easy to access, at least compared to most other parts.

We’re about to review five of the best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM we could find. There are many details to go over. But if you’re in a hurry and just want the short and sweet version, here are the basics:

• The Corsair Vengeance Performance is capable of automatic overclocking with some types of notebook.
• The Kingston FURY Impact is slightly faster, and comes ready for Intel XMP and AMD Ryzen.
• The TEAMGROUP T-Force Zeus provides a blazing-fast CL16 latency with Intel XMP processors.
• The PNY XLR8 is another solid choice if you’re running an Intel laptop with XMP support.
• The Crucial SODIMM Laptop RAM is designed to provide top performance as well as backwards compatibility.

Of course, those are just the bare minimum facts. To truly understand how well each of these laptop RAM cards work, we’ll have to dig a bit deeper. Let’s take a closer look, and see what we find!

Best Overall: Corsair Vengeance Performance DDR4 SODIMM Memory Kit

Key features:

• Nine sizes from 1x 4GB to 2x 32GB.
• 2,666MHz to 4,000MHz clock speed.
• 18-19-19-39 latency.
• Automatic overclocking on some notebooks.

The Corsair Vengeance Performance DDR4 SODIMM Memory Kit is available in multiple configurations. To begin with, there are nine different capacities. We tried the 2x 16GB version, which has 32GB of RAM in total. But you can order as little as a single 4GB card or as large as a pair of 32GB cards, for a total of 64GB.

The standard version of the Corsair Vengeance RAM has a clock speed of 2,666MHz. That’s the most common clock speed these days, and has long been standard for DDR4 RAM. This version has a latency of 18CL, which is pretty brisk. We’re not saying it’s lightning fast, but it provides a good balance of speed and multitasking capability. There are faster variants, up to a maximum of 4,000MHz, although these drop off to 19 CL. Conversely, you can order the C10 version, which has lower latency but only a 1,600MHz clock speed. It all depends on what you’re trying to do.

One thing we really liked about this RAM is that it automatically overclocks on compatible laptops. This means that if you’ve got a newer system, you don’t even have to go into your BIOS. Your RAM will automatically spool up to the fastest speed supported by your processor.

As technology brands go, Corsair needs little introduction. They’re known for all kinds of high-quality equipment, including their rugged flash drive. It’s a burly, waterproof flash drive we just reviewed, with up to a 256GB capacity. And any time you’re looking at RAM, Corsair should be on your radar.

Best Runner-Up: Kingston FURY Impact DDR4 Laptop RAM

Key features:

• Four sizes from 1x 16GB to 2x 32GB.
• 3,200MHz or 2,666MHz clock speed.
• CL20 latency.
• Automatic overclocking on most notebooks.

The Kingston FURY Impact DDR4 Laptop RAM is available in a more limited number of selections. Once again, we went with the dual 16GB set. But you can also order a single 16GB stick, or single or dual 32GB RAM. In all honesty, more than dual 16GB RAM is overkill unless you’re editing long-form videos. But there’s nothing wrong with future-proofing your laptop with an absurd amount of RAM.

This RAM has 20CL latency. That’s a bit on the high end, but for most applications, you aren’t going to notice. The only time latency really becomes a big deal is when you’re gaming, where every millisecond counts. The standard version is capable of running at a clock rate of 3,200MHz. But you can order a slightly cheaper 2,666MHz variant if you want to save a few bucks.

You can squeeze more speed out of this RAM if you’re using it with the appropriate processor. When paired with an AMD Ryzen CPU or Intel XMP-ready system, it automatically overclocks. This will include pretty much any laptop that’s been released within the past couple of years.

Best Budget: TEAMGROUP T-Force Zeus DDR4 SODIMM Laptop Memory

Key features:

• Five sizes from 1x 8GB to 1x 32GB or 2x 16GB.
• 3,200MHz or 2,666MHz clock speed.
• 16CL or 19CL latency.
• Overclocking on Intel XMP laptops.

The TEAMGROUP T-Force Zeus DDR4 SODIMM Laptop Memory ships in five different capacities. The smallest is a single 8GB stick. The largest is either a single 32GB stick or a pair of dual 16GB sticks. As you probably guessed, we went with the dual 16GB sticks.

The 3,200MHz clock speed is impressive, as is the 16CL latency. However, these speeds are only supported on XMP-ready Intel laptops. If you’re running an AMD system or your Intel CPU isn’t XMP-ready, you’ll be somewhat more limited. The clock speed will drop to 2,666MHz, and the latency will increase to 19CL.

That said, you get the benefit of a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. That’s impressive for computer component, and should provide plenty of peace of mind.

Best for Gaming: PNY XLR8 Gaming Laptop RAM

Key features:

• Three sizes from 1x 8GB to 2x 16GB.
• 3,200MHz or 2,666MHz clock speed.
• 20CL latency.
• Overclocking on Intel XMP laptops.

The PNY XLR8 Gaming Laptop RAM is pretty straightforward. You can order a single 8GB stick, a single 16GB stick, or dual 16GB sticks. You can guess which one we tried out.

The 20CL latency is acceptable if not spectacular. However, performance is very fast at 3,200MHz. However, you’ll only get the maximum possible speed if you’re using a processor with XMP 2.0 technology. With an older processor or an AMD system, you’ll get a clock speed of 2,666MHz.

PNY backs their XLR8 RAM with a lifetime warranty. If there are any premature failures due to a manufacturer’s defect, you’ll be protected.

PNY is a well-known manufacturer of computer and gaming accessories. Not long ago, we reviewed their Best Portable Solid State USB Flash Drives. We were impressed with its performance and how easy it is to use. So when we found out they manufacture laptop RAM, we were eager to get a look.

Best Alternative: Crucial DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM

Key features:

• 15 sizes from 1x 4GB to 2x 16GB.
• 3,200MHz or 2,666MHz clock speed.
• 17CL latency.

The Crucial DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM is available in 15 different configurations. These range from a single 4GB stick to the dual 16GB sticks we tried. That said, a lot of the options are oddball kits like four 8GB sticks. There’s even a single 32GB stick that comes with a 1TB SSD drive. So if you’re building a new system, you’ll have some interesting options.

This RAM has only 17CL latency, which is lower than most DDR4 RAM out there. You can order it in two variant: 2,666MHz and 3,200MHz. It can make sense to order the slower version if you have an older laptop, but not always. The 3,200MHz RAM can downclock to 2,666MHz or 2,933MHz if that’s all your system supports. Then when you buy a new laptop, you can transfer it over and let it run at 3,200MHz.

Crucial has also built a couple of unique technologies into their RAM. To begin with, it’s more efficient, with 30% more bandwidth than many comparable RAM sticks. It also draws very little power – up to 40% less than many popular memory sticks.

What Makes the Best DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM?

Before we finish up, we should talk about what differentiates different RAM cards. Why might you choose to use one type of RAM rather than another? Here are a few things you should keep in mind when you’re shopping.

Quantity of Memory

The first consideration is how much RAM you’re getting. Barring getting the right type (DDR4, DDR5, etc.) this is the most important thing to think about. Ask yourself what you’re going to be doing with your laptop and how much RAM you need.

Are you only doing a little lightweight computing? In that case, 8GB should be plenty. For gaming or content creation, 16GB is going to give you much better performance. But if you’re going to upgrade, there’s really no reason to limit yourself. Upgrading to 32GB will future-proof your system and eliminate any memory-related bottlenecks. Having extra memory is also helpful if you’re a developer or if you edit large video files.

The Manufacturer

It’s not necessary to spring for brand-name RAM. But you should consult your motherboard’s list of supported vendors. Any DDR4 SODIMM RAM should work in any board. But if you choose RAM from the list of supported vendors, you’re less likely to run into any issues.

Speed and Latency

RAM speed is less important than you might expect. While higher clock speeds lead to marginally better performance, it’s rarely noticeable. The only time you’ll see a major difference is if you’re doing a lot of multitasking. Low latency is more of a concern, particularly if you’re gaming. If you can squeeze a few extra milliseconds out of your RAM, you’ll have less pop-in and shorter load times.

Which is the Best SODIMM Laptop RAM for You?

No matter how you cut it, these are all great RAM cards. But which one is the best of the bunch? A lot will depend on what other hardware you’re using it with. Here’s a short summary of what we’ve learned today.

We started out by looking at the Corsair Vengeance Performance DDR4 SODIMM Memory Kit. This kit is available in nine capacities and configurations, from 4GB to 64GB total. You also get a choice of different speeds and latencies, so you can optimize for your preferred purpose. Lower latencies are generally best for gaming, while faster speeds are better for multitasking. Either way, you’ll get even better speeds with automatic overclocking on most modern laptops. No need to mess around with your BIOS.

Second on our list was the Kingston FURY Impact DDR4 Laptop RAM. This RAM can be even faster if you’re using the right computer. It’s also available in the most common capacities, from a single 16GB card to dual 32GB. If you have a Ryzen or XMP-ready Intel processor, you’re looking at a solid choice of RAM.

After that, we checked out the TEAMGROUP T-Force Zeus DDR4 SODIMM Laptop Memory. This is a superb set of RAM sticks for XMP-ready laptops. You can get a 3,200MHz clock speed and an impressive 16CL latency. Even on non-XMP systems, the performance is pretty good. And with a lifetime warranty, you’re protected from any failures due to a manufacturer’s defect.

Fourth up was the PNY XLR8 Gaming Laptop RAM. This RAM is available in three different capacities, which helps to keep things system. Performance is optimized for XMP-ready laptops, with a clock speed of 3,200MHz. On other systems, you’ll still get a respectable 2,666MHz clock speed.

Last but not least, we reviewed the Crucial DDR4 SODIMM Laptop RAM. This RAM is very fast, with a 3,200MHz clock speed and only 17CL latency. It’s also very efficient, and doesn’t hog power like a lot of memory will. And to top things off, it comes in several varieties, including kits with other computer parts. This makes it a great choice for anyone building their own system.