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mercredi 19 octobre 2022

How to install Android 12 and 12L on Google Pixel and other Android devices

It’s that time of year again! Android 12, i.e. the next major release of Android is now available via stable channel. Google has also started rolling out Android 12L as a feature drop that brings several optimizations and improvements for large screen devices. For lucky owners of the Google Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, or Pixel 6 Pro, you’ll be among the first users to see what new OS update has to offer.

If you have any of the aforementioned Pixel smartphones running and older stable build and wondering how you can install Android 12 or 12L, just scroll down as we have a tutorial ready for you. Keep in mind that Google will be providing an incremental OTA for existing beta users to move to the stable release, but they can also opt for a manual flashing. You will need a PC/Mac with ADB and Fastboot installed to successfully execute the installation process, once you have downloaded the relevant Android 12 release packages.

Alongside supported Google Pixel devices, Android 12/12L is also made available in the form of a GSI that can be flashed on a much wider range of devices. OEMs have joined in on the party as well, and you can flash Beta 1 on the following phones:

Warning: The updates are intended for developers only, so don’t install them on your daily-driver. These builds are early releases and contain bugs and other system instabilities. Even if the flashing process doesn’t necessarily wipe your device, it is highly recommended that you back up your data before proceeding. Users are advised to exercise caution.

The three methods to install the update are:

For supported Google Pixels: Sideload Android 12/12L via Recovery and ADB
For supported Google Pixels: Flashing full Factory Image via Fastboot
Any Project Treble-compatible Android device: Install Android 12/12L GSI

Method 1: Sideload Android 12/12L via Recovery and ADB

To install the stable build, you need to sideload the appropriate OTA package for your device from Recovery through ADB. This method will also work for Google Pixel devices with a locked bootloader.

Download the update .zip file on your computer from here. For convenience, you can rename this file to a simpler name and place the file in the directory where ADB is located on your computer.
Optional but recommended: Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file you have downloaded to ensure that the file has been downloaded completely and correctly.
Enable USB Debugging on your phone — Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap “Build Number” 7 times, (optionally) enter your pattern, PIN or password to enable Developer Options, and then navigate to Settings > Developer Options > Enable “USB Debugging”.
Connect your phone to your computer. Authorize your computer connection on your phone when the prompt comes up on your phone, if this is the first time you are connecting with this ADB computer.
On your computer, run the command:
```
adb reboot recovery
```
You should see “No command” on your phone screen. Now press and hold the Power button of your phone. While you hold Power, press the Volume Up button and let go of both buttons quickly. You should the Android recovery menu.
Select the option Apply Update from ADB from the recovery menu.
On your phone, select the option “Apply Update from ADB”
On your computer, run the command:
```
adb devices
```
This should return a device serial with the “sideload” next to its name, indicating that your device is connected to the computer in sideload mode.
On your computer, run the command:
```
adb sideload "filename".zip
```
Where “filename” is to be replaced with the name of the file downloaded in Step 1
The update should install on your phone. Once the installation is complete, choose “Reboot system now” on your phone to reboot into Android 12.

Method 2: Flashing full Factory Image via Fastboot

If you have an unlocked bootloader on a Google Pixel device, you need to flash the full factory image of the Android 12 or 12L via Fastboot. Usually, this is done through a flash-all.sh or flash-all.bat script file that is included in the downloaded file, but its default configuration also wipes the device completely. You can, however, retain your data by deleting the “-w” wipe attribute from the command within the script.

Download the factory image .zip file on your computer from here.
Optional but recommended: Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file you have downloaded to ensure that the file has been downloaded completely and correctly.
Extract the .zip file, and copy and paste the resultant files onto your ADB and fastboot folder on your computer for convenience.
Optional: The resultant files would contain a flash-all.sh or flash-all.bat script file. Using a text editor, open the flash-all.sh if you’re on macOS/Linux or the flash-all.bat script file if you’re on Windows. Find and remove/delete the -w flag in the fastboot update command. This will skip the data wipe for your phone. To avoid compatibility issues, a data wipe is recommended though.
Enable USB Debugging on your phone — Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap “Build Number” 7 times, (optionally) enter your pattern, PIN or password to enable Developer Options, and then navigate to Settings > Developer Options > Enable “USB Debugging”.
Connect your phone to your computer. Authorize your computer connection on your phone when the prompt comes up on your phone, if this is the first time you are connecting with this ADB computer.
On your computer, run:
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
This will reboot your phone into Fastboot mode.
On your Mac/Linux PC, run:
```
flash-all
```
This command executes the flash-all.sh script file, which will then install the necessary bootloader, baseband firmware, and operating system. If you are on Windows, you can simply double click the flash-all.bat file.
Once the script finishes, your device will reboot into the new OS.

Method 3: Install Android 12/12L GSI

Even if you don’t own a compatible Pixel smartphone, you can still install Google’s official GSI binaries to test Android 12 or 12L, provided your device is compatible with Project Treble. You also need an unlocked bootloader. The last thing that we need to say is that flashing a GSI will require you to factory reset your device, so be sure you’re prepared to lose app data before you proceed with this! We recommend you make an off-device backup (such as on your PC or an SD Card) in case anything goes wrong.

Download links for the official Android 12/12L Beta GSIs can be found here. Google has yet to publish GSIs based on the stable release. You should download the appropriate version based on your device’s architecture. To see which architecture your device has, run the following command:
```
adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi
```
Optional but recommended: Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file you have downloaded to ensure that the file has been downloaded completely and correctly.
Extract the .zip file, and copy and paste the resultant files (system.img and vbmeta.img) onto your ADB and fastboot folder on your computer for convenience.
Enable USB Debugging on your phone — Go to Settings > About Phone > Tap “Build Number” 7 times, (optionally) enter your pattern, PIN or password to enable Developer Options, and then navigate to Settings > Developer Options > Enable “USB Debugging”.
Connect your phone to your computer. Authorize your computer connection on your phone when the prompt comes up on your phone, if this is the first time you are connecting with this ADB computer.
On your computer, run:
```
adb reboot bootloader
```
This will reboot your phone into Fastboot mode.
As mentioned earlier, the bootloader of the target device must be unlocked beforehand.
Next, we need to disable Android Verified Boot (AVB). To do that, run the following command:
```
fastboot flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
```
Optional but recommended: Enter the following to wipe the system partition:
```
fastboot erase system
```
Flash the Android 12/12L GSI:
```
fastboot flash system system.img
```
Allow the image to flash, it could take a few minutes. Once that’s done, wipe the userdata partition:
```
fastboot -w
```
Finally, reboot your device:
```
fastboot reboot
```
Hopefully, your device should boot into the new build of Android.

Be sure to follow our Android 12 and Android 12L tags for all the latest news on the new Android version!

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Google is reportedly bolstering its hardware division by shifting resources away from its Assistant

Google has warned employees about impending changes for months, and it has more recently started cutting costs across the company. In September, the firm canceled projects and began winding down its internal incubation project Area 120, and perhaps the biggest story was it shutting down Stadia, its online game streaming service. While more changes are undoubtedly on the horizon, a new report states that Google is shifting its strategy so that it can double down on its hardware division.

The Information by way of Ars Technica reports that while there have been sizeable cuts within the company, but it looks like most of the hardware divisions are safe. In fact, Google has recognized that the tide is turning in the Android market, with even its top competitor, Samsung, slowly losing market share to Apple. Furthermore, Google thinks that it can occupy this space by leveraging its own hardware and doubling down on its Pixel hardware lineup.

Apparently, in order to accomplish this, the firm will shift labor from non-Google devices to focus more on its own products. As for what areas are seeing shifts internally, the report states that there might be adjustments with staff working on Google TV, reassigning them to work on Wear OS and the Pixel Tablet. Furthermore, the report also seems to discuss cuts to teams working on Google Assistant for devices such as TVs, headphones, speakers, and more. As stated before, the bulk of the change will have to do with third-party manufacturers of these kinds of devices.

While this certainly looks bad for manufacturers, some will apparently be supported, like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. Unfortunately, that’s a really small number when compared to all of the manufacturers around the world that produce Android products. Of course, these are just reports, so it remains to be seen whether we will see the ramifications of these actions in the near future.

Source: The Information
Via: Ars Technica

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mardi 18 octobre 2022

Netflix eyes cloud gaming service, opens new game studio

Today, Netflix announced its quarterly earnings, and the results were actually pretty impressive. The company has made a turnaround, exceeding its goals, adding more subscribers, and also generating more revenue. While it looks to the future, the company has started to make new moves, as it will debut a new ad-supported tier in November, and it will also be committing more to its gaming segment with plans to bring even more titles to the platform. Apparently, the company has plans to dive even deeper into gaming, announcing during the TechCrunch Disrupt conference that it was looking at cloud gaming and, most surprising, that it was opening up a new game studio.

During the TechCrunch Disrupt, Nike Verdu, who is the VP of Gaming at Netflix, shared that the company was “seriously” looking at offering a cloud gaming service. While most companies currently offer the service as a standalone product, if Netflix were to offer such a service, it would be part of the current subscription service, or as Verdu put it, a “value-add.” Competitors like Amazon have already started dabbling, with it currently offering Luna, its own game streaming service. Just recently, Google announced it would shut down its service because it hadn’t been able to attract subscribers. From what we can see, clearly, this space is not an easy one, so if Netflix were to engage, it would have to be extremely cautious.

In addition to its cloud gaming ambitions, Verdu also revealed that Netflix was going to open a brand new game development studio in Southern California. Previously, Netflix purchased game studios, but this will be the firm’s first from the ground up. The new studio will be helmed by industry veteran Chako Sonny, who was previously the executive producer of Overwatch. While this is tremendous news, it will be interesting to see just how far Netflix’s gaming journey goes.

Source: TechCrunch

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Xbox Design Lab offers customization options for Elite Series 2 controllers

Xbox Design Lab has offered customization options for Xbox controllers since 2016. But the Elite Series 2 controller was never part of the offering, leaving many gamers out of luck. Now, for the first time, Microsoft is including the ability to customize Elite Series 2 controllers, along with new customization options.

Starting today, gamers can head to the Xbox Design Lab website to customize their own Elite Series 2 Controller. The customization part is quite detailed, with the option to change the color of the body, back case, D-pad, bumpers, triggers, thumb sticks, and more. You can take things even further by swapping the D-Pad for a cross-shaped version if you want. Also, for the first time in Xbox Design Lab history, customers will have the option to customize the thumb stick base and ring, which definitely adds a nice accent of color. If you want the complete package, you can also add an engraving on the front of up to 16 characters.

The Elite Series 2 Controller is one of the best from Microsoft, constructed of high-grade materials and components and featuring numerous customization options. The rubberized grips and tensioned thumb sticks provide maximum control, especially when paired with short hair trigger locks. You can even enable a custom button mapping option and expect the controller to last up to 40 hours on a single charge. Best of all, the new Core model is quite a bit cheaper than the standard Elite Series 2 model, coming in at $50 less. Microsoft was able to accomplish this by removing some of the accessories that come packaged with the original model. But the good thing is that you can still purchase these accessories separately if you want. Microsoft offers the accessory bundle through its Complete Component Pack costing $59.99.

As a final touch to the customization process, users will be able to change the color of the Xbox button using the Xbox Accessories app as long as they also have the Xbox September update. This option will expand beyond color, giving users the option to set the brightness level as well. While you have the option to customize an Elite Series 2 controller, Microsoft still offers the ability to customize a standard Xbox Wireless controller as well. The Elite Series 2 Controller will cost $129.99, but if you want to customize it, you can pick up the controller with customization service for just $20 more. If you’re looking to customize an Xbox Wireless controller, it will cost substantially less, coming in at $69.99. If interested, be sure to head to the source link down below.

Source: Xbox Design Lab
Via: Xbox News

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Netflix doubles down on gaming, has 55 games in development

Today, Netflix released its third-quarter financial results, and it would be an understatement to say there was a lot of good news. In addition to exceeding its expected revenue for the term, the company also added over a million new subscribers, again exceeding expectations. With today’s positive news, the company also shared some of the things that it will do moving forward, like investing in more shows and movies and also expanding its gaming lineup.

While that last part might have you scratching your head, it appears that Netflix is doubling down on its game offerings. The company stated that in its first year of gaming, it was about learning the lay of the land and how its audience would react to the company’s new initiative. The service currently offers 35 games as part of its subscription plans, and it is apparently seeing “encouraging signs” of gaming leading to higher subscription retention. Because of this, the company is going deeper with gaming and currently has 55 games in development, with some of them being based on original Netflix properties. The firm states that it will be investing in games for the next few years, so it will be interesting to see where this takes us.

The company also discussed its new ad-supported tier of service, stating that it will arrive on November 1 in Canada and the United States. It will be expanding to nine other countries over the first two weeks of November, giving users around the world a new and less costly option for service. Netflix did hint that there could be an expansion of plans in the future but stated that it wanted to keep it simple for the initial launch. Furthermore, it also reiterated its plans to allow users sharing accounts to branch out to new accounts with its recently announced transfer service. What’s clear is that Netflix seems to understand its landscape, citing social media, YouTube, and other more traditional forms of media as competition to its own service. It will be interesting to see how it handles things moving forward.

Source: Netflix (Investors page)

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lundi 17 octobre 2022

TikTok adds new safety features and more LIVE guests

TikTok is definitely not one to rest on its laurels and is, once again, adding features and updating its app so that its community and creators can explore and enjoy a better and safer experience.

While TikTok is mostly known for its short-form vertical videos, the company does offer its creators the ability to host live streams as well. While having a live session with yourself and your audience can be great, having another guest could take it to another level. That’s why TikTok is now updating its Multi-Guest feature to allow up to five guests at one time, which will be broadcast as a grid or panel layout.

In its ongoing efforts to protect younger users of the platform, TikTok will soon require users starting a live stream to be at least 18 years of age or older. Currently, users can be 16 years old to start a stream, but starting on November 23, users under the age of 18 will no longer be able to live stream. Creators will also gain more control of their content with live content, being able to choose whether it will only reach an adult audience.

Furthermore, creators will be able to double down on keyword filtering, as TikTok will send reminders that will suggest new keywords that creators might want to filter out. Of course, this is just a small addition to an already robust platform that has added numerous features over the past few months.

With its most recent update, users now have a way to dislike comments that they find inappropriate. In addition, users can also experiment with its new spontaneous dual camera update, which many have deemed as a BeReal copy. While unconfirmed, the app could also bring a new live shopping experience to those in the United States that would put a new spin on online shopping. If you want to try it, check it out using the links below.

TikTok (Free, Google Play) →

‎TikTok (Free⁺, App Store) →

Source: TikTok

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The best RAM for gaming in 2022: Top DDR4 and DDR5 modules to pick for your build

Buying the best RAM for your PC build may not be as exciting as, say, picking the best CPU or the best graphics card. But it’s important to make sure you’ve installed a sufficient amount at a fast enough speed to unlock the potential of your build.

It’s about getting the right combination of capacity, good memory speeds, low latency, and more. In this article, we’re going to take a look at some of the best RAM for gaming you can buy in 2022. We’re at a point in time where both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM is relevant, depending on which CPU and motherboard combination you’re using. Intel 12th and 13th Gen support both, for example, while AMD Ryzen 7000 only supports DDR5. In this guide, you’ll find recommendations for both types.

Navigate this article:

Best overall DDR4 RAM for gaming: TeamGroup T-Force Xtreem DDR4-3600
Best DDR5 RAM for gaming: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5
Best RGB DDR5 RAM for gaming: ADATA XPG LANCER DDR5 Memory
Best budget DDR5 RAM for gaming: TeamGroup’s Elite DDR5-4800 32GB (2x16GB) Memory
Best high-speed DDR4 RAM kit for gaming: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400
Best budget DDR4 kit for gaming: Corsair Vengeance LPX
Best RGB DDR4 RAM for gaming: G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600

Best overall DDR4 RAM for gaming: TeamGroup T-Force Xtreem

Interior of a gaming PC with RGB lights, coolant tubes, and power connectors.

The T-Force Xtreem ARGB kit includes sophisticated modules that feature an aluminum alloy heat-spreader. The kit also has addressable RGB lights that shine through the translucent plastic. The rear side of the module, however, doesn’t have the same design and it exposes the PCB. The RGB lights on the module can be controlled via the T-Force Blitz software. It gives you complete control of the lighting, allowing you to customize many things including the colors, effects, and more. This kit comes with two 8GB single-rank memory modules featuring a 10-player PCB and Samsung B integrated circuits.

Out of the box, the Xtreem DDR4 modules posts at DDR4-2400 with 16-16-16-39 timings. Flipping the XMP switch in your BIOS can make them run at DDR4-3200 with 14-15-15-35 timings and a DRAM voltage of 1.45V. The module also offers more headroom to further overclock, thereby allowing it to hit the DDR4-3600 speeds with tighter timings. There’s not too much room to expand but it works well at DDR4-3600. This kit is perfect for AMD Ryzen-based builds as the CPUs thrive on fast memory.

Overall, T-Group seems to have done a pretty good job with the Xtreem ARGB DDR4-3600 kit. This is definitely one of the best-looking kits on the market right now with just the right amount of RGB and a sophisticated heat-spreader. We think it’ll blend in nicely with a ton of kits out there and look nice inside a variety of builds. The T-Force Xtreem kit also excels when it comes to overall performance, making it one of the fastest DDR4-3600 C14 memory kits you can buy right now.

TEAM XTREEM ARGB DDR4-3600MHZ C14

The Team Xtreem ARGB ticks all the right boxes to become our pick for the best DDR4 RAM you can buy right now. It offers reliable speeds and low latency to deliver solid performance.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

Buy from Amazon

Best DDR5 RAM for gaming: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5

GSkill Ripjaws S5 memory modules with matte black heatsink next to a keycap puller

If you are in the market in the market to buy some premium performance DDR5 memory kits, then you might want to consider checking out the G.Skill Ripjaws S5. The Ripjaws S5, has a very simple design. The company has decided to go with the same non-RGB aesthetics that we’ve seen in the past, but the new modules have a different heat spreader.

The new modules are available in both matte black and matte white variants, and we think they’ll blend in nicely with a variety of different build themes out there. We also like how G.Skill has retained the low-profile design of the original Ripjaws. The new Ripjaws S5 is just 33mm tall, which means it shouldn’t have any clearance issues inside most builds. This is a crucial factor to consider mainly because a lot of CPU coolers have big heatsinks now that tend to interfere with memory modules.

You can only buy a 32GB Ripjaws S5 kit on the market right now with two 16GB modules. The company claims tested memory speeds of 5,200MHz for these new modules. We’re looking at 40-40-40-76 memory latency at 1.10V voltage. This is in line with most other DDR5 memory kits on the market right now, so no surprises here. If anything, the power consumption at 1.10V is among the lowest we’ve seen in the DDR5 memory space. Some of the highlights of the G.SKill Ripjaws S5 include XMP 3.0 support that allows you to easily tune the modules with saved profiles. Notably, you also get a lifetime warranty for this kit, which is good in case anything goes wrong.

G.Skill RipJaws S5 DDR5

G.Skill Ripjaws S5 is a reliable DDR5 memory kit with reliable performance and a low-profile design.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

See at Amazon

Best RGB DDR5 RAM for gaming: ADATA XPG LANCER DDR5 Memory

Black colored XPG LANCER memory modules kept next to a motherboard

ADATA is a popular name in the computing space and the company has a lot of reliable memory modules on the market. In fact, ADATA was one of the first manufacturers to officially release consumer-grade DDR5 memory modules in the form of the XPG LANCER DDR5. Much like the Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 RAM modules, the LANCER DDR5 kit is capable of reaching frequencies of up to 5,200MB/s, with up to 16GB of memory allocation.

XPG says the LANCER DDR5 memory is also suitable for overclocking, but it’s still somewhat limited. You get support for Intel XMP 3.0 for one-click overclocking and you should have no issues pushing these modules to the advertised speeds as long as your system is up to it. XPG’s spec includes 38 CAS latency for this chip, which is pretty good. 38 CAS latency is among the lowest we’ve seen so far in the DDR5 space. Some other noteworthy features of the ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5 memory kit include PMIC (Power Management Integrated Circuit), ECC (Error Correcting Code), and more.

This isn’t the absolute fastest DDR5 RAM around, but it’s one of the best-looking RGB kits. As the Ryzen 7000 and Intel 13th Gen CPUs come along, tech will keep pushing forward. For now, this is a great, reliable choice, that looks great in any gaming PC build.

ADATA XPG Lancer DDR5 RAM

XPG's LANCER DDR5 memory is available in 16GB capacity with frequencies of up to 5,200 Mb/s.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

Buy from B&H

Best budget DDR5 kit: TeamGroup Elite DDR5-4800 32GB (2x16GB) Memory

TeamGroup Elite DDR5-4800 32GB

Unlike the other DDR5 memory on this list, TeamGroup’s DDR5 module comes with a naked black-colored PCB. There’s no fancy heat spreader or flashy RGB at play here. In turn, that helps keep the price down, making it accessible to more budget-focused builds that need DDR5 memory.

TeamGroup is offering two 16GB DDR5 modules in a dual-channel presentation. The RAM operates at DDR5-4800 with 40-40-40-77 timings and only requires 1.1V to hit the advertised speeds. TeamGroup’s DDR5-4800 memory modules adhere to JEDEC’s specifications for DDR5 and pack a built-in power management IC (PMIC) and voltage regulator module (VRM). This is exclusive to the DDR5 memory modules and it’s expected to have a positive impact on the performance compared to the DDR4 modules. Despite being non-ECC memory, this kit supports the DDR5 on-die ECC that corrects DRAM cells for stability.

As is the case with most DDR5 memory modules, TeamGroup’s DDR5 memory does command a slight premium. However, compared to many other DDR5 kits, this one is quite affordable. The lack of RGB or included heat spreader has helped keep the cost down. Price wise this is in the same ballpark as some of the high-end DDR4 kits that are available on the market. This isn’t bad considering we’re looking at a significant performance uptick, and it’s worth it if you’re building a PC to last for some time.

TEAMGROUP Elite DDR5

One of the first affordable DDR5 kits that doesn't bother with wacky designs or RGB lighting you don't really need.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

See at Amazon

Best high-speed DDR4 RAM kit for gaming: Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400

Viper Steel RAM modules installed on a motherboard with a black PCB.

If you’re after the fastest DDR4 RAM for gaming, then we think the Patriot Viper Steel is a great option to consider. This particular kit with DDR4-4400 speeds gets super close to even the newer DDR5 RAM modules on the market right now. The highlight of this kit is its superb timings at DDR4-4400 speeds.

One of the first things you’ll notice about is its design. The modules come with a heat-spreader but there’s not much to talk about in terms of the overall design. It’s subtle and stylish, with no blinking RGB. The modules come with two XMP profiles which makes overclocking them a particularly effortless task. You get both a DDR4-4400 and DDR4-4266 profile you can activate. Both of them have the same enhanced 19-19-19-39 primary timings. Both profiles are also stable at 1.45V and 1.35V power.

DDR4 is also coming down in price which makes the Patriot Viper Steel one of the best value-for-money kits out there for gaming in 2022. The price-to-performance ratio is superb. DDR4 may well be getting replaced by DDR5, but with performance like this you’re not necessarily missing out on much if you choose to stay with the older standard a little while longer.

PATRIOT VIPER STEEL DDR4 RAM KIT

The Patriot Viper Steel DDR4-4400 is among the fastest DDR4 kits on the market right now but you'll miss out on the RGB bling.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

Buy from Amazon

Best budget DDR4 kit for gaming: Corsair Vengeance LPX

Grey colored Corsair Vengeance LPX memory modules

The Vengeance LPX DDR4 kit is what we think is the best budget option for those who’re looking to buy some low-priced sticks. These are perfect for those who are just getting started with a basic low to mid-tier PC build. Despite the affordable price tag, though, the Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4-2666 kit handily beats a lot of other kits in its class, thanks to double the number of ranks per DIMMs. It’s also worth pointing out that entry-level users who’re still using a relatively older chipset like the H370 or even the B360, for instance, can get better performance by upgrading to this memory kit.

We recommend pairing kit with budget or mid-tier components. The timings of the Vengeance LPX memory kit are quite slow at 16-18-18-35 with a CAS latency of 16, which is amongst the lowest you’ll see in this category. The Vengeance LPX memory doesn’t post with the advertised speeds, so you’ll also need a board that supports XMP to enable the kit’s DDR4-2666 profile.

This kit shines when the voltage is bumped up to 1.35V. It may not be the fastest kit around but it’s safe to say that the Vengeance LPX is extremely reliable. It’s also a great alternative to some other non-RGB kits mentioned in this collection. The low profile design makes it also play nicely with larger coolers and smaller form factor builds.

CORSAIR VENGEANCE LPX DDR4

The Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 memory is a great option for entry-level builds.

Features:

Pros:

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Buy from Amazon

Best RGB DDR4 RAM for gaming: G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600

Trident Z Neo RAM modules with RGB lights installed on a motherboard with other components

The G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4 features a tri-fin body with a dual-tone color scheme. One half of the aluminum heat-spreader comes with a brushed finish while the other half comes in a shiny silver color. And instead of adding RGB lighting all over the modules, G.Skill limited it to the top of each module. The light passes through a diffuser, which makes up for subtle lighting instead of flashing bright colors. G.Skill allows you to control the lighting in two ways — either via the included Trident Z Lighting Control software or your motherboard’s software.

The G.Skill Trident Z Neo modules are also just 1.73-inches tall, which means they play nicely with a variety of CPU coolers on the market. This kit features a 10-layer PCB and uses Samsung (B-die) integrated circuits (ICs). The Trident Z Neo posts at DDR4-2133 memory speed out of the box and it defaults to 15-15-15-36.

There’s only a single XMP profile but that means an easy one-click overclock to the advertised DDR4-3600 memory frequency. The included XMP profile also sets the timings and DRAM voltage to 16-16-16-36 and 1.35V. Thanks to the Samsung B-dies, the Trident Z Neo can also be easily overclocked without any major stability issues. This particular kit is known to be stable even at 1.45V, which is, again, very impressive.

G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600

The G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 is one of the most reliable memory kits on the market that offers impressive performance and good looks.

Features:

Pros:

Cons:

Buy from Amazon

The best RAM for gaming: Final Thoughts

There’s no one size fits all solution when it comes to buying RAM for gaming PCs. For one, we’re in this crossover period where DDR4 is still relevant but is gradually being phased out by DDR5. Essentially you want to get as much at as higher speed as your budget will allow. Sometimes more is definitely better. Any of the kits mentioned here will be perfect in a gaming PC, whether you’re into RGB or like something a little more subtle.

If you’re building a new gaming PC from scratch, then you can also check out some of our other collection articles including the best motherboards, best M.2 SSDs, and more. Alternatively, you can also join our XDA Computing Forums to discuss your build and get more product recommendations from the experts in our community.

The post The best RAM for gaming in 2022: Top DDR4 and DDR5 modules to pick for your build appeared first on XDA.

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