TechRadar Verdict
The Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 RAM kit offers fantastic compatibility, great performance, cool style, and a fantastic price, though RGB fans will be disappointed.
Great performance
Accessible price
Cool, non-RGB style
Both XMP and EXPO compatible
Tops out at 6000MT/s
Price factors in Crucial discount pricing
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Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5: Two-minute review
The Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 RAM kit is now going to be my default RAM kit on the test bench, it’s really that good.
It’s not so much about the style, which is in itself pretty fantastic with its oragami-inspired design and attractive white heatspreader.
It’s also not really about the price, especially since the current retail price for a 32GB (2x16GB) of $104.99 in the US (about £90/AU$150) is technically a discount from its list price of $164.99 (about £135/AU$240), which would make this kit a lot less appealing when compared to something like theTeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR5I reviewed in March if the Crucial Pro Overclocking ever went back up to its MSRP.
While those factors—design and price—are definitely relevant, it wouldn’t mean anything if its performance wasn’t up to par with the competition, and fortunately, the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 can more than hold its own against its rivals.
As you can see above, there are areas where the Crucial Pro OC kit doesn’t quite get to the levels of some other competing DDR5 kits like the TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB or PNY XLR8 Gaming Mako, both of which also clock in at 6,000MT/s when running in overclocking mode, but unlike those kits, the Crucial Pro can do both XMP and EXPO, so its compatibility is fantastic.
This is especially true if you work on a lot of different systems and sometimes find yourself toggling betweenAMDandIntelfrequently enough that you have a hard time keeping track of which RAM you’re using (though that might just be a me-problem).
Currently, you can only get the Crucial Pro Overclocking in a 32GB kit (16GBx2) at 6,000MT/s, but honestly, you really don’t need much more than that. Besides, the stock 5,600MT/s that you get out of the package is better than most competing kits, so if you want better stability you have the option of just plugging your RAM in and turning on your PC for great performance.
There are things that some might be missing, like the RGB aesthetic or even more control over overclocking voltages and speeds than the presets you get with the Crucial Pro Overclocking kit, but for the amount of money you’re paying for what you’re getting, this is currently the RAM kit to beat in this range.
Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5: Price & availability
You can get the 32GB (16GBx2) Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 kit for $104.99 (about £90 / AU$150), though its does show a list price of $164.99 on Crucial’s storefront where it has marked the price on this kit down considerably.
As it stands, this RAM kit is very competitive price-wise. If that ever changes, however, that will be a much bigger issue, as its performance to price ratio at its list price is genuinely terrible. You shouldn’t spend more than $110/£90/AU$155 on this kit, as you can get a much better value elsewhere once you’re in the $150/£120/AU$210 range.
Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5: Specs
Should you buy the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5?
Buy the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 kit if…
You want easy DDR5 overclockingThe best part about the Crucial Pro Overclocking DDR5 is that you plug it in and it just works.
You want great-looking RAM for your buildBetween the stylish silhouette, this is some great-looking RAM.
Don’t buy it if…
You want some RGBThis is strictly non-RGB, so if you want that sort of thing, there are other options out there.
It’s priced above $110/£90/AU$155This RAM has been selling for much less than its list price, but if that ever changes, there are likely to be better options out there.
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First reviewed July 2024
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.
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