PNY XLR8 GAMING EPIC-X RGB RAM REVIEW. With AMD processors loving superfast RAM and Intel CPUs also benefitting from speedy memory, it’s unsurprising to see how popular 3600 MHz+ DDR4 RAM has become. PNY is combining high speeds with RGB lighting that is defused through a frosted gloss-style cover. This is the GameRevolution review of the 16 GB kit.
Quick install and overclock
RAM installation is one of the quickest parts of building a PC or making an upgrade. Simply click the modules in place, using the motherboard manual to confirm the correct slots. Then, boot up and, if available, select the built-in XMP/DOCP profile. The PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB RAM might have an overly complicated name, but actually getting it set up and working correctly is very straight forward.
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Using my ASRock motherboard, I was able to overclock the PNY RAM in a matter of seconds. The XMP profile of 3600 MHz (18-20-20-42) immediately worked and was stable for my system. While it works out of the box with no tinkering, speeds will be limited to a default of 2400 MHz, so it’s well worth that couple of clicks to enable XMP and enjoy that additional 1200 MHz of speed.
Most users will set and forget the XMP profile, but the relatively loose timings can be tightened up by a keen overclocker with some spare time on their hands. The speed could also be given a push. I think PNY went for a blanket setting that would best guarantee stability across all units and keep XMP as headache-free as possible.
Newfound hunger for speed
I paired this RAM with an AMD Ryzen 7 3700X, which is a great combination as that CPU benefits greatly from faster memory. If you have the option in your PC budget, always opt for faster memory, especially when pairing it with a Ryzen processor. I consider 3600 MHz the sweet spot when buying RAM for modern AMD CPUs, so PNY has met those needs here.
Test System
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
- Motherboard: ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming ITX/TB3
- RAM: PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB DDR4 3600MHz 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB)
- GPU: PNY GeForce RTX 2060 6GB XLR8 Gaming Overclocked Edition
- Storage: Crucial P1 1 TB CT1000P1SSD8
- Case: NZXT H1
- Operating System: Windows 10
Higher speeds help in games and other intensive tasks like video editing and rendering. For those aiming to livestream video games and cut highlights into clips for YouTube, higher-clocked RAM is well worth considering.
RGB lighting for all
Of course, it’s not just about performance. In this day and age, it’s impossible to ignore the trend of RGB lighting. High-performance systems are often brightly lit with colorful flair. PNY is aiming to satisfy the RGB fanatics with its “dual-sided 5×2 LED configuration housed inside a frosted light guide lens.” The lighting setup works well, with the frosted covering acting to defuse the light beneath, helping to make it evenly lit.
It’s 2021 and there are still many different RGB software solutions being used by various PC component manufacturers. Those going wild with RGB will often have two or more apps installed just for lighting. PNY is fighting back against this, with its XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB RAM being compatible with Asus AURA SYNC, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome SYNC.
I used ASRock’s software since I have an ASRock X570 Phantom Gaming ITX/TB3 motherboard and it recognized the RAM without issue. Having previously just opted to go with the default rainbow effect or disable a component’s lighting entirely due to frustrations with subpar software, it’s nice to see PNY products working within other apps.
At default, the RAM goes with the usual RGB rainbow. This is nice for those who want the classic wave look, without the need to install any additional software. I’ve found that most RGB-enabled components default to a rainbow effect, so it’s good that PNY sticking with this trend.
PNY XLR8 Epic-X RGB RAM Review | The Final Verdict
At $94.99, the PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB RAM is priced well for a 16 GB kit of 3600 MHz memory with RGB lighting. While RAM is never a very exciting product when compared to other PC components, it’s always nice to buy memory that just works with zero headaches.
PNY has delivered on its promise of overclocked 3600 MHZ with great RGB lighting implementation. When shopping for RAM, you can consider PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB RAM a solid option for a new build or upgrade.
PNY XLR8 Gaming Epic-X RGB RAM review unit was provided by PNY.
