Lexar has introduced a new player in the PC memory market with its first DRAM products for both desktops and laptops. While the first kit is not aimed at enthusiasts, Lexar says it will introduce "more high-performance models" later this year, and we are interested to see where it goes.

In the meantime, Lexar has stepped into the DRAM world with several DDR4-2666 memory kits. These include:

Prices appear to be competitive at first glance. For example, when we checked the prices of 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4-2666 memory kits on Newegg, we found several priced between $59.99 and $64.99, while most kits were $70+.

However, it is difficult to compare apples to apples, as Lexar provides only a few details. Lexar lists the CAS latency for these kits as 19, but does not mention any other timings. For reference, the cheapest 16GB DDR4-2666 kit on Newegg is G.Skill's Aegis, with timings of 19-19-19-43 for $59.99.

Unlike this kit, the heatspreader does not appear to be part of the package for Lexar's memory. However, this is not unusual at this price, let alone for the Aegis kit.

Lexar has the potential to shake up the DRAM market if it so chooses. It is a well-known brand with a broad lineup of memory cards, USB flash drives, and SSDs, including the relatively fast NM700 NVMe SSD (3,500 MB/sec read, 2,000 MB/sec write).

I have asked Lexar for more information on their higher-performance memory plans and will update this article when I hear back. [Update: Lexar says it plans to introduce DDR4-3200 and DDR4-3000 kits next, as well as "DRAMs with heatsinks and RGB lighting for gamers and enthusiasts."]