The Team Xtreem ARGB RAM kit we are reviewing is one of the few 3,600 MHz kits with a CAS latency of only 14, unlike most DDR4 RAM. Primary timing is 14-15-15-35, making it a very elite kit. In fact, if you are overclocking your rig, this kit may have more headroom than any memory module on the market. The default voltage is 1.45V, which is on the high side for a DDR4 kit, but remember that we are dealing with a low-latency CAS 14 kit. Plus, there's a lifetime warranty anyway.

DDR4 memory is really maturing nicely. Just a couple of years ago, a decent DDR4-3200 kit was considered high-end, but heading into 2021, 3,200 MHz is the baseline for a decent gaming system. In fact, one could argue that 3,600 MHz is the current sweet spot for decent performance without a large price premium.

This Team Xtreem ARGB memory is, as the name suggests, an addressable RGB kit. Even if you are not a fan of eye-popping, over-the-top laser light shows, this is a kit worth checking out. Each DIMM has a cover that diffuses the lighting over most of the module, resulting in a subtle, unobtrusive look; while Team does not have its own RGB control app, this kit is easily controlled using software suites from various motherboard manufacturers .

In this way, the colors of the system can be well synchronized; RGB seems to permeate modern gaming systems, but this kit looks really good without RGB. The modules are covered with a dark blue cover, which looks great on its own without compromising the vibrancy of the RGB.

So what about its performance? As is always the case with high-performance memory, its benefits are application-dependent.

When compared to a typical DDR4-3200 kit, you get the odd bump, though the benefits are hidden when you move to higher resolutions and graphic details. If you want to pull every last frame out on a high refresh rate monitor, you'll see the benefits.

High-performance memory is really only desirable when paired with an equally high-spec system. This is not to say that such kits are a waste of money. If you are going to spend $1,000 or more on a graphics card, why not add about $50 for high-quality RAM to minimize potential bottlenecks? That's definitely the way to go, especially since the kit is reasonably priced at $160.

The DDR4-3600 speed rating also makes this kit perfect for AMD Ryzen 3000 systems; while the AMD Zen 2 processor can be overclocked, the memory clock itself is tied to the Infinity fabric clock, which is generally 1,800 MHz or slightly higher; at a 1:1 ratio, DDR4-3600 is in the sweet spot for memory speed.

Beyond this speed, there is a latency penalty that must be very high to overcome. With this in mind, a low latency rated kit like the Team Xtreem ARGB is just what the doctor ordered. If you want to combine a shiny new AMD system with a plug-and-play high-performance memory kit, this is just what you need. There are kits out there with similar specs, but none better.

A kit with such basic specs screams "overclock it!" It uses the highly regarded Samsung B-Die IC, but even then, not all memory chips will reliably run at 3600 C14, which means that this is a highly binned kit. In fact, some popular DDR4-4000 and higher kits struggle with 3600 C14. We were able to achieve DDR4-4400 very easily, but found that 4600 struggled when compared to recent tests of G.Skill's high-performance kits. However, we felt that 4600 MHz was the limit of the ASRock Z490 motherboard. As always, your OC mileage may vary.

We are currently digging deeper into how fast RAM and timing affect gaming performance in more games, and will be looking at both Intel and AMD performance. The results may surprise you. Stay tuned.

With DDR4-3600 speeds and 14-15-15 timings, this Team Xtreem ARGB kit offers a nice blend of adequate speed and low latency, but without the high price tag often associated with top-class memory kits. In addition to the module's attractive visual design, this is a kit winner worth considering, especially for AMD users whose set-and-forget XMP profile perfectly matches the memory characteristics of the Ryzen 3000 series processors.

We might have expected a bit more overclocking performance from this product, but for many gamers who only run it at rated speeds, it's not that big of a deal; our recent testing of G.Skill's Trident X Royal DDR4-4000 C15 kit We may have been spoiled by that. But keep in mind that this kit is much more expensive.

Returning to the Team kit, one glance at its design and specifications will tell you whether this kit is attractive or not. Great looks, hassle-free XMP speed evaluation, low latency, and an affordable price mean that it ticks all the important boxes. Seriously, how could you not like it?