Both of Corsair’s product ranges are excellent, and you can’t really go wrong with either. Still, Corsair Vengeance RAM is the overall better choice for most users. It’s more affordable than Dominator RAM while offering mostly identical performance. You can get faster RAM in the Dominator range, but the differences aren’t significant enough to make a difference in real-world situations.
If you’re shopping for computer RAM, you’ve probably considered buying a Corsair RAM kit. And we don’t blame you: the company makes high-quality memory kits backed by a solid lifetime warranty. But with two main product lines to choose from, you may be confused when choosing between Corsair Vengeance vs. Dominator RAM.
Corsair’s Vengeance product range is the more “mainstream” of the two, with lower-profile designs and more affordable prices. Dominator-branded RAM targets high-end systems and enthusiasts, with prices to match. But which is right for you? Read on to find out.
Corsair RAM: A Quick Overview
Fundamentally, Corsair Vengeance and Platinum memory kits are more similar than they are different. Both are high-performance RAM kits perfect for any gaming rig. The main differences are in the lighting and design of the heat spreaders.
| Lighting | Height | |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair Vengeance | ❌ | 1.32 inches (DDR4) / 1.35 inches (DDR5) |
| Corsair Vengeance RGB | ✅ | 1.73 inches (DDR4) / 2.2 inches (DDR5) |
| Corsair Dominator | ✅ | 2.2 inches (DDR4 and DDR5) |
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM. Source: Corsair
Corsair’s Vengeance RAM is the company’s “entry-level” performance RAM product. You get two versions: Vengeance (or Vengeance LPX if you’re shopping for DDR4) and Vengeance RGB.
Non-RGB Vengeance RAM has low-profile heat spreaders and no RGB lighting, forgoing aesthetics in return for lower prices. Vengeance RGB RAM features taller heat spreaders and RGB strips on the heat spreaders.
Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM. Source: Corsair
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB RAM is Corsair’s premium RAM product. The main difference is the chunky, industrial-style heat spreader design. Dominator RAM is RGB-only in both its DDR4 and DDR5 guises.
Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5 RAM. Source: Corsair
Corsair Vengeance vs. Dominator: Price
Price-wise, basic Vengeance RAM is generally the most affordable performance RAM in Corsair’s range. A decent mid-range 32 GB 5600 MHz DDR5 CL36 kit has an MSRP of around $160, which is a reasonably good deal for DDR5 memory at the time of writing.
Corsair’s Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM generally sells for slightly more than the non-RGB versions, but usually not by much. For example, the same 32 GB 5600 MHz DDR5 CL36 kit has an MSRP of $170, which is a small premium for a lot of extra bling.
As you may expect for premium RAM, Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB RAM kits cost more than Corsair Vengeance RAM, even if it’s running at the same speed and latency. For example, a 32 GB 5600 MHz CL36 Dominator Platinum kit will cost you around $200.
That’s a $30 premium over the Vengeance RGB RAM, primarily for a fancier heat spreader and a couple of extra LEDs. Is it worth paying that much more for what are essentially identical memory modules underneath? We’ll let you be the judge.
The price gap applies to DDR4 RAM, too. For example, a 16GB kit of 3200 MHz CL16 DDR4 Vengeance LPX RAM will set you back around $50; the same kit in Dominator Platinum garb will set you back just under $100.
Winner: Corsair Vengeance RAM
If you’re primarily concerned with price, then Corsair’s Vengeance RAM takes the cake here. If you’re on a tighter budget, then basic non-RGB Corsair Vengeance RAM will do the trick. Those who want RGB bling can grab a kit of Vengeance RGB RAM and still end up paying less than they would for a similarly-specced kit of Corsair Dominator Platinum RAM.
Corsair Vengeance vs. Dominator: Performance
In like-for-like tests, there’s no appreciable difference when you compare the two Corsair products. A 32 GB 5600 MHz CL36 kit of Corsair Vengeance will run similarly (if not completely identically) to a Dominator memory kit of the same speed and latency.
So there’s no performance-related reason to spend more for Dominator RAM if you can get a Vengeance RAM kit with the same specs.
However, Dominator RAM does have an advantage if you’re seeking the fastest possible Corsair-branded RAM. At the time of writing, Corsair’s Vengeance DDR5 RAM tops out at 7200 MHz CL34.
That’s plenty fast, even for high-end systems. However, speed demons can go one better with Corsair Dominator RAM, which goes up to 7600 MHz CL36. Is the speed difference worth the nearly-$300 price gap? No, not really. But it is an option if you’re adamant that you want the fastest Corsair RAM possible for your gaming PC.
One area where you may hope the Dominator RAM excels is overclocking, but that’s not a guarantee either. RAM overclocking depends on various component-level factors, most notably the memory chips (commonly referred to as “memory dies”) used in your RAM. Buying Dominator Platinum doesn’t guarantee good RAM chips, nor does buying Vengeance relegate you to living with low-quality RAM.
Source: Corsair
It’s a similar case for DDR4 RAM. Corsair Vengeance DDR4 RAM tops out at 3600 MHz CL16 kit, but there’s a slightly faster 4000 MHz CL19 Corsair Dominator Platinum DDR4 kit out there. Again, not a huge difference, but it’s there.
Winner: Corsair Dominator RAM (barely!)
Corsair Dominator RAM takes the win here, if only because Corsair reserves its highest-speed kits for the more expensive range of products. But the speed (and, thus, performance) difference between the fastest Vengeance and Dominator RAM kits is minimal at best and likely irrelevant in most real-world situations.
Corsair Vengeance vs. Dominator: Physical Compatibility
Pictured: goldstarlabs’ Setup
If you need low-profile RAM in your gaming PC, basic Corsair Vengeance (or Vengeance LPX) is the RAM to go for. Non-RGB DDR5 Vengeance RAM stands 35 mm (1.38 inches) tall, while the DDR4 Vengeance LPX is even shorter at 33.5 mm. This makes them great for height-restricted situations, like goldstarlabs’ setup shown above.
DDR5 Vengeance RGB RAM and Dominator Platinum RAM are significantly taller, with both modules coming in at 56 mm (2.2 inches) tall. These should still work in most builds but may pose issues in tiny cases and constricted environments, depending on your other hardware.
Winner: Corsair Vengeance (non-RGB)
Basic (non-RGB) Corsair Vengeance RAM’s roughly 35 mm height makes it the winner here. You likely won’t need to limit yourself to 35-mm RAM, so it’s not a huge selling point. That said, it’s still more compatible than the taller Vengeance RGB and Dominator Platinum RGB modules; thus, it takes a resounding win.
Corsair Vengeance vs. Dominator: Aesthetics
Corsair’s Vengeance and Dominator RAM look drastically different from each other. The former opts for a sleeker aesthetic, while Dominator RAM goes for a chunky, eye-catching look that tends to be quite a love-or-hate affair.
If you’re not an RGB fan, then basic Corsair Vengeance wins here, as it’s the only option without lighting. However, if you like RGB, it’ll be a subjective decision whether Vengeance RGB or Dominator Platinum RGB RAM looks better.
DDR5 Dominator Platinum RGB RAM has 12 Capellix RGB LEDs on each memory module compared to the 10 RGB LEDs on DDR5 Vengeance RGB modules. However, the Dominator RAM hides its RGB lighting behind a “slotted” design that isn’t to everyone’s liking. On the other hand, Vengeance RGB RAM has a smooth RGB strip that we think looks better.
Source: Corsair
If you’re building a white rig, you’ll be pleased to know that both Vengeance RGB and Dominator Platinum RGB RAM come in white. Basic non-RGB Vengeance is harder to find in white, so if you need white RAM, then you’ll be paying a bit extra for the RGB RAM.
It’s the same case for DDR4 RAM: DDR4 Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO has a smooth, unobstructed LED strip, while Dominator RGB features the same square slots for the RGB strip.
Winner: It’s a Tie
Aesthetics is way too subjective for us to nominate a winner here. Some will love the chunky, industrial heat spreaders of Corsair’s Dominator Platinum RAM, while others will gravitate towards the sleeker look of its Vengeance RAM.
Closing Thoughts
| Corsair Vengeance | Corsair Dominator | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ✅ | ❌ |
| Performance | ❌ | ✅ |
| Compatibility | ✅ | ❌ |
| Aesthetics | ✅ | ✅ |
Both Corsair product ranges are great, but we think Vengeance RAM is the better pick overall. Performance is close, if not identical (provided you’re comparing with similarly-specced RAM), and the lower prices mean it’s a generally better deal for most users. Corsair Vengeance RAM is more than adequate, even if you’re chasing triple-digit framerates with a high-end rig.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with splurging on Corsair Dominator RAM if you prefer how it looks, or if you simply must have the fastest RAM kits Corsair makes. They’re not necessarily good value, but they’re still great RAM kits.
Unsure what to look for when shopping for RAM? Check out our RAM buying guide for a quick rundown of all the vital specs.
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