Decade-old RAM is making a comeback

The RAM shortage is prompting a resurgence of DDR4 memory, as new Intel and AMD CPUs are emerging with support for older, more affordable memory. CPU manufacturers have recognized that the persistent RAM price hikes are making it difficult for many users to upgrade their PCs. As a result, Intel and AMD are releasing new CPUs that will support the older DDR4 memory.

Gigabyte recently announced that two of its motherboard lines will now support "upcoming" processors built on Intel's LGA 1700 socket. This socket, which debuted in 2021 with the 12th gen Alder Lake CPUs, initially supported both DDR4 RAM and DDR5 RAM. However, Intel switched to a DDR5-only approach in 2024. Yet, Gigabyte claims that support for both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM formats is being revived, with new LGA 1700 chips expected to launch in early 2027.

Intel's decision to include DDR4 compatibility may be an attempt to give users the option to upgrade without switching to expensive DDR5 memory right away. AMD is taking a similar approach, offering a new series of motherboards for its DDR4-compatible AM4 platform to coincide with the 10th-anniversary relaunch of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D CPU.

DDR4 memory has been around since 2014 and was succeeded by the faster DDR5. Under typical circumstances, purchasing new hardware to utilize technology that is over a decade old would likely be a poor investment. However, the RAM shortage is altering the equation, with DDR4 RAM experiencing less price inflation compared to DDR5.

In my recent search for new RAM after a DDR4 kit failed, I noticed a significant price disparity: a DDR5 32GB Corsair Vengeance kit costs $620, while a DDR4 kit of the same capacity costs only $260. Although DDR5 offers advantages such as higher speeds and better power efficiency, the current price may not justify those benefits.

While DDR5 prices may drop in years to come, the official return of older sockets and chipsets suggests that now is a good time to retain DDR4 RAM.