Intel and AMD are shifting focus back to DDR4 memory support for upcoming processors to address rising RAM costs. This strategy aims to provide users with more affordable upgrade paths by avoiding the high prices of DDR5 technology, which currently costs more than double the price of equivalent DDR4 kits.
Gigabyte recently announced new motherboard lines supporting Intel's LGA 1700 socket, which is expected to host new chips in early 2027. This socket originally debuted in 2021 and previously offered dual compatibility for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory before Intel moved to a DDR5-only approach in 2024.
AMD is pursuing a similar strategy for its AM4 platform. In August, Gigabyte introduced new motherboards for this DDR4-compatible socket to coincide with the 10th-anniversary relaunch of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D processor. These moves highlight a broader industry trend of reviving older hardware standards to mitigate current market supply issues.
Market data illustrates the significant price disparity between the two memory standards. A 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 kit is currently priced at $620, while a comparable DDR4 kit costs $260. Despite the performance and efficiency advantages of DDR5, manufacturers are betting that the lower cost of DDR4 remains a critical factor for consumers.
