DDR5: Worth the Upgrade?

DDR5: Worth the Upgrade? It’s been years since DDR4 was released and DDR5 is finally on the horizon, but will it be worth the upgrade? In this article, we’ll discuss how DDR4 versus DDR5 compare and whether or not the new technology is worth the investment now or if you should wait for the next generation of memory to hit the market.

What Is DDR4?

DDR4 is a type of Random Access Memory that is used in computers to store data. It is named for Double Data Rate Fourth-Generation, and it functions by transferring data on both rising and falling edges of its clock cycle. DDR4 memory operates at a higher voltage than its predecessors (1.2V compared to 1.5V), which improves performance by allowing modules with larger capacities and wider interfaces. Because DDR4 uses less power, it also generates less heat; therefore, it can be used in smaller form factors without requiring bulky cooling systems or high-cost air conditioning units.

What Are The Benefits of DDR4?

DDR4 offers numerous advantages over DDR3. Perhaps most importantly, it's faster. In some applications, such as servers, memory speed makes a big difference in performance. And since DDR4 has up to twice as much bandwidth and up to half as many electrical losses compared to DDR3 SDRAM, data transfer rates go way up—which is good news for high-performance systems that rely on memory speed. Also, DDR4 uses 30% less power than its predecessor does and thus generates less heat and requires less active cooling solutions. DDR4 can also achieve higher densities than DDR3 chips do; in fact, an 8Gb (1GB) chip is about 20% smaller than an 8Gb DIMM module made from previous technology!

What Is Wrong With Current RAM Standards?

Our current RAM standards are already exceptionally speedy. DDR4, for example, can operate at a staggering 4266 MHz in addition to being vastly more energy efficient than previous standards. With hardware already improving at an incredible rate, what is there left to accomplish with DDR5? There are several potential upgrades we could see once DDR5 hits and it’s entirely possible that these enhancements will make current hardware feel outdated by comparison. So let’s take a look at what DDR5 has in store for us! Read on to find out if you should consider upgrading your computer once new RAM standards are released or just keep using your current setup.

When Do We Get DDR5 RAM?

There’s a lot of speculation about when we’ll see DDR5 memory. It’s actually already on its way to market, and you can bet your bottom dollar that Intel will be one of the first to roll it out. We may even see it in 2018, with 2020 being a more likely release date for mainstream adoption. At any rate, you shouldn’t hold off on buying an upgrade because there’s new hardware around corner; most rigs from 2017 will be able to run DDR5 with no issues.

Why Should I Care About This Advancement?

The latest memory technology to be developed by JEDEC—the board that creates standards for chips, interfaces, and other components used in computers—is DDR5, which is an improvement over DDR4. According to ExtremeTech , upgrading from one generation of memory to another brings about a huge increase in bandwidth and capabilities. So why should you care about DDR5's release? For starters, it'll make future laptops and PCs faster than ever before. According to Ars Technica , DDR4 can hit speeds of up to 3200 megabits per second (Mbps), but with DDR5 we could see transfer rates upwards of 8266 Mbps! More speed on your laptop means tasks will finish faster.