Is DDR5 better than DDR4?

Is DDR5 better than DDR4? Did you know DDR5 is coming soon? DDR5 stands for Double Data Rate 5 and the reason it’s double data rate is because it runs at twice the speed of DDR4, which operates at 2133Mhz. So what does this mean for PC gamers and why should they care? In this article we explain why DDR5 will be better than DDR4 and when you can expect to see it available to purchase in your home or office computers.

What is DDR memory?

Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) is a type of computer memory that stores bits of data in binary form. DRAM takes advantage of a naturally occurring property in a piece of silicon: when zapped with electrical energy, electrons are excited to move from one state to another, creating an electrical current that can be detected as either 1 or 0. Essentially, when you turn on your computer, you’re telling it to create a series of on and off states for electricity – 1s and 0s, if you will – so that it can decipher them as commands and run programs.

Will I need a new computer to use DDR5 RAM?

So will you need a new computer to use DDR5 RAM, or can you use it with your existing computer? The answer is yes. A lot of people have asked whether or not they'll need to replace their existing computers to accommodate DDR5 RAM. The quick answer is that you'll be able to run both types of RAM in your computer (DDR4 and DDR5), but it depends on your motherboard. If your PC's motherboard can handle DDR5, then yes, you'll still be able to use your current PC—you won't need to buy a whole new machine. But if it can't handle DDR5, then there's no point in getting a faster speed when all you've got is a 128MB processor chip!

How much will DDR5 cost me?

When you're considering how much DDR5 will cost, it's important to consider what kind of product it's going into. A $10 USB stick might use less expensive memory and not have a huge impact on overall pricing, while a $3,000 server probably isn't going to drop in price anytime soon because of additional memory costs. In general, high-end computers aren't likely to get a big benefit from using high-end RAM. The increased performance is noticeable but won't be earth-shattering. However, that doesn't mean you should opt for low-quality memory just because you can afford cheaper hardware; that'll cause your computer to slow down significantly over time as Windows becomes more and more fragmented with extraneous files and data.

When will DDR5 be available on the market?

DDR4 is available for purchase now. There are no firm timelines for when we'll see DDR5 on store shelves, but new technologies take a while to develop—plus you'll have to buy a new motherboard to take advantage of it. Even more important: The price of DDR5 will probably be higher than that of existing RAM. If you're building a new PC, there's no reason not to get a kit of DDR4 right now; wait until there's a clear advantage before splurging on an upgrade. Before you go shopping, it's worth knowing what makes DDR memory tick: We explain it all in our Deep Dive into memory here.

Should I start saving for it now?

It’s not an entirely frivolous question. The early adoption of any new RAM standard can have a big impact on system performance, and there are good reasons to delay upgrading. For example, a system that uses DDR3-1600 can accommodate only up to 16GB of memory using four 4GB modules (64GB total). A DDR4-2133 system with its native support for 64GB of memory would be slower even if it had lower latency—because fewer modules could be used. In fact, given current memory prices, it might make sense to hold off until 2017 before installing anything more than 8GB in size. If you think you’ll need 128GB by then, well... get saving!