By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 30 September 2026
In short: DDR6 is not available for PCs yet. Memory manufacturers (Samsung, SK hynix, Micron) are testing prototypes, and TrendForce did not expect modules or compatible processors before 2027. It should launch between 8,800 and 17,600 MT/s, roughly double the speed of DDR5. In the meantime, DDR5 remains the standard, and that’s what you should buy today.
DDR6: what we know in 2026
DDR6 is the next generation of PC RAM, after DDR5 arrived at the end of 2021. Its standard is prepared by JEDEC, the organisation that sets memory standards, and the three major manufacturers already have chips in testing. But processors and motherboards need to keep up: as long as no platform supports it, DDR6 remains useless on a PC.
Current platforms, AMD AM5 as well as Intel LGA1851, run on DDR5. Switching to DDR6 will therefore require a new processor, a new motherboard and new memory sticks, just like when moving from DDR4 to DDR5.
In 2026, DDR5 remains the memory for all recent PCs: DDR6 won’t arrive before 2027.
DDR4, DDR5, DDR6: the table
| Generation | Arrival on PC | Data rates | Situation in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR4 | 2014 | 1,600 to 3,200 MT/s (JEDEC standard) | Still in entry-level PCs |
| DDR5 | End of 2021 | 4,800 to 8,800 MT/s (JEDEC standard) | The current standard |
| DDR6 | Expected in 2027 at the earliest | Announced 8,800 to 17,600 MT/s | Not yet available |
Sources: Wikipedia (DDR4, DDR5, DDR6), TrendForce via HWCooling (August 2025), consulted on 30 September 2026.
Should you wait for DDR6 to buy a PC?
No. In games, RAM matters far less than the graphics card and the processor: switching from a good DDR5 to a faster DDR6 won’t change your experience in any visible way. Waiting two years or more for a new memory standard means missing out on a good PC for a minimal gain.
Why memory costs more in 2026
Since the end of 2025, memory manufacturers have been devoting an increasing share of their factories to HBM memory for AI accelerator chips. DRAM for PCs is becoming scarcer, and RAM and SSD prices have risen sharply. According to TrendForce, HBM could account for nearly 30% of DRAM production capacity by 2027.
What matters to you: 32GB of DDR5 is still the right choice for gaming and streaming; 16GB is still enough for gaming. The details are in 16GB or 32GB of RAM in 2026 and the best time to buy a gaming PC.
Our PCs’ DDR5: 16GB for gaming, 32GB for gaming and streaming.
And the RTX 5090?
Another recurring topic is the RTX 5090. It launched on 30 January 2025 at a price of $1,999 in the United States, with 32GB of GDDR7 and a power draw of 575W. It’s still the most powerful graphics card for gaming: an average of 110.8 frames per second in 4K Ultra according to Tom’s Hardware’s ranking (June 2026). Its real-world price has risen with the increase in memory prices. The whole range is detailed in our article on the RTX 5000 series.
PC Kraken: RTX 5090
RTX 5090 32GB, Ryzen 9 9950X3D, 32GB of DDR5 and 2TB Samsung 990 PRO SSD: the top of our range.
FAQ: DDR6 and memory in 2026
When does DDR6 come out?
Not before 2027 according to TrendForce, which did not expect compatible modules or processors before that date. No mainstream platform supports it in September 2026.
What will be the DDR6 speed?
The announced data rates range from 8,800 to 17,600 MT/s, i.e. about double DDR5.
Will DDR6 be compatible with my DDR5 motherboard?
No. As with every generation, you’ll need a DDR6-compatible motherboard and processor.
How much will DDR6 cost?
No price has been announced. Like every new generation, it will be expensive at launch, and the current rise in memory prices doesn’t point in the right direction.
Should you wait for DDR6 to upgrade your PC?
No: in games, the graphics card and the processor matter far more than the memory generation.
