By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 29 September 2026
In short: in 2026, it’s not you who chooses between DDR4 and DDR5, it’s your platform: AM5 and Intel Core Ultra 200S only support DDR5, AM4 only DDR4, and Intel motherboards from the 12th to the 14th generation exist in both versions. For a new PC, go for DDR5: TechSpot finds roughly 20% more FPS on average than DDR4 on the same processor, and DDR4 isn’t even any cheaper anymore since production stopped. Aim for 2 sticks (dual channel), at least 16 GB, 32 GB for peace of mind, and enable the EXPO or XMP profile in the BIOS.
2026, the year RAM prices surged
Choosing your RAM used to be straightforward. Then demand for memory for artificial intelligence threw everything off. Manufacturers redirected their factories to HBM and server memory, and DRAM contract prices skyrocketed: +93 to 98% in Q1 2026, then +58 to 63% in Q2, according to TrendForce. The increase slows in Q3 (+13 to 18%), but prices remain very high.
The consequence for you: every gigabyte counts, and you need to put your memory budget where it really matters.
Two DDR5 sticks: the configuration to aim for in 2026. Photo: FlowUP.
DDR4 or DDR5: it’s your platform that decides
| Platform | Memory | To know |
|---|---|---|
| AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000 and earlier) | DDR4 only | No new processors |
| AMD AM5 (Ryzen 7000, 8000, 9000) | DDR5 only | Current platform, Zen 6 announced as compatible |
| Intel LGA1700 (12th to 14th generation Core) | DDR4 or DDR5 depending on the motherboard | Check the motherboard before buying memory |
| Intel LGA1851 (Core Ultra 200S and 200S Plus) | DDR5 only | Official DDR5-7200 on the 200S Plus |
The two types aren’t interchangeable: a DDR5 stick won’t fit in a DDR4 slot, and vice versa. To choose your platform, see how to choose your motherboard in 2026.
DDR5 vs DDR4: the gap to watch
TechSpot compared the two memory types on the same Intel processor that supports both (Core i5-12400F), with an RTX 5090 and 12 games at medium settings (December 2025): DDR5-6000 CL30 delivers about 20% more FPS on average than DDR4-3600 CL14, up to 33% higher in Marvel Rivals or Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing, and almost nothing in graphics-card-limited games. The more powerful the graphics card is and the lower the resolution, the more noticeable the gap becomes.
And the price of DDR4?
That’s the 2025-2026 paradox. Samsung, SK hynix and Micron announced the end of mainstream DDR4 between the end of 2025 and 2026, according to TrendForce. The supply collapsed and prices followed in the opposite direction: from summer 2025, a DDR4 chip cost about 50% more than a DDR5 chip with the same capacity (Tom’s Hardware, citing Digitimes). DDR4 still makes sense if you want to upgrade an existing AM4 or LGA1700 PC, not for a brand-new one.
How many GB? 16 or 32
According to TechSpot’s January 2026 test: 8 GB is no longer enough, 16 GB works for most games, and 32 GB is the right compromise for gamers, with headroom for Discord, the browser, and the most demanding games. Key point: with a graphics card that has 8 GB of video memory, 32 GB of RAM helps prevent heavy stuttering when video memory overflows.
The full debate is in our article 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM in 2026.
32 GB in 2 sticks: comfort for gaming and keeping your apps open
Frequency, latency, dual channel: what really matters
- Two sticks rather than one. In dual channel, bandwidth doubles. TechSpot measures 12% fewer FPS with a single DDR5 stick (Ryzen 7 9700X, 1080p, December 2025). The Ryzen X3D chips are less sensitive: 2.8% for a 9800X3D, according to Tom’s Hardware (July 2026).
- Enable EXPO or XMP. Without this profile enabled in the BIOS, the memory runs at its base speed, slower than the advertised one. EXPO is the AMD profile; XMP is the Intel one.
- The right speed. For Ryzen 7000, AMD called DDR5-6000 as the “sweet spot”; it’s also a safe value for Ryzen 9000. On the Intel side, the Core Ultra 200S Plus officially support up to DDR5-7200.
- Don’t overpay. “Record” super-fast sticks cost a lot for only a modest gain. Better 32 GB that are decent than 16 GB that are extreme.
Se0x94 sums up the difference between DDR4 and DDR5 in video:
Se0x94, “DDR in RAM: what is it and which one should you choose? (DDR4 vs DDR5)”, 2026.
Our simple rule
| Your situation | Our choice | To know |
|---|---|---|
| New PC, gaming | DDR5, 2 x 16 GB | 6000 MT/s on AM5, EXPO enabled |
| New PC, small budget | DDR5, 2 x 8GB | Upgrade to 32GB later |
| Upgrade an AM4 or LGA1700 PC with DDR4 | DDR4, identical kit or 2 x 16GB | No need to change platform for the RAM |
| Content creation, video editing, local AI | DDR5, 2 x 32GB | 64GB if your projects require it |
Our PCs in DDR5
Rift PC: AM5 and DDR5
Ryzen 5 7500F, RX 9060 XT 16GB and 16GB of DDR5 on the AM5 platform, upgradeable.
PC Novara GeForce RTX 5070 12GB
Ryzen 5 7500X3D, RTX 5070 12GB, 16GB DDR5 and a 1TB M.2 SSD: a plug-and-play gaming setup right out of the box.
FAQ: DDR4 or DDR5
DDR4 or DDR5 in 2026?
DDR5 for a new PC: around 20% more FPS on the same processor, according to TechSpot, and DDR4 is no longer cheaper. DDR4 is still useful for upgrading an existing AM4 or LGA1700 PC.
Can you put DDR4 on an AM5 motherboard?
No. AM5 supports only DDR5, just like Intel’s Core Ultra 200S.
Why is RAM so expensive in 2026?
Because manufacturers have redirected their production towards memory for artificial intelligence. TrendForce measured contract price increases of +93 to 98% in the first quarter of 2026 and +58 to 63% in the second.
One or two RAM sticks?
Two, for dual-channel: one stick alone can cost up to 12% of FPS according to TechSpot, less with a Ryzen X3D.
What DDR5 speed for a Ryzen?
DDR5-6000, described by AMD as the “sweet spot” for Ryzen 7000, and a safe choice for Ryzen 9000.
Sources
- TrendForce, DRAM prices in Q1 2026 (1 June 2026)
- TrendForce, Q2 2026 forecasts (31 March 2026)
- TrendForce, Q3 2026 forecasts (3 July 2026)
- TrendForce, DDR4 shutdown timeline (9 July 2025)
- Tom's Hardware, DDR4 price surge (September 2025)
- TechSpot, DDR5 vs DDR4 in games (5 December 2025)
- TechSpot, How much RAM in 2026 (8 January 2026)
- TechSpot, single stick vs dual-channel RAM (12 December 2025)
- Tom's Hardware, DDR5-6000 “sweet spot” according to AMD (September 2022)
- Intel, Core Ultra 200S Plus (March 2026)
