I'm building a system with an i5-14400 CPU that supports both DDR4 and DDR5. I've noticed that DDR5 motherboards and RAM are only a bit more expensive than their DDR4 counterparts. While I'm inclined to save some cash, I've been using DDR4 for my last two builds—first with 16GB at 2400MHz and later with 32GB at 3200MHz—both with decent graphics performance from my RX 6600 XT. I'm planning to stick with 32GB RAM regardless. Considering that some games are starting to recommend 16GB as a minimum, and I'll have a 1080p monitor and an M.2 SSD, I'm also eyeing a stronger GPU down the line. Do you think spending a little extra on DDR5 is worth it?
5 Answers
I’d go for DDR5 since it’s more future-proof. You won't want to upgrade your motherboard again anytime soon, so it's worth investing in the current tech now.
Using a DDR5 motherboard means you can easily upgrade later without needing to replace everything. Watch RAM prices, though—they fluctuate a lot, and you might find good deals that make increasing your RAM capacity easier.
If you already have DDR4 RAM, using that to start isn't a bad idea. You could always expand later if needed. Just keep in mind that if you plan to upgrade your CPU again soon, DDR5 would be a better long-term fit.
DDR5 can definitely give you a performance boost, especially in demanding tasks, and even a small speed increase like 10% can make a noticeable difference in frame rates, particularly at higher refresh rates. It’s worth considering your use case.
That’s one reason I’m sticking to 1080p this time! I realize 1440p could push my budget too much. Performance over visuals all the way for me!
With a lower-tier GPU, though, you might not see much of a benefit from faster RAM.
DDR4 is reaching the end of its life soon. If your motherboard supports DDR5, it makes sense to go ahead and choose DDR5 for longevity—as DDR4 will be phased out, you'll save yourself a hassle down the road.
Just to clarify, I don't have any of my old components anymore, so it's a fresh start for me!