I'm planning to buy a new PC in a few months, but I've noticed that DDR5 RAM prices have shot up significantly. In my area, the import fees have made things worse, as a build I wanted that used to cost around $1,900 is now up to $2,500! It's frustrating, and I'm not sure if RAM prices will drop anytime soon. Given this situation, would it be better to just purchase a DDR4 setup?
**UPDATE:** Thanks to everyone who offered advice! I realized that the main reason for the price hike was due to the RTX 5070 being out of stock, not just the RAM prices. I'm now considering a 5060 Ti with 16GB instead.
5 Answers
Honestly, don't expect RAM prices to drop for the next few years. Even DDR4 is feeling the heat, so while it might seem like a safer choice, it may not be that much cheaper.
It really depends on your specs! I went for an LGA 1700 build with DDR4, and I'm really happy with my 32GB DDR4 3200. It runs everything just fine. If performance is your main concern, DDR4 is still holding its own.
I think you'd be better off building a slightly lower spec AM5 setup if you can, or maybe just wait a year. There's not much point in going for older technology when you can hold out for something more future-proof. DDR4 prices aren't that low either, especially right now.
Is DDR5 really that much better? I built my DDR4 PC two years ago, and I don't feel an urgent need to upgrade just for the RAM. The performance boost for gaming just isn't noticeable enough to justify the cost right now.
If you need a PC right away, consider looking for a used system for now and wait for prices to stabilize. It might take a year or two, but it could save you a lot.
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