When choosing between DDR4 and DDR5, the upgrade is not optional for some people. Here’s what you need to know about the new generation of RAM.
Random Access Memory, or RAM, is the part of the PC that temporarily stores data on its own, so that the CPU can quickly access information that it needs quickly. Things like cards and resources in video games, which need to load quickly, are conveniently stored in RAM, which acts as a quick distributor to the CPU in situations where a hard drive or SSD would prove too slow. This is why having at least average RAM, or upgrading to the best possible RAM, is important to keep a PC running smoothly.
Currently, the gaming standard for RAM is locked to DDR4 as a rule of thumb. DDR4 is the fourth iteration of the Double Data Rate method of memory storage. While some gamers are perfectly content with gaming on old CPUs, cheap graphics cards, and DDR3 (or earlier, in some cases), today’s AAA titles almost require the use of DDR4 RAM. For starters, modern CPUs are built to be compatible with motherboards that use DDR4 almost exclusively. Another problem is that the speed of the RAM itself, from DDR3 to DDR4, is much, much faster and results in a much better gaming experience as a whole.
With DDR4 RAM nearing the end of its lifecycle, DDR5 RAM is taking center stage as the next big leap in gaming components. The latest emerging CPU ranges, Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 series, will both support DDR5 RAM and absolutely need it to take full advantage of their capabilities. Bank leakage spotted a test run with Intel’s i7-13700k, which shows a performance gain of over 80% and 15% in multi-threaded and single-threaded performance, respectively, compared to AMD’s equivalent previous-generation 5800X. The performance boost is due to many complicated factors, but the ability to put DDR5 RAM next to it is definitely one of them. This means that, if you can afford it, you should definitely grab some DDR5 sticks to compliment the new generation of hardware as soon as possible. That said, there are some additional terms and information that can change whether a user upgrades immediately or waits for the market.
Should you upgrade or wait?
The question is quite easy to answer for most users (upgrade!). However, depending on the CPU manufacturer a gamer prefers, there may be room for niche market timing. If the company of choice is AMD and the current goal is to get a Ryzen 7000 (Zen 4) processor as soon as possible, upgrading to DDR5 RAM will be an absolute necessity, as Zen 4 processors probably won’t support DDR4 RAM unfortunately. For Intel connoisseurs, there isn’t really a right or wrong answer. The 13th generation Intel processors will support both DDR5 and DDR4 (3200MHz) RAM, so there’s really no need to upgrade. That said, throwing the cash for a brand new generation of CPU not to pair it up with its best partners in RAM might be a bit counterintuitive. Although such a build gives someone the option to upgrade to DDR5 later, but with a new motherboard to boot. In either case, the cost of the latest generation CPU, RAM, and motherboard will add up quickly.
Thanks to Intel’s decision to make the new CPUs DDR4 and DDR5 compatible, gamers have the choice to stick with DDR4 RAM for a while before upgrading in the future. That said, AMD users will be forced to make the change once they get their hands on the Zen 4 processors. This may seem annoying, but if the history of RAM has taught the PC community anything, it’s that once the RAM standard changes from one iteration to another, at some point gamers will have to bite the bullet and get on board. to jump. For those who would rather have the best gaming experiences now than later, an early move with AMD may be the best move. For those who would rather save some money and not feel the pressure or need for a better PC, waiting for likely sales and natural price drops while building with Intel is a great option that will eventually bring a user to the DDR5. RAM world.
Source: Benchleaks/Twitter
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