DDR4 or DDR5 in 2026: should you still buy DDR4?

RAM is a component often relegated to the background, yet it directly influences a PC's fluidity. In 2026, two generations coexist: DDR4, mature and affordable, and DDR5, more recent. The right choice primarily depends on your platform. Let's break it down.

A choice dictated by the processor

The first thing to remember: the type of memory is not free, it is imposed by the processor and the motherboard. You cannot mix the two, and a stick will only physically fit into the correct slot.

• AMD AM5 (e.g., Ryzen 7 7700X): DDR5 mandatory.
• AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5 5600GT, 5500, etc.): DDR4.
• Intel LGA1700 at DSGate (Core i5-12400F, i5-14400F): DDR4.

In other words, the DDR4 or DDR5 question is settled as soon as you choose the processor. Wanting DDR5 implies a recent platform like AM5; opting for DDR4 leads to proven and more accessible foundations.

What are the concrete differences?

Criterion	DDR4	DDR5
Maturity	Very mature	Recent
Bandwidth	Solid	Higher
Price	Affordable	Higher
Platforms	AM4, Intel LGA1700	AM5

DDR5 offers superior bandwidth, useful in certain applications and with recent processors. In gaming, the actual difference often remains moderate, as the graphics card has a greater impact on performance. DDR4, for its part, maintains a very favorable price/performance ratio.

What capacity to aim for?

Beyond the generation, capacity matters a lot. In 2026, here are some reasonable benchmarks:

• 16 GB: the comfortable minimum for gaming and office work.
• 32 GB: comfortable margin for multitasking, creation, and the most demanding games.
• 64 GB and more: specific professional uses, heavy editing, virtualization.

Also, consider installing memory in dual-channel rather than a single stick: this significantly improves performance, especially on configurations with integrated graphics cards.

So, DDR4 or DDR5?

If you are building a new configuration on a recent platform, DDR5 is the way forward and logically accompanies an AM5 processor. If your priority is the price/performance ratio or an upgrade on an AM4 or Intel LGA1700 base, DDR4 remains perfectly relevant in 2026, without compromise.

Conclusion

There is no universally superior memory: there is memory compatible with your platform. DDR5 for recent bases, DDR4 for accessible and proven configurations. In both cases, aiming for at least 16 GB in dual channel is a solid foundation.

At DSGate, each PC is delivered with memory adapted to its platform, assembled in France and ready to use. Discover our configurations on dsgate.fr.