- Published on
Decade-old RAM is making a comeback
- Authors
- Name
- DeepHorus
Intel and AMD are preparing new processors that support DDR4 memory, a decade-old technology, as soaring RAM prices make upgrades difficult. Gigabyte said Friday that two motherboard lines will support upcoming Intel chips on the LGA 1700 socket. That socket debuted in 2021 with 12th Gen Alder Lake CPUs and handled both DDR4 and DDR5.
Intel abandoned LGA 1700 for a DDR5-only approach in 2024, but Gigabyte says dual-format support is returning. New LGA 1700 chips are expected to launch in early 2027. Intel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
AMD is pursuing a similar path. In August, Gigabyte announced new motherboards for AMD's last-gen AM4 platform, which supports DDR4. This coincides with the 10th-anniversary relaunch of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D CPU.
The backtrack stems from LGA 1700's cross-compatibility with both RAM types, an advantage over its successor that has recently become important. Intel may want to offer a new CPU that does not force users to buy expensive DDR5. DDR4 launched in 2014 and has been succeeded by faster DDR5.
The RAM shortage is changing the usual calculus. A DDR5 32GB Corsair Vengeance kit now costs $620, while the corresponding DDR4 kit costs $260. That is more than double the price for DDR5, even though DDR4 typically cost less in mid-2025.
DDR5 still offers higher speeds and better power efficiency. But those perks may not justify the current price of admission. Prices could take years to drop, making it a good time to hold onto DDR4 RAM.
