DDR4 or DDR5: which should you buy in 2026?
The right answer depends mostly on your motherboard, not on which is newer.
Check what your PC takes
DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable: they use different slots, and a motherboard supports one or the other. Look up your motherboard model on its maker's website, or check the label printed on your existing sticks.
When DDR4 makes sense
- You already have a DDR4 motherboard and only need more capacity.
- You want to avoid replacing the motherboard (and possibly the CPU).
When DDR5 makes sense
- You're building a new PC on a current platform, since recent desktop platforms use DDR5.
- You can find a bundle that includes the memory.
Price pressure on both
Both types have risen sharply. TechRadar reported a 24% quarterly rise for DDR4, and TrendForce says suppliers continue to prioritise server products, keeping the overall market undersupplied.
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Sources
- TechRadar: DDR4 up 24% in the last quarter
- TrendForce: memory contract prices keep rising in 4Q26 (30 Sep 2026)
Sources checked 15 October 2026.