DDR4 Cost Now More Than DDR5, Makes Makers Think Again About Stopping It
A big change in the memory market has made old DDR4 RAM cost more than newer DDR5. This jump in price has made making DDR4 worth it again, and some firms are thinking twice about switching to just the new stuff.
Taking a Close Look at the Price Jumps
In the past two months, the going rate for DDR4 has shot up a lot. The price for some well-liked types has almost tripled:
- 8GB DDR4-3200 Chip: Went from $1.75 in early May to more than $5 now.
- 16GB DDR4 Kit (2GB x 8): Went up from $3.57 to $8.80 in the same time.
What Makes the Price Go Up
This big price jump comes from two main things:
- Manufacturers are starting to scale back production of DDR4 memory chips, since DDR4 RAM is being discontinued and replaced by the newer DDR5 standard.
- Trade fights between the US and China affecting the supply line.
How Makers are Dealing With It
The market shows mixed ways of dealing with this shift. Some, like Nanya, keep making DDR4 to meet what people want. But big names like Micron are putting their work into making the newer DDR5.
The Market Now and What’s Next
While memory prices seem steady for now, the market stays touchy. Any new trouble in the supply line could push DDR4 prices up again.