DDR4 vs DDR5 Gaming Performance and Cost Efficiency Analysis
The value of DDR4 memory exists as a relevant topic for PC builders because DDR5 prices continue to change through time. The team at Linus Tech Tips performed actual gaming tests to assess whether DDR5 delivered better performance results at higher resolution settings in comparison to DDR4.
The benchmarks focused on 1440p resolution, a scenario where the system is typically limited by the Graphics Processing Unit GPU rather than the CPU or memory. The testing used a Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card across three testing platforms to establish a standard testing process.
- Intel Platform Core i7 12700K with 16 GB DDR4.
- Modern AMD AM5 Ryzen 7 7800X3D with 16 GB DDR5.
- Legacy AMD AM4 Ryzen 7 5800X with 16 GB DDR4.
The gaming results showed the system achieved average FPS and 1% Lows performance metrics. The gameplay performance gap between DDR4 and DDR5 showed minimal difference. The average frame rates across all tested systems showed almost no difference. The primary technical advantage for DDR5 appeared in the 1% Low benchmarks a metric for frame consistency and stuttering. The Ryzen 7 7800X3D with DDR5 showed a roughly 10% lead in this specific area.
The AM5 system based on DDR5 showed additional improvements that extended beyond frame rate enhancements. The system delivered two main advantages through its faster shader compilation times and more responsive operating system performance. The actual gaming visuals at 1440p remained unchanged through these graphical enhancements.
DDR4 platforms remain considerably more budget friendly. According to the test data, choosing a DDR4 configuration generates substantial financial savings
- Intel Systems Approximately 15% cheaper than DDR5 counterparts.
- AM4 Systems Up to 20% cheaper than transitioning to the AM5 platform.
In contemporary AAA games at 1440p and 4K resolution, the graphics card stands as the most essential component for achieving optimal performance. The DDR5 memory offers improved frame consistency along with enhanced system responsiveness, butDDR4 memory serves as the more economical option for users who prioritize average frame rate performance. In high resolution gaming scenarios, gamers should prioritize GPU power over their memory selection.
