DDR5 RAM was released to the public on November 4 this year, together with Intel’s “Alder Lake” 12th -generation processors.
This new generation of DDR RAM was first announced around four years ago and has been sought after by many enthusiasts worldwide.
That is why it was a breakthrough when it finally got released this year.
DDR5 is set to supersede DDR4 as the new mainstream standard of memory.
It offers several improvements over DDR4, including higher speeds, lower latencies, increased bandwidth, higher densities, and improved power efficiency.
DDR5 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor, DDR4 RAM, because of the many benefits it offers.
How Much is a DDR5 RAM?
The average price for a 32GB DDR5 RAM is around $280 to $400. A recommended budget to purchase DDR5 would be in the range of $200-$300 for a name brand like Corsair and Polaris.
| Average Price | Amount Of Ram | |
| Low End DDR5 Ram | $136.99 | DDR5-4800 16 GB |
| Mid Range DDR5 RAM | $280 – $400 | DDR5-4800 32 GB |
| High End DDR5 RAM | $428 | DDR5-4800 32 GB |
If you want to go all-out for the best performance for your high-end gaming rigs to workstations and servers, then you can spend up to $428 for Polaris RGB Sync DDR5-4800 32GB manufactured by GeIL.
This DDR5 is designed to deliver RGB illuminated high-performance DDR5 gaming memory.
To ensure the greatest compatibility and reliability among the newest Intel and AMD motherboards, GeIL has worked closely with motherboard manufacturers.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a more affordable option, Crucial offers DDR5-4800 16GB.
It’s a great choice if you’re looking for reliable performance and stability without breaking the bank at only $136.99.
Best DDR5 RAM Brands
In the world of PC components for gamers, Corsair has earned the reputation to be the best RAM brand over the years. Other reliable and trustworthy brands include Crucial, Polaris, and runner-up brands like TeamGroup is getting competitive.
Below are some of the best DDR5 models today with their performance and corresponding price points.
| Brands | Performance | Price |
| Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB | 5200MHz | $349.99 |
| G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32GB | 6600MHz | $309.00 |
| Corsair Vengeance 32GB | 5200MHz | $139.99 |
| GeIL Polaris RGB 32GB | 4800MHz | $349.99 (out of stock) |
Motherboard Models that Supports DDR5
Motherboard manufacturers are slowly releasing models that support the new DDR5 standard. Mainstream motherboard companies like Asus, GIGABYTE and MSI are releasing new motherboards for DDR5.
Here are some of the best motherboards that have been released so far with their prices:
| Motherboard Brands | Price |
| ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero WiFi | $599.99 |
| GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS Master | $469.99 |
| ASUS ROG Strix Z690-I Gaming WiFi | $439.99 |
| MSI MPG Z690 Carbon WiFi Gaming Motherboard | $399.99 |
DDR5 vs DDR4 Key Differences
DDR5 RAM offers several benefits over DDR4, including higher speeds and improved power efficiency. It is expected to take the place of DDR4 as the new mainstream standard, but here are the major differences between the two:
| DDR4 | DD5 | |
| Average Price | $100 – $150 | $200 – $300 |
| Speed | 1,600 MHz – 3,200 MHz | 4,800 MHz – 6,400 MHz |
| Maximum Capacity | 32 GB | 128 GB |
| Power Consumption | 1.2 Volts | 1.1 Volts |
DDR5 vs DDR4 Price
The average price for DDR4 is around $100 to $150 and is almost widely available in different capacities, speeds, and specifications.
On the other hand, DDR5 offers a significantly higher price point with an average of around $200 to $300. This is due to the high demand and limited supply of DDR5 currently available on the market.
DDR5 vs DDR4 Speed
DDR4 RAM has a typical speed of around 1,600MHz up to 3,200MHz, while DDR5 has around 4,800MHz up to 6,400MHz.
DDR5 RAM is designed to operate at higher speeds for better performance, but it can also be overclocked to reach even higher speeds.
DDR5 vs DDR4 Capacity
The maximum limit for DDR4 is 32GB, while DDR5 can go up to 128GB – a significant increase in capacity. This will be especially useful for those who run multiple applications at once.
DDR5 vs DDR4 Power Consumption
DDR5 uses lower voltages than DDR4, which means less power is required to run it. The predecessor requires 1.2 volts, while DDR uses only 1.1 volts.
This translates into lower temperatures and better efficiency of the entire system since there’s more energy directed towards processing tasks rather than running memory.
Where to Buy DDR5 RAM
As the market for DDR5 RAM continues to expand, more retailers are starting to offer DDR5 products online. With the most popular DDR5 models sold out, here are some of the best places to buy DDR5 RAM.
| ADATA DDR5 (PC5 38400) 4800MHz 16GB | $337.80 |
| CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR5 SDRAM DDR5 | $309.99 |
| Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 DRAM 5200MHz | $349.99 |
| Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 DRAM 5200MHz | $314.99 |
| Dominator Platinum RGB First Edition 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 DRAM 5200MHz | $359.99 |
| Dominator Platinum RGB 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 DRAM 5200MHz C38 Memory Kit — White | $349.99 |
| Vengeance 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 DRAM 5200MHz C38 Memory Kit — White | $314.99 |
| Crucial 8GB DDR5-4800 UDIMM | $67.99 |
| Crucial 16GB DDR5-4800 UDIMM | $136.99 |
| Crucial 32GB DDR5-4800 UDIMM | $273.99 |
| Crucial 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) DDR5-4800 UDIMM | $136.99 |
| Crucial 32GB Kit (2 x 16GB) DDR5-4800 UDIMM | $273.99 |
Is DDR5 RAM Worth The Money?
DDR5 RAM is indeed worth the money as it offers many advantages and benefits over DDR4. In a nutshell, DDR5’s performance, power consumption, speed and latency are significantly better than DDR4.
However, with the high price tag and limited supply, it may not be worth it for everyone just yet.
Those looking to upgrade their systems soon should wait until DDR5 prices come down and more models become available.
For non-gamers who are not looking for the latest technology or do not have a high-end system to take advantage of DDR5 RAM speeds, DDR4 will still serve them well enough in their daily tasks.
Frugalanswers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.
