DDR4DDR5

DDR4DDR5 is not a formal standard but a shorthand used to discuss the two generations of DDR SDRAM that followed DDR3—DDR4 and DDR5—and the landscape in which computers may use one or the other depending on platform, budget, or motherboard support. The term reflects the transitional period as users and builders evaluate performance, cost, and compatibility between generations.

DDR4 memory was introduced in the mid-2010s and became the long-running mainstream standard. Typical DDR4 modules run at speeds from about 1600 to 3200 MT/s, with core voltages around 1.2 V. DDR4 modules come in various densities and timings, and ECC variants are available for servers and some workstations. The memory interface is a single 64-bit data channel per DIMM, with a burst length of eight, and devices rely on the motherboard and CPU memory controller for management and reliability features.

DDR5 memory, launched in the early 2020s, brings higher potential bandwidth and new architectural features. Data rates commonly range from 4800 to 8400 MT/s and beyond as the standard matures. DDR5 introduces dual 32-bit subchannels per DIMM, a burst length of 16, and higher densities, enabling greater memory capacity per module. Power management shifts from motherboard-based regulation to a PMIC on the module, and on-die ECC improves reliability. DDR5 also increases performance headroom for multi-core workloads and memory-intensive applications.

Compatibility between generations is generally limited: DDR4 and DDR5 use different signaling and pin configurations, and most consumer platforms support only one type at a time. Some motherboards and CPUs offer options that require choosing either DDR4 or DDR5 memory, rather than mixing the two. DDR4 remains common in cost-conscious builds, while DDR5 is increasingly favored for newer systems seeking higher bandwidth and future-proofing.