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DDR4 and DDR5 are successive generations of Double Data Rate (DDR) synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) technology, widely used in personal computers and servers. DDR4 was introduced in 2014 as a significant upgrade over its predecessor, DDR3, offering improvements in power efficiency, performance, and density. It became the standard for most consumer and enterprise systems until the mid-2010s, when DDR5 began to emerge as the next evolutionary step.

DDR5 was officially launched in 2017 but gained broader adoption with the release of Intel’s 11th Gen Core processors and AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series in 2020. One of the key advancements in DDR5 is its increased data transfer rate, with support for higher speeds (up to 4800 MT/s or higher) compared to DDR4’s maximum of around 3200 MT/s. DDR5 also introduces a new memory architecture, including wider data buses (64-bit instead of 32-bit) and improved error-correcting code (ECC) capabilities, which enhance reliability in data-intensive applications.

Another notable feature of DDR5 is its reduced power consumption per operation, achieved through optimizations like a more efficient command and timing structure. The technology also supports higher memory capacities per module, with single-rank DDR5 modules now capable of up to 128GB, compared to DDR4’s typical limit of 64GB. Additionally, DDR5 introduces a new voltage standard of 1.1V (down from DDR4’s 1.2V), further improving energy efficiency.

Compatibility remains a critical consideration, as DDR5 is not backward-compatible with DDR4 sockets. Systems requiring DDR5 typically require updated motherboards and processors designed to support the new standard. While DDR4 continues to be widely used in budget and older systems, DDR5 is increasingly becoming the preferred choice for high-performance computing, gaming, and professional workloads where speed and efficiency are paramount.