The Solution to the RAM Crisis is… DDR4???
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Description
Thanks to Meter for sponsoring this video! Go to meter.com to book a demo now! With DDR5 prices spiking to infinity and beyond, we re-examined if it's worth buying in 2026 or if you're better off saving some money and buying into a dead platform. Intel's 12700K and AMD's 5800XT are both very reasonably priced, but just how good or bad is the price to performance ratio? Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com #1 - Intel Corsair Vengeance 3200MTs CL16 2x8GB DDR4 RAM: geni.us Intel Core i7 12700K CPU: geni.us Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler: geni.us ASUS B760M-AYW Motherboard: geni.us WD_Black SN850X 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD: geni.us ASUS PRIME Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Graphics Card: geni.us Fractal Design North Case: geni.us Cooler Master MWE 750W 80+ Gold PSU: geni.us #2 - AM5 Patriot Viper Venom 5600MTs CL40 2x8GB DDR4 RAM: geni.us AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D CPU: geni.us Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE CPU Cooler: geni.us ASRock B650M Pro AM5 Motherboard: geni.us WD_Black SN850X 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD: geni.us ASUS PRIME Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Graphics Card: geni.us Fractal Design North Case: geni.us Cooler Master MWE 750W 80+ Gold PSU: geni.us #3 - AM4 Corsair Vengeance 3200MTs CL16 2x8GB DDR4 RAM: geni.us AMD Ryzen 7 5800XT CPU: geni.us MSI B550M PRO AM4 Motherboard: geni.us WD_Black SN850X 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD: geni.us ASUS PRIME Radeon RX 9070 XT OC Graphics Card: geni.us Fractal Design North Case: geni.us Cooler Master MWE 750W 80+ Gold PSU: geni.us
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The video opens by framing a RAM pricing dilemma in 2026, arguing that DDR5 RAM pricing has surged and prompting a re-examination of whether buyers should still invest in a DDR4 build. The host lays out the two main contenders: an Intel-based system built around a 12700K paired with DDR4 memory, and an AMD-based setup using a 7800X3D with DDR5. They discuss the price differences, noting that the DDR4 option is cheaper on the surface but that DDR4 memory can be extremely volatile in price, sometimes spiking well above expected levels. The comparison is built around two nearly identical PC configurations, with identical cores and similar cooling, to isolate memory type as a variable. Throughout, the host emphasizes practical considerations like total cost of ownership, upgrade paths, and the realities of current market conditions rather than chasing peak theoretical performance. The discussion also includes a brief mention of AM4 and AM5 platforms, highlighting that AM5 might future-proof upgrades at a premium, while AM4 has some long-running support but dwindling new options. The segment concludes with a cautionary note that viewers should base decisions on today’s affordability and their own upgrade plans, rather than chasing marginal FPS differences. The sponsor segment for Meter follows, illustrating their enterprise-grade networking products and reiterating the value of scalable, predictable pricing for business environments. The wrap-up reiterates that both DDR4 and DDR5 paths have their own merits depending on budget, expected GPU bottlenecks, and targeted gaming resolutions, and it invites viewers to consider the RAM market dynamics before purchasing. Finally, practical recommendations are offered, including the potential advantage of dual-channel DDR5 in some scenarios and the broad takeaway that spending more now may or may not pay off later depending on future platform and memory controller improvements.
Topics · hardware · pc-building · gaming-pc · price-performance
Questions answered
- What is the main conclusion about using DDR4 vs DDR5 in a 12700K vs 7800X3D build?
- DDR4 can be a cost-effective option today if DDR5 prices remain high, and the performance gap between DDR4 and DDR5 is not always decisive in 1080p-1440p gaming; however, DDR5 may offer some advantages in certain titles and future upgrades, making the choice depend on budget and upgrade plans.
- Is AM4 upgrade path still viable according to the video?
- Yes, AM4 is still supported and can be a cheaper route today, but the video notes that future gains on AM5 may be incremental and depend on pursuing a full platform upgrade later.