As we enter 2026, DDR5 has claimed the spotlight in marketing and new hardware releases, while manufacturers deprioritize older lines. For industrial procurement and system integrators, the core question is, “Is DDR4 still good in this changing ecosystem?” Balancing performance, rising acquisition costs, and declining vendor support, UniBetter explores whether sticking with legacy memory remains a smart strategic move.
DDR4 Supply and Price Situation
1. Manufacturers Exist and Shrinking Inventory
The global DRAM landscape has undergone a significant pivot. The “Big Three”—Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron—who control more than 90% of the DRAM market, have aggressively shifted capacity toward HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and DDR5 to meet AI infrastructure demands.
Micron has officially exited the consumer space by shuttering its Crucial brand. While Samsung and SK Hynix maintain limited DDR4 production, their output is strictly reserved for enterprise and industrial clients under NCNR (Non-Cancellable, Non-Returnable) contracts.
Notably, China’s CXMT shifted production to DDR5 in early 2025, leaving a massive supply vacuum. Today, Taiwan’s Nanya Technology and Winbond have become the primary “stabilizers,” upgrading their processes to support industrial and networking niche markets.
2. The Rare “Price Inversion” of DDR4
In a total reversal of typical technological cycles, DDR4 has entered a state of “price inversion” where it now costs more than its successor, mainly due to panic buying. For example, during mid-2025, the cost per GB for DDR4 was reported to be over 50% higher than DDR5.
This “scarcity tax” is driven by a massive installed base of legacy systems (such as AMD AM4 and Intel LGA 1700). Businesses are increasingly forced to pay this premium to avoid the even higher capital expenditure of full platform migrations.
DDR4 or DDR5: Comparing Technical Specs and Real-World Performance
Under these changing market conditions, should you continue investing in DDR4 or shift to DDR5 as it is becoming the mainstream standard? Below, we present a clear table outlining the key differences between DDR4 and DDR5 to help you better understand them.
| Feature | DDR4 (Legacy Standard) | DDR5 (Modern Standard) | DDR5 Impact on 2026 Operations |
| Release Year | 2014 | 2020 | / |
| Standard Speed | 2133-3200 MT/s | 4800-8800+ MT/s | AI Performance: Local AI/LLM workloads on “AI PCs” run faster on DDR5 due to the high bandwidth baseline. |
| Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.1 V | Efficiency: Lower voltage reduces heat in high-density 2026 server racks and extends battery life for corporate laptop fleets. |
| Power Management | On Motherboard | On-DIMM PMIC | Scalability: Integrated PMICs allow for cleaner power delivery, enabling stable 64 GB+ configurations. |
| Capacity | Max 32-64 GB/DIMM | Max 128-512 GB/DIMM | Infrastructure: Baseline RAM requirements have doubled; 32 GB is now the “standard” floor for productivity and industrial workstations. |
| Architecture | 1 x 64-bit channel | 2 x 32-bit channels | Data Flow: Dual independent channels per stick reduce bottlenecks in high-core-count CPUs (like Intel 15th/16th Gen & AMD AM5). |
| Production | Shrinking | Dominant | DDR4 RAM Price Inversion: DDR4 is now often more expensive per GB than DDR5 because consumer lines have been converted to DDR5/HBM. |
| Availability | Industrial Earmark | Mainstream Supply | Procurement Risk: Major manufacturers prioritize server clients via NCNR contracts, leaving consumers with low DDR4 stock. |
Strategic Decision Making: Who Should Invest in DDR4 Now?
From the above comparison, it is clear that DDR5 outperforms DDR4 in many aspects. However, this does not mean that purchasing DDR4 is unwise. In the current environment, the choice should be strategic. Here is a simple breakdown of when you might want to buy DDR4 and when it might be better to skip it.
1. The “Legacy Rescue” (Strategic Buy)
For many OEMs, a platform redesign is often more expensive than paying a premium for components. If your system relies on traditional DDR4 components, such as AMD AM4 (Ryzen 5000 series) or Intel LGA1700 (12th-14th Gen) platforms, maintaining a stock of DDR4 is essential for servicing existing contracts. These “legacy bastions” still offer incredible stability for specialized industrial controls where AI features are not a requirement.
2. The Used and Refurbished Market (Opportunistic Buy)
System integrators building low-cost NAS (Network Attached Storage) units or media servers may still find value in the used DDR4 market. Since DDR4 was the dominant standard for nearly a decade, the secondary market is vast. For basic networking hardware and simple IoT gateways, DDR4’s performance is more than sufficient.
3. The New Builder (Avoid)
If you are designing a new product line or upgrading a corporate fleet in 2026, DDR4 is an architectural “dead end.” Modern platforms like AMD’s AM5 and Intel’s LGA1851 (Arrow Lake/Panther Lake) have completely abandoned DDR4 support. Choosing DDR4 for a new build today locks the user out of future CPU upgrades and significantly reduces the resale value and longevity of the hardware.
Navigating the 2026 Memory Crisis with UniBetter
In a market where supply is tight and prices are volatile, the choice of a distribution partner is as critical as the choice of the component itself. UniBetter stands out in the electronics industry with strong global recognition:
- Ranked 21st on the 2025 Top 50 Global Electronics Distributors List
- Ranked Top 3 on the 2025 Top Asia Pacific Distributors List
In 2026, we will continue delivering top-tier support with the following advantages:
- Rapid Access to Components: Connected to 7,000+ reliable suppliers, even for rare or hard-to-find parts.
- Global Expertise: 30+ sourcing professionals deliver customized solutions worldwide.
- Unmatched Quality Assurance: Proprietary systems guarantee authentic components and identify high-risk DDR4 parts before they exit the market.
- Fast & Responsive Service: BOM quotes in under two hours and dedicated support.
- Versatile Industry Experience: Covering renewable energy, computing and storage, automotive, medical, IoT, industrial control, telecom, and power sectors.
Conclusion
Is DDR4 still good in 2026? The answer depends on your system needs. For maintaining legacy hardware, DDR4 can still be a strategic choice. UniBetter offers rapid sourcing, quality assurance, and tailored support to help you navigate the 2026 memory market. Reach out to us to keep your operations running smoothly!
References:
- https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/global-dram-and-hbm-market-share
- https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ddr4/samsung-to-delay-its-planned-ddr4-end-of-life-due-to-signing-a-long-term-non-cancellable-non-returnable-contract-with-key-customer-agreement-will-not-alleviate-consumer-shortage-supply-earmarked-for-server-clients
- https://www.notebookcheck.net/Samsung-extends-DDR4-RAM-production-but-high-memory-prices-and-shortage-likely-to-continue.1192023.0.html
- https://www.fudzilla.com/news/pc-hardware/61864-nanya-says-ddr4-shortage-is-helping-it-rake-it-in
- https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20251224PD224/ddr4-16nm-winbond-memory-production.html
- https://www.automate.org/ai/tech-papers/ddr4-prices-increase-to-all-time-high-in-summer-2025