Intel, AMD plan new CPUs supporting decade-old DDR4 RAM amid price surge
Gigabyte says Intel will revive LGA 1700 socket support for new processors arriving in early 2027, bringing back compatibility with older DDR4 memory alongside DDR5. AMD is taking a similar approach, with Gigabyte also announcing new AM4 motherboards tied to a 10th-anniversary relaunch of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D chip.
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DDR5 prices have spiked sharply compared to DDR4, making new CPU platforms that require DDR5-only memory a costlier upgrade path for consumers. By reviving DDR4 compatibility, Intel and AMD could let buyers get new processors without also absorbing expensive memory upgrades, though neither company has confirmed this reasoning directly.
- Intel's LGA 1700 socket, phased out in 2024, is set to return for new CPUs expected in early 2027 with DDR4 support.
- AMD is similarly backing DDR4-compatible AM4 motherboards alongside a reissued Ryzen 7 5800X3D chip.
- DDR5 RAM currently costs roughly 2.4 times more than comparable DDR4 kits, per pricing cited for Corsair Vengeance 32GB kits.
Crucial 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Desktop RAM — With DDR4 making a comeback thanks to new LGA 1700 chips, now's a smart time to consider stocking up on reliable DDR4 memory for budget-friendly upgrades. Crucial's DDR4 kits are a popular choice for building or upgrading PCs without jumping to pricier DDR5. It's a great way to extend the life of existing systems while CPU makers sort out their next-gen plans.
See Crucial 32GB DDR4 3200MHz Desktop RAM on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Stevie Bonifield, 2026-10-09
Published there as: “Decade-old RAM is making a comeback”
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