Intel and AMD revive DDR4 support as RAM prices climb
Rising memory prices have led Intel and AMD to bring back support for DDR4, an older and less expensive RAM standard. Gigabyte announced that two motherboard lines will work with upcoming Intel chips on the LGA 1700 socket, which is expected to return in early 2027 with compatibility for both DDR4 and DDR5. AMD is also preparing new AM4 motherboards for its previous-generation, DDR4-capable platform.
DDR4 arrived in 2014 and was later replaced by faster DDR5. Intel’s LGA 1700 socket debuted in 2021 with 12th-gen Alder Lake, supporting both memory types; Intel shifted to DDR5-only in 2024. Gigabyte now says two motherboard lines will work with upcoming LGA 1700 chips expected in early 2027. AMD’s AM4, a prior-generation DDR4 platform, is also getting new motherboards, following August announcements tied to a Ryzen 7 5800X3D anniversary relaunch.
A 32GB DDR5 Corsair Vengeance kit was recently listed at $620, while the comparable DDR4 kit cost $260. DDR4 has faced smaller price increases than DDR5, making older memory more attractive during the shortage.
The revival may help budget-conscious PC builders, gamers, and small organizations delay costly DDR5 transitions. It could keep older systems useful longer and reduce pressure to replace working memory, though it may also slow adoption of newer, more efficient standards. Consumers still face high overall memory costs, and the benefit depends on availability and motherboard pricing.