DDR4 vs DDR5: what changes and which should you buy?
Speed, capacity, voltage, platform support and price of DDR4 and DDR5 for desktops, laptops, servers and workstations in 2026.
Key differences
| DDR4 | DDR5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard speeds | 2133 - 3200 MT/s (OC to 4000+) | 4800 - 6400 MT/s (OC to 8000+) |
| Voltage | 1.2 V | 1.1 V, on-DIMM power management (PMIC) |
| Module capacity | up to 32 GB UDIMM / 128 GB LRDIMM | up to 64 GB UDIMM / 256 GB RDIMM |
| Channels per DIMM | 1 x 64-bit | 2 x 32-bit sub-channels |
| Error correction | ECC only on ECC modules | On-die ECC on all modules + full ECC on server modules |
| Platforms | Intel 6th-11th Gen, AMD Ryzen 1000-5000, Xeon Scalable 1st-3rd Gen, EPYC 7001-7003, most NAS | Intel 12th Gen+, Ryzen 7000+, Xeon Scalable 4th/5th Gen, EPYC 9004/9005 |
Which to buy
You do not choose - the motherboard does. DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable (different key notch). Buy DDR5 for any new build, server or workstation; buy DDR4 to upgrade existing machines, older servers (DL380 Gen10, R740) and almost all current Synology/QNAP NAS units.
For servers, more channels populated beats higher MT/s: 8x 32 GB across 8 channels outperforms 4x 64 GB. For desktops/gaming, DDR5-6000 CL30 is the sweet spot on AMD AM5; Intel benefits from 6400-7200.
Popular part numbers we stock
- Desktop DDR5: Kingston FURY Beast, Corsair Vengeance, G.Skill Trident Z5
- Server DDR5 RDIMM: Kingston Server Premier, Samsung, Micron, SK hynix 32/64 GB 4800-5600
- Laptop DDR5 SO-DIMM: Kingston FURY Impact, Crucial
- NAS DDR4: Synology D4ES01/D4ECSO, QNAP RAM-xxDR4, Kingston ValueRAM ECC SO-DIMM
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put DDR5 in a DDR4 slot?
No. The modules have different notch positions and voltages. Check your motherboard or server QuickSpecs for the supported type and speed.
Is DDR5 worth it for a server?
For new servers, yes - DDR5 platforms offer up to 50% more memory bandwidth and larger modules, which directly helps virtualisation and databases. Upgrading an older DDR4 server is usually cheaper than replacing it.
