DDR5 vs DDR4 Gaming: Which RAM is Best for Your SA PC Build?
Deciding on DDR5 vs DDR4 gaming RAM for your next build? We break down the performance, price, and future-proofing pros and cons for South African gamers. 🚀 Discover which memory gives you the best FPS for your Rand and if the upgrade is worth it right now. 💻
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Building a new PC in South Africa or planning an upgrade? You've probably hit the big question: DDR5 vs DDR4 for gaming. Is the shiny new tech worth the extra Randelas, or is trusted DDR4 still the king of value? It’s a critical choice for your rig's performance, especially with load-shedding schedules messing with our gaming time. Let's break down which RAM is truly the best for your next PC build. 🚀
Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 48GB (24GB x 2) 8400Mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory - White / Kit of 2 / 18 Customisable RGB Effects / Intel® XMP 3.0 Certified / Qualified by the world’s leading motherboard manufacturers / Patented Kingston FURY Infrared Sync Technology / KF584CU40RWAK2-48
R12999.00In Stock
ADATA XPG Lancer 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 RGB Memory - Black / 6000MHz / CL30 / RGB Heat Sink / AX5U6000C3016G-DCLARBK
R7999.00In Stock
KLEVV CRAS V RGB DDR5 32GB (2x16GB) 7200MHz CL34 A-DIE 1.4V Gaming Desktop Ram Memory SK Hynix Chip XMP 3.0 / AMD Expo Ready - White / KD5AGUA80-72B340J
R8199.00In Stock
KLEVV BOLT X 16GB (16GB x 1) 3600MHz DDR4 Desktop Gaming Memory / 288-Pin / Performance Enhancing / Best-in-class Memory Chips / Aluminum Heat Spreader / Ecosystem Compatibility / KD4AGU880-36A180T
R2599.00In Stock
Teamgroup T-Force VULCAN 32GB DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / 32GB (2x16GB) / 6000MHz / CL38 / FLBD532G6000HC38ADC01
R7499.00In Stock
Kingston Technology Fury Beast Black 32GB 5600MT/s DDR5 CL40 XMP 3.0 Ready Computer Memory Single Module KF556C40BB-32
R7199.00In Stock
What’s the Real Difference Between DDR4 and DDR5?
At a glance, DDR5 and DDR4 modules look similar, but under the hood, the technology is worlds apart. The main upgrade with DDR5 is a massive boost in potential speed and bandwidth. While top-tier DDR4 often taps out around 4000MHz, entry-level DDR5 starts at 4800MHz and climbs much higher. This extra bandwidth is great for feeding data-hungry modern CPUs.
It represents a significant evolution in memory technology, a massive leap from older standards like the once-popular DDR3 gaming RAM modules. DDR5 also operates at a lower voltage (1.1V vs 1.2V), making it slightly more power-efficient... a small but welcome bonus.
The DDR5 vs DDR4 Gaming Performance Showdown
So, does more speed automatically mean more frames in Apex Legends or Warzone? Well, it's complicated. For many games, especially when running at 1440p or 4K where your GPU is doing most of the heavy lifting, the difference between a good DDR4 kit and a DDR5 kit can be surprisingly small.
Teamgroup T-Force XTREEM 32GB DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / 32GB (2x16GB) / 8000MHz / CL38 / FFXD532G8000HC38DDC01
R8299.00In Stock
Kingston Fury Beast RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s DDR5 CL36 Desktop Memory - White / AMD Expo/Intel XMP / Plug N Play / Kit of 2 / KF560C36BWE2AK2-32
R8499.00In Stock
ADATA XPG Lancer Blade DDR5 5600MHz CL46 32GB (32GB) PC5-44800 RAM 288-Pins UDIMM Desktop Memory Black Heatsink / AX5U5600C4632G-SLABBK
R7199.00In Stock
Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 32GB (2x16GB) 7600Mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory - White / Kit of 2 / 18 Customisable RGB Effects / Infrared Sync Technology / KF576C38RWAK2-32
R8999.00In Stock
Kingston FURY Beast RGB 16GB DDR5 5200MT/s - Black / CL36 CAS Latency / AMD EXPO / 1x 16GB DIMM / KF552C36BBEA-16
R3899.00In Stock
KingSpec KS5600D5M13516G 16GB (16x1) 5600mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / 3D Hollow & Breathable Heatsink Design / Single Rank 288-Pin UDIMM DDR5 / KS5600D5M12516G
R3499.00In Stock
However, the DDR5 vs DDR4 gaming gap widens in specific scenarios:
- CPU-Bound Games: Titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator or strategy games that rely heavily on the processor see a real benefit from DDR5's faster data pipeline.
- High Refresh Rate Gaming: If you're chasing 240+ FPS in competitive shooters with a high-end CPU, DDR5 can help smooth out 1% lows, giving you a more consistent and responsive experience.
- Future-Proofing: New games are being developed with DDR5's capabilities in mind. Choosing it now means your platform is ready for what's next. ✨
TIP FOR YOU
Compatibility Check! 🔧
Before you buy, always check your motherboard and CPU compatibility. DDR5 RAM requires a newer motherboard (like an Intel Z690 Z790 or AMD X670 B650 series) and a compatible CPU. DDR4 and DDR5 slots are physically different, so you can't mix and match!
The Price Factor: Is DDR5 Worth the ZAR?
This is where the decision gets tough for many South African builders. For a long time, DDR5 carried a hefty price premium. While the costs are coming down, a high-performance DDR4 memory kit still offers incredible price-to-performance value. You can often get a faster, lower-latency 32GB DDR4 kit for the price of a basic 16GB DDR5 kit.
That said, the price gap is shrinking every month. As more systems adopt the new standard, the cost of even the speediest DDR5 RAM modules is becoming much more competitive, making it a more tempting option for new builds.
Our Verdict: Which RAM Should You Choose?
The right choice in the DDR5 vs DDR4 gaming debate really depends on your budget and your build.
Go for DDR4 if...
You're on a tight budget or upgrading an existing AM4/LGA 1200 system. It provides more than enough performance for an excellent gaming experience today and lets you allocate more of your cash towards a better GPU, which will have a much bigger impact on your framerates.
Kingston Fury Renegade 96GB (48GB x2) 6400Mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory / Kit of 2 / Intel® XMP 3.0 Certified / Supports Extreme Overclocking Potential / Aluminum Heat Spreader Design / KF564C32RSK2-96
R17999.00In Stock
XPG Lancer Blade RGB DDR5 6000MHz CL30 32GB (2x16GB) PC5-48000 RAM 288-Pins UDIMM Desktop Memory Kit Black Heatsink / AX5U6000C3016G-DTLABRBK
R7499.00In Stock
KLEVV BOLT X 16GB (16GB x 1) 3600MHz DDR4 Desktop Gaming Memory / 288-Pin / Performance Enhancing / Best-in-class Memory Chips / Aluminum Heat Spreader / Ecosystem Compatibility / KD4AGU880-36A180T
R2599.00In Stock
ADATA XPG Lancer RGB 48GB (2 x 24GB) DDR5 6800MHz Desktop Memory - Black / High-Quality Materials / Customizable RGB light effects / Supports Intel® XMP 3.0 / AX5U6800C3424G-DCLARBK
R9299.00In Stock
Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 32GB (16GB x 2) 7200Mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / Kit of 2 / 18 Customisable RGB Effects / Infrared Sync Technology / Intel XMP 3.0 certified / KF572C38RSAK2-32
R8999.00In Stock
Kingston Fury Renegade RGB 48GB (24GB x 2) 8400Mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory - White / Kit of 2 / 18 Customisable RGB Effects / Intel® XMP 3.0 Certified / Qualified by the world’s leading motherboard manufacturers / Patented Kingston FURY Infrared Sync Technology / KF584CU40RWAK2-48
R12999.00In Stock
Go for DDR5 if...
You're building a brand-new, top-tier PC with the latest Intel or AMD processor. You want the absolute maximum performance, especially for CPU-intensive tasks and high-FPS gaming, and you want a platform that will last you well into the future. ⚡
Ultimately, both are fantastic options. The key is to build a balanced system that fits your needs and your wallet.
Ready to Boost Your Rig? The DDR5 vs DDR4 gaming debate comes down to your budget and goals. Whether you're chasing value or peak performance, the right memory is waiting for you. Explore our full range of DDR4 and DDR5 RAM and give your PC the boost it deserves.
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ADATA XPG Lancer Neon 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 7200MHz Desktop Memory / High-Quality Materials / On-die ECC error correction / Supports Intel® XMP 3.0 / AX5U7200C3416G-DCLANRSG
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Teamgroup T-Force DELTA RGB 48GB DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / 48GB (2x24GB) / 7200MHz / CL34 / FF3D548G7200HC34ADC01
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KingSpec 16GB (16x1) 6000mhz DDR5 Desktop Memory / Power Management ICs (PMICs) / 1.1~1.35V Power-Saving Technology / 288-pin DIMM / KS6000D5P12516G
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Teamgroup T-Force DELTA RGB 32GB DDR5 CL38 Desktop Memory - Black / 32GB (2x16GB) / 6000MHz / CL38 / FF3D532G6000HC38ADC01
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ADATA XPG Lancer Blade DDR5 5600MHz CL46 16GB (1x16GB) PC5-44800 RAM 288-Pins UDIMM Desktop Memory Black Heatsink / AX5U5600C4616G-SLABBK
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Teamgroup T-Force VULCAN 32GB DDR5 Desktop Memory - Black / 32GB (2x16GB) / 6000MHz / CL38 / FLBD532G6000HC38ADC01
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Yes, DDR5 offers higher speeds and more bandwidth, which can lead to smoother gameplay and better frame rates in CPU-intensive games. The DDR4 vs DDR5 FPS difference varies by game.
No, you cannot. DDR5 and DDR4 RAM modules have different physical notches and are not cross-compatible. You need a motherboard that specifically supports DDR5 to use it.
For new high-end builds, yes. With DDR5 RAM price in South Africa becoming more competitive, it's a great way to future-proof your PC. For budget builds, DDR4 still offers excellent value.
The main performance difference is speed and bandwidth. DDR5 starts at higher frequencies (4800MT/s+) than DDR4 tops out at, leading to faster data processing for your CPU.
The FPS gain from DDR5 can range from negligible to over 10%, depending on the game, your CPU, and GPU. CPU-bound games at 1080p see the most significant benefit.
Not at all. DDR4 is still a powerful and cost-effective choice for many gaming PCs, providing excellent performance for current titles, especially for mid-range and budget builds.
To upgrade from DDR4 to DDR5, you will need to replace both your motherboard and your CPU, as they must be compatible with the new DDR5 memory standard.
