Quick Answer

DDR5 is now often cheaper than DDR4 in SA on a like-for-like basis because DDR4 production is winding down while DDR5 has scaled up as the mainstream standard - which matters for East London buyers choosing a platform. A 32GB DDR5-6000 kit runs around R1,400-R2,000 locally. For a new build, pair it with a Ryzen 5 7600 (around R3,800) and an RX 9070 XT for 1440p Ultra at 100-140 FPS. DDR4 only makes sense on older AM4 boards now.

Why DDR5 caught up to DDR4

DDR4 is mature and its production is being scaled back as makers pivot to DDR5 and AI memory, which has kept DDR4 from dropping much further. DDR5 scaled into the mainstream, narrowing the gap so that comparable kits are often priced similarly or with DDR5 ahead. For a new AM5 or Intel build, DDR5 is the only choice anyway.

What to pair it with

For an East London build on DDR5, a Ryzen 5 7600 with 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 and an RX 9070 XT delivers 100-140 FPS at 1440p Ultra in most AAA games. On Ryzen, 6000 CL30 runs 1:1 with Infinity Fabric for the best real-world speed - do not overpay for 7200, which usually runs slower on AM5. A quality 750W PSU rounds out the build.

FPS and use-case fit

For 1080p competitive play, the same RAM with an RTX 5060 Ti pushes well past 200 FPS in CS2 and Valorant. For 1440p AAA gaming, the RX 9070 XT tier is the sweet spot. DDR5-6000 suits both - capacity (32GB) matters more than chasing higher speeds. All parts are stocked locally at Evetech with delivery to East London.

FAQ

Is DDR5 cheaper than DDR4 in SA?

On a like-for-like basis it is often close or cheaper now, because DDR4 production is winding down while DDR5 scaled into the mainstream. For new AM5 and Intel builds, DDR5 is the only option anyway.

What CPU should I pair with DDR5 for gaming?

A Ryzen 5 7600 with 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 is a strong value pairing, running 1:1 with Infinity Fabric. Add an RX 9070 XT for 100-140 FPS at 1440p Ultra in most AAA games.

Do I need DDR5-7200 for gaming?

No - DDR5-6000 CL30 is the sweet spot for Ryzen because it runs 1:1 with Infinity Fabric. 7200 usually forces a slower 2:1 ratio on AM5, so it is not worth the premium.

For an East London build, choose DDR5 on an AM5 platform - a Ryzen 5 7600 with 32GB DDR5-6000 and an RX 9070 XT from Evetech delivers 1440p Ultra gaming with a long upgrade path.