Quick Answer

For Randburg builders, DDR5 is now often priced close to or below DDR4 on a like-for-like basis, because DDR4 production is winding down while DDR5 has scaled into the mainstream - and for any new AM5 or Intel build, DDR5 is required anyway. A 32GB DDR5-6000 kit runs around R1,400-R2,000 locally. Pair it with a Ryzen 5 7600 and an RX 9070 XT for 100-140 FPS at 1440p Ultra. DDR4 only makes sense on older AM4 boards now.

Why DDR5 caught up

DDR4 is mature and its production is being scaled back as makers pivot to DDR5 and AI memory, keeping DDR4 prices from falling much further. DDR5 scaled up as the standard, narrowing the gap so comparable kits are often priced similarly. Since new platforms require DDR5, the comparison is mostly academic for fresh builds.

What to pair with DDR5

For a Randburg build, 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 speed - do not pay extra for 7200, which usually runs slower on AM5. A quality 750W PSU and a 1TB Gen4 SSD complete a balanced machine.

DDR5 capacity and stability

32GB is the right capacity for modern gaming and multitasking; 16GB suffices for esports on a budget. Buy a kit on your motherboard's QVL and enable EXPO in BIOS - without it, the RAM defaults to a slow 4800 MHz. All these parts are stocked locally at Evetech with delivery to Randburg.

FAQ

Is DDR5 cheaper than DDR4 in SA now?

On a like-for-like basis it is often close or cheaper, because DDR4 production is winding down while DDR5 scaled into the mainstream. New AM5 and Intel builds require DDR5 regardless.

What is the best DDR5 speed for Ryzen?

DDR5-6000 CL30 - it runs 1:1 with Infinity Fabric on AM5 for the best real-world performance. DDR5-7200 usually forces a slower 2:1 ratio on Ryzen, so it is not worth the premium.

How much DDR5 RAM do I need for gaming?

32GB DDR5-6000 (around R1,400-R2,000) is the right capacity for a new gaming build. 16GB still works for esports and lighter use, with the option to add a matched second kit later.

TIP

Randburg build, choose DDR5-6000 CL30 on AM5 from Evetech and enable EXPO in BIOS - it runs 1:1 with Infinity Fabric, so you get the full rated speed without paying for slower 7200 kits.