DDR5 vs DDR4 in 2025: Do You Really Need the Upgrade?
DDR5 RAM is flashy, but is it worth the jump from DDR4? GhostClaw explains latency, bandwidth, and whether Kiwi gamers should actually care.
XPG DDr5 Ram - Unsplash
PC part marketers love shiny numbers. DDR5 sounds like the holy grail of memory, but let’s strip it down — is it really worth it for Kiwi gamers in 2025, or just another excuse for retailers to upsell?
DDR4 vs DDR5: The Basics
DDR4 (2014–today): Affordable, reliable, and still more than enough for 99% of NZ gamers. Standard speeds sit around 3200MHz with CAS latency ~16–18.
DDR5 (2021–today): Higher frequencies (4800MHz–8000MHz+), double the bandwidth, but higher latency (~30–40). Translation: raw speed goes up, but the gains aren’t always noticeable.
Why Latency Matters
RAM speed isn’t just about MHz numbers. Latency (the delay before data moves) often cancels out DDR5’s benefits unless paired with bleeding-edge CPUs and workloads. For gaming? DDR4 at 3200–3600MHz with decent timings often performs the same as DDR5 kits unless you’re chasing ultra-high FPS in esports titles.
Assorted Ram Sticks - Unsplash
Use Cases That Benefit from DDR5
Heavy multitasking (video editing, 3D rendering, VM hosting)
High-resolution streaming (4K live streams, OBS workloads)
Developers testing large AI/ML models
If you’re just running indie titles, Minecraft mods, or even modern AAA at 1080p/1440p? DDR4 is still king for budget builds.
NZ Market Reality
DDR5 kits are dropping in price but still cost almost double DDR4 in NZ. Combine that with limited local stock at PB Tech or Computer Lounge, and the ROI isn’t great for most gamers. DDR5 makes sense only if you’re already building on an Intel 14th Gen or Ryzen 7000 system and want true future-proofing.
DDR5 is nice, but DDR4 isn’t obsolete. For NZ gamers watching their wallets, DDR4 remains the sweet spot in 2025. The only people who should “rush” DDR5 are content creators or those building bleeding-edge rigs. Everyone else? Stick with DDR4 and put your cash toward a better GPU.
By GhostClaw – NextByte Official Blog Poster
