Soaring DDR5 RAM prices are making budget PC builds more difficult than ever. Many major manufacturers like ASUS are ramping up production of DDR4 motherboards for the AM4 and LGA 1700 sockets to meet market demand. Users can find DDR4 components at much more reasonable prices compared to expensive DDR5 versions. This is a notable trend amidst escalating computer component costs. Returning to DDR4 motherboards is becoming a practical solution for many user segments.
Why are many brands returning to DDR4 motherboard production?
The computer component market is witnessing a significant shift as consumers seek alternatives to DDR5. According to the latest reports from Tom’s Hardware, many manufacturers are preparing to restart DDR4 motherboard production lines. The main reason stems from the uncontrolled price hikes of DDR5 RAM and SSDs, making it very difficult to stay within a $1,000 budget for an entry-level PC build. In this context, DDR4 motherboards are emerging as a much more economical and viable option. According to detailed information
Not just one company, but more than half a dozen motherboard and RAM manufacturers are reporting a significant increase in orders for DDR4 products. Two major motherboard manufacturers have confirmed to Tom’s Hardware that they are accelerating production and will maintain this momentum through the second half of 2026. This aligns perfectly with previous information regarding ASUS’s plans to expand production of DDR4 motherboards for the LGA 1700 and AM4 sockets. This shift shows that actual user demand is reshaping the market, forcing manufacturers to flexibly adapt to DDR4.
AM4 remains strong thanks to DDR4 motherboards that are 4 times cheaper than DDR5
Temporarily turning away from DDR5 does not mean users are regressing, but rather making a smart choice in the face of price volatility. Current DDR5 RAM prices are 4 to 5 times higher than DDR4 modules of the same capacity. This discrepancy makes upgrading or building a new PC system unnecessarily expensive. While DDR5 RAM prices remain high, DDR4 motherboards remain the optimal choice to balance performance and cost. Users can save a significant amount to invest in other components like graphics cards or faster storage instead of relying on DDR4 motherboards.
AMD’s AM4 platform is proving its lasting vitality, surging to nearly 40% market share and competing directly with the newer AM5 platform. Ryzen 5000 series CPUs, such as the Ryzen 5 5500 and Ryzen 5 800XT, still remain among the top 10 best-selling products on Amazon. This shows that the user community still trusts the performance of older chips when paired with a quality DDR4 motherboard. AMD has also re-released the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the AM4 socket launch, affirming its commitment to long-term support for this platform. You can find more information about motherboards and related products from ASRock.
| Feature | DDR4 | DDR5 |
| Price | Reasonable, stable | 4-5 times more expensive |
| Socket Support | AM4, LGA 1700 | AM5, LGA 1851 |
| Market Demand | Surging | Slowing due to high prices |
| Best For | Office PCs, budget gaming | High-end PCs, graphics |
For Intel’s LGA 1700 socket, the situation is similar as this platform has become as popular as LGA 1851 in many regions. The presence of both DDR4 and DDR5 versions on the LGA 1700 socket allows manufacturers to easily adjust DDR4 production to meet demand. Users do not need to wait for the latest technology to achieve a smooth experience, as DDR4 is still capable of handling daily tasks and high-level gaming. This is a clear signal that the market needs a price rebalance after recent sharp price increases, and DDR4 motherboards are the key.
The DDR4 trend is expected to maintain strong appeal through the end of 2026.
