DDR5

PC Builds

The current mainstream generation of computer system memory (RAM), offering higher bandwidth than the previous DDR4 standard. DDR5 is keyed differently and runs at a different voltage, so it is not physically or electrically interchangeable with DDR4 — a DDR5 stick won't fit a DDR4 slot, and a board accepts only one type. Spec note: DDR5 speeds are quoted in MT/s (for example 5600 or 6000), with higher numbers meaning more bandwidth. Concrete example: an AM5 or modern Intel build requires DDR5 and won't accept your old DDR4 kit. Buying impact: your CPU and motherboard dictate which memory type you must buy, so confirm DDR4-vs-DDR5 before purchasing RAM, and check the board's supported speeds rather than chasing the fastest kit, since real-world gains taper off.