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DDR5

The current mainstream PC memory (RAM) standard, faster than DDR4 and not interchangeable with it.

DDR5 DDR5 is the current mainstream RAM generation; its key notch sits in a different spot than DDR4, so a DDR5 stick will not fit a DDR4 slot, and speed is rated in MT/s. DDR5 stick notch here DDR4 stick notch here Not interchangeable — a DDR5 stick won't fit a DDR4 slot Speed is rated in MT/s (e.g. 5600 or 6000) — higher = more bandwidth

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.

What it means when you're buying

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.

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