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Intel's Budget CPU Secret: Cheaper RAM!
9 Oct
Summary
- New Intel CPUs may use older DDR4 RAM for cost savings.
- DDR4 RAM is significantly cheaper than newer DDR5 memory.
- Intel confirms support for DDR4 memory for future processors.
Intel is reportedly planning to release new CPUs utilizing the existing LGA 1700 socket, a technology that has been available since 2021. This decision appears driven by the rising cost of computer memory.
The LGA 1700 socket supports both DDR5 and DDR4 memory. The prevailing theory suggests that upcoming processor refreshes will be configurable to use DDR4 RAM, a move to counteract the current AI-driven surge in memory prices. DDR4 is considerably more affordable than DDR5.
For instance, a 32GB DDR4 RAM kit is priced around $210, whereas a comparable 32GB DDR5 kit can cost over $480. Intel has not officially confirmed this strategy, but Vice President Robert Hallock indicated that Raptor Lake chips are intended for long-term use, partly due to continued interest in DDR4.
This approach aligns with current Intel offerings, many of which already support DDR4. Although DDR5 offers superior speed, DDR4 remains adequate for most modern PC gaming needs, with DDR5 providing only a 1-10% FPS improvement depending on resolution and graphics card.
