DDR5 vs DDR4: DDR5 is the smarter buy for new builds now

The price gap has shrunk to under 20%, making DDR5 worth the small premium for new systems. You get 10-20% more performance in CPU-heavy tasks like gaming or video editing, though everyday use feels the same. DDR4 is a dead platform with limited upgrade paths and future scarcity, so go DDR5 if you’re building fresh.