DDR3 motherboard sales are climbing quickly as DDR4 and DDR5 prices continue to rise

Over the past few months, memory prices have climbed at an alarming rate. DDR5 RAM prices have skyrocketed, making upgrades difficult for PC builders. DDR4, which was once the more affordable alternative, is also noticeably more expensive than before. Because of this ongoing memory crisis, some PC builders are now turning to much older platforms, and DDR3 is making a surprising comeback.

According to a report from Board Channels, motherboard vendors in China are seeing a sharp rise in demand for DDR3 motherboards. In fact, DDR3 motherboard sales are reportedly three times higher than they were before memory prices began climbing. Alongside standalone boards, bundled deals are also selling well, which pair these motherboards with Intel 6th to 9th generation CPUs.  

This highlights just how bad the current market has become. DDR5 RAM kits that could be purchased for a few hundred dollars not long ago are now priced well above $1,000. For many users, upgrading to the latest platform is no longer possible. While DDR4 prices are somewhat lower than DDR5, they are still unstable and much higher than before. In comparison, DDR3 remains widely available and far cheaper, making it the most affordable option right now. 

In any case, SK Hynix reportedly expects the memory crisis to last until at least 2028, while some other companies don’t anticipate improvements before 2031. With memory prices expected to rise by another 45% this year, the situation is likely to get much worse.