Is DDR4 back? 64GB RAM PCs see major fall, but new data suggests hope is on the horizon

64GB RAM PCs fell 18% as memory costs climbed sharply 32GB systems also slipped, while 16GB machines gained ground in CPU-Z's survey 24GB RAM recorded the fastest growth, despite its tiny market share Rising memory prices are changing how much RAM consumers are willing to buy, with fewer PC users op

<![CDATA[ <article> <ul><li><strong>64GB RAM PCs fell 18% as memory costs climbed sharply</strong></li><li><strong>32GB systems also slipped, while 16GB machines gained ground in CPU-Z's survey</strong></li><li><strong>24GB RAM recorded the fastest growth, despite its tiny market share</strong></li></ul><p>Rising memory prices are changing how much RAM consumers are willing to buy, with fewer PC users opting for expensive, high-capacity memory.</p><p>A CPU-Z hardware survey shows that the number of computers with 64GB of RAM fell by 18% year over year, while 32GB systems declined by 2.5%.</p><p>Yet DDR4 still accounts for 54.5% of surveyed computers, compared with 32.9% for <a href="https://www.techradar.com/computing/best-ddr5-ram">DDR5</a>, suggesting the older memory standard remains far from disappearing.</p><h2 id="rising-ram-prices-are-changing-consumer-preferences">Rising RAM prices are changing consumer preferences</h2><p>The decline in larger memory capacities comes as AI infrastructure continues consuming substantial quantities of DRAM, putting pressure on supplies available to conventional PC manufacturers.</p><p>As memory becomes more expensive, buyers appear increasingly willing to settle for smaller capacities rather than pay premium prices for additional RAM.</p><p>The shift is particularly noticeable among 16GB computers, which recorded a 12.9% annual increase in the survey.</p><p>Systems with 8GB of RAM also grew by 5.5%, despite the capacity becoming increasingly inadequate for demanding applications and modern gaming.</p><p>Although 8GB computers have largely disappeared from mainstream performance-oriented builds, they remain relevant to older machines, basic office computers, and extremely inexpensive systems.</p><p>Meanwhile, 24GB PCs recorded an even stronger increase of 19.7%, suggesting that some buyers are choosing intermediate capacities instead of purchasing more expensive 32GB memory kits.</p><p>Despite these changes, 32GB remains the most common capacity among surveyed computers, accounting for 37.2% of CPU-Z's active user base.</p><p>Computers with 16GB followed with 33%, while 8GB systems represented approximately 11% of the surveyed population.</p><p>For years, 16GB has served as the standard capacity for many PC users, but 32GB has increasingly become the preferred choice for people running demanding applications and modern games.</p><p>The survey also reveals that 64GB computers account for 7.3%, compared with just 2.3% for 24GB systems.</p><p>Although 24GB experienced the strongest growth, its relatively small share indicates that this capacity remains considerably less common than established 16GB and 32GB options.</p><h2 id="ddr4-still-dominates-as-ddr5-adoption-progresses">DDR4 still dominates as DDR5 adoption progresses</h2><p>DDR4's continued dominance is partly explained by its long-established presence in desktop computers and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361">laptops</a>, with the standard remaining widely supported across existing hardware platforms.</p><p>DDR5 offers newer memory technology, but upgrading often requires compatible motherboards and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-processors">processors</a>, adding expenses for consumers considering a complete platform replacement.</p><p>Consequently, the continued popularity of DDR4 does not necessarily indicate that manufacturers are returning to the older standard or abandoning DDR5 development.</p><p>However, there is an important limitation to CPU-Z's findings because its hardware survey measures computers running the application rather than actual monthly PC sales.</p><p>Its statistics therefore describe the software's active user population and cannot establish precisely how consumers across the entire market are purchasing memory.</p><p>Nevertheless, the combination of declining 64GB adoption and increasing interest in smaller capacities suggests that memory affordability is becoming increasingly important when consumers choose their next PC. </p><p>Via <a href="https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/pcs-with-64gb-of-ram-plummet-18-percent-as-memory-prices-soar-cpu-z-install-base-data-shows-ddr4-making-a-surprise-comeback" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tom's Hardware</a></p><figure class="van-image-figure inline-layout" data-bordeaux-image-check="" ><div class='image-full-width-wrapper'><div class='image-widthsetter' style="max-width:676px;"><p class="vanilla-image-block" style="padding-top:31.51%;"><img id="diM9tpwF2Lz85R8q85CT78" name="tr-g_news" alt="Google logo on a black background next to text reading 'Click to follow TechRadar'" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/diM9tpwF2Lz85R8q85CT78-1920-80.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="676" height="213" attribution="" endorsement="" class="inline" /></p></div></div></figure> </article> ]]>