Thursday, November 18th 2021

Report: DDR5 Already Facing Production Issues In Wake of Global Chip Shortages

DDR5 may soon have reason to be an even more expensive early-adopter piece of tech than it currently is, according to electronic component supplier 12chip. While semiconductor manufacturers worldwide grapple with logistics and components shortages, the DRAM market has been left somewhat unscathed - up to now. DRAM fabrication - even DDR5 - isn't done on leading-edge nodes but on older, more mature ones (such as 14 nm). According to 12chip, manufacturers are having no problem in scaling their DRAM manufacturing on these older nodes to meet demand.

However, DDR5 is being directly impacted by the current logistics issues due to lack of adequate Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) chips - which DDR5 has integrated in the DIMM proper. Currently, lead times for PMIC orders are estimated at 35 weeks, placing additional strain on system assemblers and DRAM manufacturers - and forcing delays and bottlenecks throughout the supply chain. Additionally, the fact that PMIC chips for DDR5 are ten times as expensive as equivalent DDR4 power management solutions doesn't bode well for future price action on DDR. Should this situation continue, higher prices for DDR5 modules are to be expected due to a deteriorating supply/demand ratio - particularly relevant if you're thinking about putting together a build based on Intel's Alder Lake platform. As always, take this report with a grain of salt.
Source: 12chip.com
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45 Comments on Report: DDR5 Already Facing Production Issues In Wake of Global Chip Shortages

#26
maxfly
It was no secret that ddr5 was unobtanium well before AL released. Going with a ddr4 mb was the obvious work around.
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#27
Prima.Vera
current DDR5 releases are pure garbage anyway with those ridiculous timings. It's even worst than when DDR4 was released and it was on pair with DDR3. I think is better to wait 1 or even 2 more years until things smooth down, even if I have a 10 years old i7 3770K with DDR3 system, who still kicks without issues.
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#28
TheinsanegamerN
ARFWhy are they doing it, though? :(
Manufacturers lying so that they can gouge the prices of their products due to fake shortages. What a surprise...

I think that's pretty self explanatory....
Posted on Reply
#29
AlwaysHope
So glad I got on to Rocket lake when I did only a few weeks back now. DDR4 & it's OC potential on that platform is another bonus.
Could see this supply chain problem coming months ago.
Off topic a bit but how does Alderlake go with win10?
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#30
Candor
So I guess I'll treasure the pc I have now :respect: It might be the last computer I ever own if things keep going on this way.

Having food on the table might be slightly more important than silicon in the coming year, lol.
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#31
15th Warlock
Only reason to go with DDR5 now is for heavy duty render applications that need tons of bandwidth, if you’re into gaming, DDR4 is more than adequate.

I’m so glad I went with DDR4 for my current 12900K build, saved me a ton of money and grief constantly refreshing Newegg waiting for DDR5 to be back in stock, I already had a killer memory kit that I was able to use in this new rig.

Perhaps it will be better to wait a couple more generations for DDR5 to become more mainstream and easier to purchase.
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#32
DeathtoGnomes
Salted.
Additionally, the fact that PMIC chips for DDR5 are ten times as expensive as equivalent DDR4 power management solutions
Not sure what the actual cost is each, but I bet its still less than a dollar which means $25 added into retail
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#33
Axaion
Shame theres no high end ddr4 boards like apex, unify-x, evga dark then.
totally didnt see that coming at all..
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#34
Muaadib
CrAsHnBuRnXpI still have the same ram when Skylake brought in DDR4.
Same, been using the same Patriot 3000Mhz kit that I bought for my 6600k up until a week ago. Replacing it with another Patriot 4400 kit.
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#35
Chrispy_
robert3892Lack of DDR5 is going to bite Intel on the butt and hurt their consumer sales for this quarter, (in my opinion).
They'll have cheaper DDR4 boards too, they're just starting with the ridiculously profitable premium flagship nonsense where everything has to be the best of the best regardless of whether it's obtainable or worth using.
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#36
Mysteoa
DenverDo you have the source of this information? From what I've seen even SteamDeck already uses LPDDR5, for me this is a sign that AMD has some good products ready to launch early next year.
Don't mix LPDDR5 and DDR5 just because some letters match.
What is the next CPU AMD is going to release? It's ZEN3D, which is just ZEN3 with cache, so I'm very sure it is still DDR4, and it would be for AM4. The release is somewhere in Q1 2022. It would be at least 6 months at the minimum before AMD will release a new CPU. They will want to milk AM4 as much as possible before bringing a new CPU gen on a new socket, and for bigger DDR5 stock. ZEN4 is confirmed to be AM5 with DDR5. At the earliest, it will be released Q42022, but I don't expect it before 2023Q1. Like usual, APU will be after that.
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#37
Why_Me
AxaionShame theres no high end ddr4 boards like apex, unify-x, evga dark then.
totally didnt see that coming at all..
Not super high end but decent boards none the less.

rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-a-gaming-wifi-d4-model/

www.asus.com/Motherboards-Components/Motherboards/TUF-Gaming/TUF-GAMING-Z690-PLUS-WIFI-D4/

www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-AERO-G-DDR4-rev-10#kf

www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-GAMING-X-DDR4-rev-10

www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z690-AORUS-ELITE-AX-DDR4-rev-10
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#38
XiGMAKiD
It seems a different hobby is needed, instead of upgrading you1-2 years old phone/PC how about buying a bike, have you ever try gardening, or hiking and camping sounds nice doesn't it? A long break from silicon related stuff might what just needed for this gLoBaL cHiP sHoRtAgEs
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#39
lexluthermiester
XiGMAKiDIt seems a different hobby is needed, instead of upgrading you1-2 years old phone/PC how about buying a bike, have you ever try gardening, or hiking and camping sounds nice doesn't it? A long break from silicon related stuff might what just needed for this gLoBaL cHiP sHoRtAgEs
Not everyone can ride a bike, has a green thumb or enjoys camping at all. How about we let grown adults choose their own hobbies...
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#40
maxfly
lexluthermiesterNot everyone can ride a bike, has a green thumb or enjoys camping at all. How about we let grown adults choose their own hobbies...
If only we were all so fortunate...my wife chooses mine for me. I refer to myself as the mule during spring and summer. My brief respite is winter. The crappiest season of all, Joy to the world!

Ill be waiting but ddr5 isn't my target(too faaar awaaay). My pipedream is a moderately priced gpu
If am5, meteor, ddr5 and a gpu line up juuuust right, ill play the lotto. After i buy a new rig hehe.
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#41
R-T-B
RavenmasterManufacturers lying so that they can gouge the prices of their products due to fake shortages. What a surprise...
If only the shortages were fake... I almost miss those days.
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#42
TheinsanegamerN
lexluthermiesterNot everyone can ride a bike, has a green thumb or enjoys camping at all. How about we let grown adults choose their own hobbies...
You're free to choose your own hobby, and I'm free to suggest you try a new hobby.
Posted on Reply
#43
lexluthermiester
TheinsanegamerNYou're free to choose your own hobby, and I'm free to suggest you try a new hobby.
And I'm free to suggest you mind your own business and get stuffed! It's not your place or anyone else's to tell people what to do with their time/money. But I digress, we're off-topic...
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#44
InhaleOblivion
RavenmasterManufacturers lying so that they can gouge the prices of their products due to fake shortages. What a surprise...
Duly noted. What's interesting is people are still willing to pay that premium just to claim first. It's like buying a first generation Tesla prior to the release of the Model S.
robert3892Lack of DDR5 is going to bite Intel on the butt and hurt their consumer sales for this quarter, (in my opinion).
Excellent point. I thought about upgrading one of my rigs, and then decided no need if it doesn't really give significant improvements in gaming. Myself and others are sitting on the bench this round.
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#45
seth1911
15th WarlockOnly reason to go with DDR5 now is for heavy duty render applications that need tons of bandwidth, if you’re into gaming, DDR4 is more than adequate.
Nah the performance between DDR3 2400 CL 10 and DDR4 3200 CL 14 is for the ass, tested with a I7 9700 :p

DDR4 was totaly useless if u use only the CPU, for the IGPU it was a upgrade :p
Ryzen 4300G with Vega 5? with DDR4 4133 nearly similar fast as a 3400G with Vega 11 DDR4 3200

But the price was on pair:
DDR4 4133 95$, 4300G 130$
DDR4 3200 60$, 3400G 164$
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