Can I put DDR4 in a DDR5 motherboard?

No. DDR4 and DDR5 use physically different slots and require different motherboards, so they are not interchangeable. DDR4 is the standard for AMD AM4 and older Intel platforms. Check which type your board supports — usually printed on the board or in its manual — before buying.

How much DDR4 RAM do I need for gaming?

16GB (2x8GB) is the sensible baseline for modern gaming and the most popular choice. Move to 32GB if you stream while playing, keep many browser tabs and apps open, or do content creation. 8GB still runs older or lighter games but feels tight with today's titles.

What DDR4 speed should I buy?

A 3200MHz to 3600MHz kit is the value sweet spot for DDR4 — meaningfully faster than entry speeds without the premium of the fastest kits. AMD Ryzen builds especially benefit from matched RAM speed. Always check your motherboard's supported speeds, since the board and CPU cap what runs stably.

Should I buy a matched kit or single sticks?

Buy a matched kit (e.g. 2x8GB sold together) rather than adding single sticks over time. Matched modules are tested to run together, which avoids the instability that can come from mixing different speeds, timings or batches. It also makes enabling dual-channel straightforward.

What is dual-channel and why does it matter?

Dual-channel runs two memory sticks in parallel, roughly doubling memory bandwidth versus a single stick — a real boost in games and many apps. Install two matched sticks in the slots your motherboard manual specifies (usually the second and fourth, A2/B2). Two 8GB sticks beat one 16GB stick for performance.

Is DDR4 still worth buying, or should I wait for DDR5?

If your motherboard takes DDR4, DDR4 is the right and only choice — you can't drop DDR5 into it. DDR4 remains capable and cost-effective for gaming and everyday use. DDR5 only matters if you're building a new system on a current AM5 or latest-Intel platform that requires it.

How do I check if my new RAM is running at the right speed?

After installing, enter the BIOS and enable XMP to apply the kit's rated speed and timings. Boot into Windows and open a tool like CPU-Z to confirm the actual frequency and that both sticks show dual-channel. If it's running slower than rated, XMP probably isn't enabled.

Does DDR4 RAM come with a warranty in South Africa?

Yes — DDR4 kits bought from Evetech carry local warranty and are backed by South African support, so you're not dealing with overseas returns if something fails. Check the specific kit's warranty term on its product page, and keep your proof of purchase for any claim.

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DDR4 Memory

DDR4 Desktop Memory (RAM) 💾

DDR4 is the desktop memory standard for AMD AM4 and older Intel platforms — if your motherboard takes DDR4, this is the RAM you need. It's the proven, cost-effective choice for gaming and everyday builds, and remains widely available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB kits at speeds that suit most systems.

For gaming, 16GB (2x8GB) is the sensible baseline; step up to 32GB if you multitask heavily, stream, or do content creation. A 3200–3600MHz kit with a sensible CAS latency is the value sweet spot for DDR4, and XMP lets you switch to the rated speed with one BIOS setting. Run two matched sticks in dual-channel for the best performance.

DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable — they use different slots and boards — so confirm your motherboard before buying. Evetech stocks DDR4 desktop kits with local warranty and fast nationwide delivery; check your board's supported speeds below and pick a matched kit rather than mixing odd sticks.

How to Choose DDR4 RAM

Three things decide a DDR4 purchase: how much you need, how fast it runs, and whether your board supports it. Buy as a matched kit (not single sticks added over time), aim for dual-channel, and check your motherboard's supported speeds. The guide below covers each decision.

DDR4 only works in DDR4 slots — it is not cross-compatible with DDR5, which uses a different slot and different boards. DDR4 is the standard for AMD AM4 and older Intel platforms. Check your motherboard model or look at the RAM already installed before buying, since a DDR5 board cannot take DDR4 and vice versa.

8GB is enough for light use and older games but is tight today. 16GB (2x8GB) is the comfortable gaming baseline and the most common choice. 32GB suits heavy multitasking, streaming while you play, and content creation like video editing or running virtual machines. Going beyond 32GB rarely helps general gaming.

For DDR4, a 3200MHz to 3600MHz kit is the value sweet spot — fast enough to matter, without paying a premium for diminishing returns. AMD Ryzen systems in particular benefit from well-matched RAM speed. Check your motherboard's supported speeds, because the board and CPU set the ceiling for what will run stably.

CAS latency is how many cycles the RAM waits before it can act — lower is better at the same speed. But latency and speed work together, so a faster kit with a slightly higher CL can still feel quicker than a slow, low-CL one. For most buyers, pick a sensible speed first, then choose the lower CL within that bracket.

Yes — out of the box, RAM often runs at a slower default speed, not its rated one. XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) is a one-click BIOS setting that applies the kit's advertised speed, timings and voltage. Enable it after installing, then confirm the speed with a tool like CPU-Z so you're actually getting what you paid for.

How to Choose DDR4 RAM