RAM Shortage Revives DDR4 With New Intel and AMD CPUs

The RAM shortage brings DDR4 back A global RAM shortage is reviving interest in DDR4, a decade-old memory standard that had seemed due for retirement. As memory prices rise, older RAM is becoming relevant again—not only as a way to keep existing systems in use, but as an option for people choosing new hardware. The shift is reflected in new CPUs from Intel and AMD that support older RAM, sockets, and chipsets. Rather than requiring everyone to move to the latest memory platform, these processors make it possible to build or upgrade around older components. That gives DDR4 a new role at a time when the shortage is affecting the market. The return is striking because DDR4 is roughly a decade old, yet the current squeeze is making it harder to dismiss. With RAM prices climbing, support for older memory can offer buyers another path when selecting a processor and platform. The shortage is not just raising costs; it is also changing what hardware manufacturers support and what shoppers may consider. For now, DDR4’s comeback shows how a global supply crunch can extend the life of a technology that many expected to leave behind. New Intel and AMD CPUs support older platforms Intel and AMD are reportedly introducing new CPUs designed to work with older RAM, sockets, and chipsets. That could offer an upgrade path for people whose existing systems use DDR4, rather than requiring them to replace their memory as well as their processor. The reported move comes as DDR4 returns to attention amid rising RAM prices. New processors compatible with older platforms would let PC builders and owners make use of hardware they already have, including older motherboards and memory. That matters because a CPU upgrade can otherwise involve replacing more components when a newer platform does not support the existing setup. The report describes the processors as support for older platforms, but does not provide specific CPU models, release dates, or details about which sockets and chipsets will be compatible. It also does not say how many generations of existing hardware will be supported. For now, the reported plans point to Intel and AMD responding to renewed interest in DDR4 by bringing CPUs to older platform configurations. The comeback fits a wider memory shortage DDR4’s return is part of a broader squeeze on memory, not a shift happening in isolation. RAM prices have been climbing amid a global memory shortage, and the pressure has reached the market for older components as well as newer ones. Bringing back support for DDR4 gives people another option as manufacturers and buyers contend with that shortage. The revival also shows how demand for memory can reshape decisions about platforms. New Intel and AMD CPUs are being made for older RAM, sockets and chipsets, allowing DDR4 to remain relevant even as the hardware around it moves forward. That does not resolve the shortage or stop price hikes, but it extends the life of systems and parts built around an earlier generation of memory. For now, the DDR4 comeback belongs alongside the ongoing updates on rising RAM costs and the wider supply crunch. The shortage is affecting choices across the memory market, making older technology part of the current conversation again. Article and report details “Decade-old RAM is making a comeback” was written by Stevie Bonifield and published on October 10, 2026, at 12:50 AM GMT+3. It is part of The Verge’s RAM price hikes: the latest on the global memory shortage coverage, which collects updates on the global memory shortage. Bonifield is a news writer covering consumer technology. Before joining The Verge, Stevie started out at Laptop Mag, writing news and reviews about hardware, gaming, and AI. The article’s focus is reflected in its subtitle: the RAM shortage is bringing back DDR4, alongside new Intel and AMD CPUs for older RAM, sockets, and chipsets. The Verge lists the story in its Gaming, News, and Tech sections. Its accompanying image is credited to Cath Virginia / The Verge and Getty Images. The article page also displays a comments count of 2525, labeled “Comments (All New).”