If you’ve tried buying DDR4 memory lately, you’ve probably noticed higher prices and lower stock levels. For years, DDR4 was the go-to memory standard for desktops and laptops affordable, reliable, and easy to find. But in 2025, that’s no longer the case. Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes, and why DDR4 prices in Canada are now climbing sharply.
1. Manufacturers Are Shifting to DDR5
The biggest factor is that major DRAM manufacturers — Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix — are phasing out DDR4 production to focus on DDR5, LPDDR5X, and high-bandwidth memory (HBM).
Micron, for example, has already announced the end of DDR4 shipments by early 2026, marking the end of a decade-long standard.
For producers, DDR5 offers higher profit margins and aligns with demand from newer platforms like Intel’s 13th and 14th-gen Core CPUs and AMD’s AM5 architecture. As a result, the global output of DDR4 chips is being deliberately reduced.
Fewer wafers = less DDR4 supply = higher prices.
2. DDR4 Demand Remains Strong in Canada
Even though DDR5 is now mainstream for new systems, millions of PCs and servers in Canada still run DDR4.
Businesses, schools, and home users with 10th- and 12th-gen Intel systems or Ryzen 5000 platforms can’t upgrade to DDR5 without changing their motherboards which often means replacing half the system.
That ongoing need keeps DDR4 demand high, while production falls.
This mismatch naturally drives up costs for both retailers and consumers.
3. AI and Data Center Memory Are Taking Over Production Lines
Another trend pushing DDR4 out of fabs is the explosive demand for AI-optimized memory.
Modern AI training clusters use HBM and DDR5 ECC modules by the thousands, consuming manufacturing capacity that once served consumer DDR4 products.
The result?
DDR4 chip availability tightens further as fabs prioritize enterprise and data-center memory, where margins are much higher.
4. Small Manufacturers Are Filling the Gap at a Premium
With large DRAM makers stepping back, smaller and regional producers have started to fill the void.
While this helps maintain some supply, their production costs are higher, and yields are lower, which translates to premium pricing at retail.
You may notice more unfamiliar brands appearing in listings across Canada. While many of them are reliable, buyers should double-check warranty terms, compatibility, and performance ratings.
5. Retail and Reseller Dynamics Are Amplifying Prices
Once scarcity hits, other market dynamics take over:
- Retailers raise prices to manage limited inventory.
- Resellers and scalpers stockpile popular DDR4 kits to sell later at a markup.
- Buyers start purchasing early to “lock in” pricing before the next increase.
This feedback loop keeps prices high, even if demand cools slightly.
6. What Canadian Buyers Should Expect
If you’re in Canada and planning to upgrade or maintain a DDR4 system, expect the following:
- Higher prices on common kits (8 GB × 2, 16 GB × 2) from brands like Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, and G.Skill.
- Reduced selection — especially in high-frequency (≥3600 MHz) or low-latency modules.
- Limited restocks — with longer lead times for bulk or business orders.
- End-of-life models — some DDR4 SKUs may soon disappear permanently.
7. What to Do If You Still Use DDR4
- Buy sooner rather than later — waiting may cost more in a few months.
- Check compatibility lists for your motherboard before ordering.
- Consider buying extra sticks now if you plan to keep your system for a few more years.
- For new builds, shift to DDR5 if possible it’s now more available and often similarly priced per gigabyte.
8. Looking Ahead
As DDR5 becomes the new standard across desktops, laptops, and servers, DDR4 will move into legacy status, much like DDR3 today. Prices will likely remain elevated through 2026, after which availability will shrink even further.
If you rely on DDR4 hardware for production, testing, or enterprise use, the time to secure supply is now.
Conclusion
The DDR4 era is ending, but not without turbulence.
Reduced manufacturing, AI-driven memory demand, and persistent legacy use have combined to make DDR4 RAM harder to find and more expensive than expected in 2025.
At MemoryShop.ca, we help Canadian businesses and IT professionals source the right memory.