DDR5 Price Drops Make 32GB the New Baseline

After volatile spikes, DDR5 module pricing has settled into predictable tiers. For most 2024–2026 builds, 32GB (2×16GB) is the recommended starting point — enough for modern games, browser-heavy workflows, and light VMs.

Speed vs latency

Exotic 7200+ MT/s kits grab headlines, but diminishing returns appear quickly beyond 6000 MT/s on many platforms. Prioritize stable EXPO/XMP profiles and low CAS latency within your budget.

When to go 64GB

Video editors, 3D artists, and developers running containers or local LLMs should plan for 64GB. ECC remains a server/workstation concern — consumer AM5 and LGA1700 platforms stick with non-ECC UDIMMs.