High DDR5 memory prices are driving many PC building enthusiasts towards the more affordable DDR4 alternative. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by technology giants. According to recent reports, Samsung, despite previously signaling a potential end to production, has decided to extend its DDR4 RAM production until 2026.

Why Did Samsung Decide to Continue DDR4 RAM Production?

The biggest driving force behind this strategic decision appears to be the uninterrupted demand, particularly from enterprise customers. According to industry reports, Samsung has signed a non-cancellable and non-refundable (NCNR) supply agreement with a major customer. This agreement secures fixed pricing and volumes for server and data center use, primarily for AI workloads.

This structure protects Samsung from price fluctuations and means the consumer market won’t suddenly be flooded with cheap DDR4 memory. Production will continue, but a large portion of it is already allocated to enterprise customers. A similar approach is reportedly being adopted by SK Hynix. Therefore, supply constraints in both DDR4 and DDR5 memory may continue for some time, keeping prices high.

However, there is some promising development for PC users. Intel’s 12th, 13th, and 14th generation processors still offer DDR4 support on compatible motherboards, extending the lifespan of older platforms. Motherboard manufacturers are also continuing to respond to this demand.

Nevertheless, not everyone expects prices to rise indefinitely. Sapphire PR manager Edward Crisler suggested that memory prices could stabilize within the next six months. This shows that gamers and users adapt well to situations during periods of hardware shortages. For now, extending DDR4 production offers temporary relief rather than a complete solution.

So, what are your thoughts on Samsung extending DDR4 production? Share your opinions in the comments!