DDR4 3600 vs DDR5 6000: Is the Gaming Upgrade Worth It?

I. Introduction

Currently, the prices of DDR5 memory are skyrocketing. For most users seeking “adequate performance,” assembling an AM5 platform PC (which requires DDR5) is not the wisest move. The best choices are Intel’s 12th–14th Gen Core or AMD’s AM4 platform.

For those choosing Intel 12th–14th Gen, there are two options: pairing it with a DDR4 motherboard and memory—the best route for absolute price-to-performance—or opting for a DDR5 motherboard and memory.

So, how much of a difference does choosing DDR4 versus DDR5 actually make in gaming performance? This is a question many are concerned about. This article will reveal the answer through gaming benchmarks for your reference.

II. Test Platform Configuration

The primary configurations are as follows:

• DDR4-3600 Platform: Intel Core i5-14600KF, ASUS ROG Strix B660-A Gaming Wifi D4, 32GB DDR4-3600.
• DDR5-6000 Platform: Intel Core i5-14600KF, Gigabyte Z790 Gaming X AX DDR5, 32GB DDR5-6000.

All other components were identical: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER, ADATA XPG S40G SSD, and Windows 10.

III. Gaming Benchmarks

Seven games were tested at 1080P Ultra settings. In the descriptions below, the comparisons refer to DDR4-3600 (CL18) vs. DDR5-6000 (CL30).

1. Spider-Man 2

• DDR4-3600: 92 FPS avg, 73 FPS 1% low, 11.2ms frame time.
• DDR5-6000: 124 FPS avg, 87 FPS 1% low, 8.4ms frame time.
• Result: The DDR5 platform achieved a 35% lead (32 FPS higher). Notably, the DDR5 platform saw 20% higher GPU utilization and lower CPU power consumption.

2. Cyberpunk 2077

• DDR4-3600: 167 FPS avg, 111 FPS 1% low.
• DDR5-6000: 207 FPS avg, 146 FPS 1% low.
• Result: DDR5 leads by 24% (40 FPS higher). GPU utilization on the DDR5 platform was 20% higher, indicating much less of a bottleneck.

3. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II

• DDR4-3600: 238 FPS avg, 187 FPS 1% low.
• DDR5-6000: 271 FPS avg, 227 FPS 1% low.
• Result: DDR5 leads by 14% (33 FPS higher) with significantly better 1% lows.

4. Hogwarts Legacy

• DDR4-3600: 62 FPS avg, 36 FPS 1% low.
• DDR5-6000: 72 FPS avg, 43 FPS 1% low.
• Result: DDR5 leads by 16% (10 FPS higher) and reduces frame time by 3ms.

5. Stellar Blade

• DDR4-3600: 217 FPS avg, 180 FPS 1% low.
• DDR5-6000: 230 FPS avg, 187 FPS 1% low.
• Result: A smaller gap here, with DDR5 leading by 6% (13 FPS higher).

6. Starfield

• DDR4-3600: 101 FPS avg, 81 FPS 1% low.
• DDR5-6000: 119 FPS avg, 100 FPS 1% low.
• Result: DDR5 leads by 18% (18 FPS higher) and maintains a much smoother 100 FPS minimum.

7. The Last of Us Part II

• DDR4-3600: 154 FPS avg, 106 FPS 1% low.
• DDR5-6000: 182 FPS avg, 122 FPS 1% low.
• Result: DDR5 leads by 18% (28 FPS higher) with a 7% increase in GPU utilization.

IV. Conclusion

Based on the data from these seven games, the performance gap between DDR5-6000 and DDR4-3600 on the Intel 12th–14th Gen platform is clear.

At 1080P Ultra, the DDR5-6000 platform outperformed DDR4 in every game, with an average performance lead of approximately 19%. For gamers seeking high-refresh-rate experiences, DDR5 provides a noticeably smoother experience. Note: These results depend on the GPU used and may vary.

Beyond average FPS, the DDR5 platform showed two major technical advantages:

1. Higher GPU Utilization: In most games, DDR5 increased GPU utilization by 4%–20%. This suggests fewer system bottlenecks, allowing the graphics card to reach its full potential.
2. Lower CPU Power and Temps: In many tests, the CPU on the DDR5 platform consumed 10–30W less power and ran 2–10°C cooler. The higher bandwidth and efficiency of DDR5 reduce the CPU’s “wait time” and workload, improving the overall efficiency ratio.

Summary: For high-frame-rate gaming at 1080P, DDR5 memory unlocks significantly more performance on Intel’s 12th–14th Gen platforms. However, this gain must be weighed against the higher cost of the platform. There is no “wrong” choice—only the choice that best fits your budget and future upgrade plans.

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