DDR5 is getting pricey. Learn smart, budget upgrades - monitor, GPU, CPU, prebuilt and bundle deals - to boost gaming PC performance without overspending.
© A. Krivonosov
Memory prices keep climbing fast, and new DDR5 kits increasingly cost more than a game console. For many enthusiasts that’s a gut punch: the old rule of “buy RAM, get a boost” no longer holds. Still, even in this memory-price crunch, there are ways to noticeably improve how your games feel—without paying over the odds for premium modules.
The Pepelats News editorial team has put together several practical strategies to outlast the squeeze and even strengthen your PC this season.
If you’re still playing at 1080p and 60 Hz, even a capable graphics card is barely breaking a sweat. Moving to a higher resolution not only sharpens the image, it also shifts more work to the GPU and eases the load on the processor and system memory. Modern OLED and QD-OLED panels deliver deep blacks and superb color, while IPS screens remain a great value pick. Simply raising the resolution can make familiar games feel fresh again—without swapping costly components.
The rise in memory costs is already rippling into the graphics card market, so waiting may not pay off. Some models are currently selling below their suggested price, but that won’t last. As an example, AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT offers performance on the level of an RTX 5070 Ti yet comes in cheaper—an appealing buy before further increases. And even if your processor isn’t top tier, the right settings—higher resolution, quality upscaling, Frame Generation—can minimize bottlenecks and let the new GPU stretch its legs.
DDR5 is getting pricier, but DDR4 platforms still offer generous upgrade headroom. If you already have enough memory, the smartest spend is the CPU. Intel looks especially attractive: it kept DDR4 support up through Raptor Lake Refresh, giving owners a wide range of 13th- and 14th‑gen options. The i5‑13400F comes very close to newer chips yet is markedly cheaper. With AMD the path is trickier—the best AM4 processors with 3D cache are hard to find—but the second‑hand market sometimes turns up worthwhile deals.
For now, the RAM price jump has hit retail but hasn’t fully reached prebuilt systems—creating that rare moment when a ready-made PC can cost less than a DIY build. Some models already bundle a strong CPU, a current GPU, a large SSD, and 32 GB of memory for less than a piecemeal upgrade. This window likely won’t stay open long, so it’s a sensible time to act.
Combo kits can shave off a meaningful chunk of the budget. They often include DDR4, but DDR5 options exist too, especially for Intel platforms. It’s a neat way to jump to a new generation without paying a premium for each part separately. Yes, a bundle might pair you with a so-so cooler or motherboard, but in a market short on stock and long on prices, these offers can be the season’s sleepers.
Even if memory keeps getting more expensive, improving your gaming setup is far from impossible. A better monitor, a stronger graphics card, a smart CPU upgrade—or even a complete prebuilt machine—can deliver more value than pricey DDR5. The key is to skip the panic and invest in parts that actually move the needle, not just the ones it’s fashionable to own.