DDR5 memory will be in short supply until the second half of 2022

While many memory makers have announced and ‘launched' new DDR5 memory kits in late 2021, availability has still been very scarce in many markets around the world. According to Micron, this trend is likely going to continue throughout a good chunk of 2022.

If you've been looking to upgrade to an Intel 12th Gen processor and a Z690 motherboard with DDR5 memory support, then you may have a difficult time over the next six months or so. During a recent earnings call, Micron CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, explained to investors that “demand for DDR5 products is significantly exceeding supply due to non-memory component shortages”.

Image used for illustrative purposes only. Credit: Team Group. 

Here's the full quote, via SeekingAlpha: “Across the PC industry, demand for DDR5 products is significantly exceeding supply due to non-memory component shortages impacting memory suppliers' ability to build DDR5 modules. We expect these shortages to moderate through 2022, enabling bit shipments of DDR5 to grow to meaningful levels in the second half of calendar 2022.”

While memory chips themselves are in supply, DDR5 memory dimms require new Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMIC) and these are in short supply, meaning memory makers can't make as many DDR5 memory modules as they would like to. This in turn is keeping early-adoption prices high as well. Mehrotra's statement also lines up with earlier reports around DDR5 supply struggles from November.

Demand for DDR5 memory should increase in late 2022 as well, as AMD is expected to launch its first consumer PC platform with DDR5 memory support, joining Intel in that market. By that point, supply chain issues should be cleared up.

KitGuru Says: With DDR5 being in short supply, we will continue to see motherboard makers supporting DDR4 even with newer chipsets. Were any of you hoping to upgrade to DDR5 soon? 

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