Where to Buy DDR5 RAM

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Here's where you can buy DDR5 RAM for your Intel 12th Generation Alder Lake CPU.

Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5
(Image credit: Corsair)

Intel's latest 12th Generation Alder Lake processors reside on a brand-new platform that consists of a 600-series motherboard and support for DDR5 memory (You can still use DDR4 if you prefer, but you'll need to make sure your motherboard supports it). While Z690 motherboards are abundant, both for DDR4 and DDR5, DDR5 memory itself is in short supply. And being in their introduction phase, DDR5 memory kits are also significantly more expensive than the existing best RAM on the market. This was to be expected since DDR5 is cutting-edge technology, and we all know how early adopters pay a small premium. Furthermore, we're still in the middle of a global semiconductor shortage, so that doesn't help with pricing, either.

Alder Lake arrives with native support for DDR5-4800, which is the baseline for DDR5. Therefore, DDR5-4800 memory kits will run without any user intervention. DDR5 memory kits with higher data rates, on the other hand, will require setup, whether it be through XMP 3.0 or manually. For additional information, Intel has posted a QVL with DDR5 memory kits that have been validated with the different Alder Lake SKUs, including the Core i9-12900K and Core i5-12600K.

We've composed a small list of the elusive DDR5 memory kits that are currently on the market and the retailers where you can purchase them from. Do note that demand is high, and supply is short. As a result, these DDR5 memory kits sell like hotcakes.

DDR5-4800: Where to Buy

Oloy DDR5

(Image credit: Newegg)

16GB (2x8GB) DDR5 RAM

32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 RAM

  • Crucial DDR5-4800 C40 : $273.99 at Amazon | B&H | Newegg
  • OLOy Blade DDR5-4800 C40: $279.99 at Newegg
  • OLOy Blade RGB DDR5-4800 C40: $289.99 at Newegg
  • Team Elite DDR5-4800 C40 $310.00 at Newegg
  • GeIL Polaris RGB Sync DDR5-4800 C40: $428.10 at Newegg

64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 RAM

DDR5-5200: Where to Buy

Renders for G-Skill's Ripjaws S5 Series Low Performance DDR5 Memory

(Image credit: G.Skill)

32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 RAM

  • G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-5200 C40 (Black): $279.99 at Newegg
  • G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5-5200 C40 (White): $279.99 at Newegg
  • Corsair Vengeance DDR5-5200 C38: $289.99 at Best Buy | Newegg
  • Adata XPG Lancer DDR5-5200 C38: $299.99 at B&H | Newegg
  • Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB DDR5-5200 C38: $329.99 at Newegg
  • GeIL Polaris RGB Sync DDR5-5200 C34: $369.99 at Best Buy | Newegg
Zhiye Liu
Zhiye Liu
News Editor and Memory Reviewer

Zhiye Liu is a news editor and memory reviewer at Tom’s Hardware. Although he loves everything that’s hardware, he has a soft spot for CPUs, GPUs, and RAM.

8 Comments Comment from the forums
  • BX4096
    Must be nice to have too much money, to be able burn it on crap like this. The more unfortunate (or prudent) of us will rather wait until the inevitable price drop next year.
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    This article needs a link to the DDR5 technical rundown. (Edit: after some searching I think this article needs to written not linked to)

    What is DDR5 and why might it be better ?

    If I am getting a new DDR5 Z690 motherboard how do the slots, channels and DIMMS interact? Tom's needs to help the early adopter with money burning a hole in their pocket (or a legitimate needs for a new fire-breathing system) get the optimum DDR5.


    Also a couple of the listed kits say DDR4 when I'm sure DDR5 is intended.
    Reply
  • digitalsanctum
    All of the links in this post lead to out of stock products. Not a surprise after a little more than 24 hours I suppose.
    Reply
  • PdxB
    Admin said:
    Intel's 12th Generation Alder Lake processors support DDR5. Here are the best places to buy DDR5 memory kits.

    Where to Buy DDR5 RAM : Read more
    Completely sold out at all the links supplied, any other suggestions? Landed a 12th gen I9 but don't want to buy a ddr4 motherboard and ram just to have to pay again to upgrade.
    Reply
  • PdxB
    Co BIY said:
    This article needs a link to the DDR5 technical rundown. (Edit: after some searching I think this article needs to written not linked to)

    What is DDR5 and why might it be better ?

    If I am getting a new DDR5 Z690 motherboard how do the slots, channels and DIMMS interact? Tom's needs to help the early adopter with money burning a hole in their pocket (or a legitimate needs for a new fire-breathing system) get the optimum DDR5.


    Also a couple of the listed kits say DDR4 when I'm sure DDR5 is intended.
    DDR4 Motherboards are NOT compatible with DDR5 Memory. They have the same number of pins but the pin key is in a different place to prevent you from frying your system. This means that if you purchase a MOBO compatible with DDR5 it won't take DDR4 DIMMS. This also means that if you purchase a socket 1700 Chipset and purchase DDR4 ram and mother board you'll have to repurchase a different MOBO when you upgrade.

    Check out the article.
    https://www.pcmag.com/news/reminder-ddr4-ram-wont-fit-into-ddr5-slots-and-vice-versa
    Reply
  • PdxB
    digitalsanctum said:
    All of the links in this post lead to out of stock products. Not a surprise after a little more than 24 hours I suppose.
    I looked the day of and they all sold out, do everyone a favor and report the ebay resellers that are marking up the price 200% by reselling.
    Reply
  • TheMixer
    Makes no sense to buy a hi end Z690 board now at 1k if you can't buy anything for it, no memory available no video cards and everything is marked up 2 to 3x what they should be , guess ill wait till 2024 when things become more available.
    Reply
  • wrandolph
    I just snagged DDR5 Crucial using a stock tracking app called TrackaLacker. Basically just follow the stores you want to buy from and then it'll send alerts when it drops at a reasonable price. https://www.trackalacker.com/products/showcase/ddr5-ram
    Reply