Intel is betting on older processors with DDR4 support amid DDR5 memory shortage

The current system memory supply crisis is shaking up the entire consumer electronics market. Almost every segment has suffered serious consequences, and the home-built gaming PC market is no exception. The extremely high prices of DDR5 system memory and SSD drives have made it almost impossible to build a decently powerful configuration without a huge investment. After rival AMD has already brought some of its processors back to the forefront with support for the older standard, such as the Ryzen 7 5800X3D model, it now seems that Intel is also looking back in time to mitigate the consequences of this crisis.

The latest report reveals that Intel is set to increase production of older generations of processors that work with DDR4 modules. This period ranges from the rather old 10th generation chips to some newer models from the 14th generation Core. The report suggests that the company will significantly strengthen the supply of these components, thereby offering customers more financially acceptable options for building systems.

While this is a commendable move that could theoretically benefit end users, there is considerable doubt about the rationale for buying the oldest models. It would be difficult to find a reason for anyone to buy a 10th generation processor today, even if they were available in abundance and at an extremely low price. These chips began to hit the market in 2019. Development in this area has progressed significantly since then, and modern budget models easily outperform former high-end components in many cases.

On the other hand, the increased availability of 12th, 13th, and 14th generation processors is definitely good news. These models are still extremely capable, especially the last two mentioned families. Combined with fast DDR4 memory, top-of-the-line 13th or 14th generation processors can still offer excellent speeds for both demanding games and serious work.

It's clear that this strategy isn't ideal. However, it's probably the best Intel can do in the current market conditions, where it has even been forced to raise prices for some of its top processor products. The company is not alone in these price increases, as virtually all major technology giants, including Microsoft, Valve, and Apple, have had to face the same situation.