In a surprising twist driven by the challenges of the AI boom, the gaming hardware market is witnessing a resurgence of DDR4 platforms. As DDR5 RAM becomes increasingly hard to find at reasonable prices, ASUS is stepping up to address the need for affordable gaming hardware. By ramping up the production of DDR4 platforms, ASUS aims to provide gamers with more budget-friendly options, despite a potential trade-off in performance.
ASUS Increases DDR4 Motherboard Production
With plans to boost DDR4 motherboard production starting in the first quarter of 2026, ASUS is focusing on both AM4 and DDR4-based LGA 1700 platforms. Sources indicate that ASUS will target the AM4 motherboards featuring B550 and A520 chipsets to cater to gamers looking to build cost-effective gaming PCs. Despite being older, these platforms are consistently outperforming newer options like Intel’s LGA 1851, driven by the popularity of the Ryzen 5000 series processors.
ASUS has confirmed a strategic plan for the first quarter of 2026, focusing on increasing its investment in DDR4 motherboards. For AMD, the company will boost the supply of B550 and A520 series motherboards, while for Intel, the focus will be on B760M and H610M-G models to meet the needs of online shoppers. Offline sales channels will continue to receive consistent support, ensuring that inventory levels remain stable.
Meeting the Ongoing Demand
Amid the dwindling availability of popular Ryzen 5000X3D CPUs, achieving high frame rates comparable to newer Zen 4 or Zen 5 chips poses a challenge. ASUS is also set to expand its LGA 1700 motherboard production, with both DDR5 and DDR4 options available. This move hints at an increased presence of DDR4-based LGA 1700 motherboards featuring B760 or H610 chipsets, aiming to fulfill current market demands.
ASUS’s initiative to focus on DDR4 platforms aims to bridge the gap during the DDR5 shortage, allowing gaming enthusiasts to continue building their rigs with available resources. If other manufacturers follow suit, it will still depend on AMD and Intel to boost processor supplies. While Ryzen 5000 remains a hot seller, Intel’s 13th and 14th gen processors offer a competitive edge for gamers.