PC Games Hardware had a peek at prices and on average DDR4 memory is about 50 percent more expensive than DDR3 memory when comparing modules with the same capacity and frequency. The price level varie... DDR4 memory roughly 50 percent more expensive than DDR3
Still ends up way cheaper than when DDR2 was introduced. Recall paying $200 for 2 x 1gb DDR2 sticks back in 2006.
DDR4 right now is a disappointment for a gamer. Currently the most common speed of DDR4 is 2133 or 2400, with the bulk of kits available at those speeds. Those kits have staggering CAS latency of 15+. Right now the most common speed of DDR3 is tough to determine, with a bulk of kits at 1600, the next most common being 2133 followed by 1866. Take 1866 just for comparison, since it is nearly universally XMP compatible with Z77, X79, Z87, Z97, and AM3+ FX chipsets. The CAS latency ranges from 8-10 and the price is 50% or less of similar DDR4 kits. Benchmarks across almost every site shows X99 only offering modest gains to those using 3+ gfx cards. 2 cards on a Z97 (2 cards @ PCIe 3.0 x8 link) system will net you better performance and less latency than X99 systems at half the cost. X99 really carved a niche and that isn't for gamers IMO. Back in the day X58 was the platform for a gamer, X79 still somewhat if you forgive the shortcomings and feature lagging behind the mainstream chipsets, but X99 is really moving more toward the niche workstation professional user and less the enthusiast leisure user. I seem to be in the minority but this new feature rich chipset + more core lower frequency processor combo looks disappointing.
Well I mean we have one consumer level CPU lineup that supports DDR4 and it's an enthusiast lineup with high pricing and little to no benefit in mainstream performance. Unless Skylake brings some decent performance gains I can't even see that bringing prices down. Very few people are going to want to drop $500-600 on 10% performance gains.
I remember paying £250 for 256Mb back in 1996! For that price it was going as cheap, it was actually more expensive than that. As for DDR4 if nobody buys it then they will be forced to lower there prices.
Pretty much all the 2133 kits are using standard jedec timings of 15 CL and then you look at kits that are 2666/2800 with the same exact timings.. I bet you could easily up these 'meh' kits to those specs no problem.
Hopefully better prices and better options will be available when i upgrade probably at the end of next year.
