End of DDR4 Shipments: What Data Center Operators and Supply-Chain Partners Must Know

As the global memory industry pivots from legacy standards toward next-generation technologies, the impending end of DDR4 shipments is creating both challenges and opportunities for data-center operators, hardware traders, and lifecycle partners.

Major DRAM manufacturers have begun formally winding down DDR4 production, shifting capacity to DDR5 and high-bandwidth memory (HBM). According to industry sources, producers such as Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron plan to cease mainstream DDR4 shipments between late 2025 and early 2026.

Supply Constraints Ahead
With fabrication lines repurposed for DDR5 and HBM, the supply of DDR4 memory is tightening rapidly. Spot-market pricing began climbing in mid-2025, driven by channel consolidation and inventory depletion. The result is a growing imbalance between demand for legacy platforms and available supply.

Lifecycle Planning Becomes Urgent
Enterprises that still depend on DDR4-based systems should take immediate steps to safeguard continuity:

1. Audit existing infrastructure to identify servers and systems that rely on DDR4 memory.

2. Secure replacement inventory early to avoid supply-chain delays and price volatility.

3. Integrate reuse and remarketing into end-of-life plans; the residual value of DDR4 hardware may increase temporarily as supply tightens.

4. Accelerate DDR5 transition planning, ensuring compatibility with future workloads, AI acceleration, and higher-bandwidth applications.

A Turning Point for ITAD and Value Recovery
This industry shift reinforces the importance of lifecycle expertise and proactive asset management. As older systems approach retirement, responsible reuse and remarketing of DDR4-based equipment can deliver both financial and environmental returns. At the same time, secure and certified disposition remains essential to protect data and comply with sustainability targets.

Manda is working closely with partners to manage the transition from DDR4 to DDR5, combining global sourcing, asset recovery, and lifecycle analytics to minimise disruption. Our team helps enterprises turn technology transitions into opportunities, capturing value from legacy platforms while planning for the next generation.

The end of DDR4 is more than a product milestone; it marks a pivotal change in how the IT infrastructure ecosystem approaches sustainability, value recovery, and strategic hardware planning.