Memory prices: PC shipments fall as DDR4 returns

Global PC shipments fell sharply in the third quarter of 2026, according to estimates reported by Ars Technica. IDC measures a year-over-year decline of 20.1%, to 62.7 million units. Omdia reports a decline of 21.2%, to 58.1 million. The volumes differ between the estimates, but both point in the same direction.

IDC explains that manufacturers and distribution channels had built up inventories earlier in the year in anticipation of rising memory prices. Omdia, for its part, describes component costs being passed on through computer prices and a reduction in production during the quarter. According to the analysis reported by Ars Technica, demand for memory for AI workloads contributes to capacity constraints affecting consumer devices.

Meanwhile, The Verge describes a return to DDR4-compatible platforms in response to rising memory prices. The outlet reports that Gigabyte announced on Friday that some motherboard ranges would be compatible with future Intel processors using the LGA 1700 socket. This platform supports DDR4 and DDR5. Intel had not responded to the outlet’s request for comment, so Gigabyte’s announcement does not constitute direct confirmation from Intel.

The potential benefit would be to allow a processor upgrade without requiring DDR4 memory to be replaced. This interpretation remains conditional: the available information establishes neither the total cost of these configurations, nor their performance, nor their ability to revive PC demand. It also does not establish that the decline in shipments is driving this return to DDR4.