Amidst persistently high prices for high-performance memory, VIK-on, a Russian hardware enthusiast, has recently garnered attention in the tech world. He designed and assembled a 32GB DDR5 desktop memory (UDIMM) from recycled SO-DIMM memory chips used in laptops. Not only does it function perfectly, but its overall cost is significantly lower than comparable commercially available products.
According to information released by VIK-on, the chips used in this custom-made DDR5 memory module came from two 16GB SO-DIMM modules used in laptops. He disassembled the memory chips, originally designed only for laptops, and resoldered them onto a custom PCB to conform to desktop UDIMM specifications. The additional parts required for the entire project, including the circuit board and heatsink, had relatively limited cost.
The cost is only one-third of the market price, giving it a significant price advantage.
In terms of overall cost, the production cost of this 32GB DDR5 memory module is approximately 17,000 rubles, equivalent to about $218. In comparison, the same capacity DDR5-4800 memory module in the Russian market costs over $400, while the high-end version of DDR5-6400 CL32 even approaches $600. Looking at the European and American markets, the price difference is often even more pronounced.
With memory supply remaining tight and prices fluctuating frequently, this "recycling and reuse" modification method demonstrates a high cost-performance ratio and provides hardware enthusiasts with another approach.
Flash ADATA firmware to directly enable high-frequency XMP.
Besides the hardware modifications, another highlight of VIK-on's work is the firmware settings. He stated that the memory module was flashed with ADATA's official firmware and successfully enabled the DDR5-6400 CL32 XMP profile. This profile was originally intended for ADATA's high-end DDR5 memory products, which are quite expensive.
Through firmware tuning, this custom-made memory has reached the level of high-end DDR5 in terms of specifications. VIK-on also revealed that it has performed stably in actual game testing and no compatibility or stability issues have been found.
Not "free memory," still requires technological and material hurdles.
However, VIK-on also emphasizes that this is not a cost-free or barrier-free solution. Users still need to purchase SO-DIMM memory modules, find a compatible PCB design, and have certain soldering and hardware modification skills. In addition, memory chips of different capacities or package types will also increase the design difficulty.
He had evaluated using an 8GB chip to create a lower-cost version, but due to differences in chip packaging, the circuit board design became more complex, and ultimately only about 16GB of DDR5-5600 performance could be achieved.
Overall, VIK-on's work is not only a personal modification achievement, but also reflects the potential value of DIY and parts reuse in a high-cost hardware environment. As more modules are completed, he also plans to share the actual test results through videos, allowing the outside world to have a more comprehensive understanding of the feasibility of this type of non-traditional memory solution.
