Russian modder VIK-on has built a DIY 32GB DDR5 desktop memory stick using salvaged laptop SO-DIMM chips
VIK-on reached out to us to give an update on his self-built DDR5 memory. According to the modder, the donor chips came from two 16GB SO-DIMM modules that cost 8,000 rubles each. A new PCB costs 50 yuan, which VIK-on estimates at about 600 rubles. A basic heatsink from AliExpress added another 415 rubles.
That puts the total build cost at 17,015 rubles, roughly $218, for a single 32GB stick. In comparison to DDR5 memory currently on the market in Russia, that’s at least 1/3 of the cost. The DDR4-4800 32GB memory costs 423 USD while 6400 CL32 memory costs 588 USD. A quick check in the US or EU, shows that such memory can easily cost much more than that.
Source: VIK-on
Perhaps the most interesting part of this mod, bar the memory module swap, is special firmware. VIK-on says the module was flashed with ADATA firmware, which enabled an XMP profile at DDR5-6400 CL32 right away, specifically from ADATA AX5U6400C3232G-DCLARWH, which costs around $800.
This is not “free” memory, since the SO-DIMMs still need to be purchased, and the process requires sourcing a compatible PCB and moving the chips over. Still, laptop SO-DIMM demand is smaller than desktop UDIMM demand, so the parts can sometimes be easier to find.
Source: VIK-on
VIK-on also looked into a cheaper variant using 8GB sticks, but says different chip packaging complicates the PCB choice. In that case, the best outcome would likely be a 16GB stick at around 5,000 rubles in parts, and speeds closer to DDR5-5600.
VIK-on has not shared full benchmarks yet, but reports stable behavior in games so far. Once more modules are finished, he intends to shoot a video, so stay tuned.
