If you've been shopping for RAM or planning a new PC build recently, you've likely noticed significant price increases. Memory prices have jumped considerably over the past year, and there are several factors driving this trend.
Key Factors Driving Price Increases
🤖 AI and Data Center Demand
The explosion in AI development has created unprecedented demand for memory. Training large language models and running AI inference requires massive amounts of high-bandwidth memory. Companies like NVIDIA, Google, and Microsoft are buying memory in bulk, creating supply constraints for consumer products.
🏭 HBM Production Constraints
High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) used in AI accelerators shares manufacturing capacity with consumer DRAM. Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have prioritized HBM production for the lucrative AI market, limiting capacity for standard DDR5 modules.
🔄 DDR5 is Now Standard
DDR5 has fully replaced DDR4 on new platforms. While DDR5 prices have come down from their 2022 peaks, they remain elevated compared to historical DDR4 pricing. The higher manufacturing complexity and increased capacity per module keeps costs up.
💱 Currency Fluctuations
Memory is primarily manufactured in South Korea and Taiwan. Currency fluctuations between the Korean Won, Taiwan Dollar, and Canadian/US Dollar can significantly impact prices at your local retailer.
What Should You Expect?
Industry analysts expect prices to remain elevated through 2026 as AI demand shows no signs of slowing. However, there are some strategies to manage costs:
- Buy during sales events (Black Friday, Prime Day)
- Consider 32GB instead of 64GB if your workload allows
- Look at previous-generation DDR4 systems if DDR5 costs are prohibitive
- Set price alerts on PCPP and Camelcamelcamel
Need Help with Your Build?
We can help you spec out a cost-effective build that meets your needs without overspending on RAM. Whether it's a workstation, NAS, or home server, we'll find the right balance of performance and value.