Why RAM Prices Are Skyrocketing (and Why You Should Care)

RAM, also known as random-access memory (or simply memory), is a vital component of most modern electronic devices. Essentially, it allows programs to store key information in real time, eliminating the need to search for it in your storage (such as a hard drive or solid-state drive). RAM is used in laptops, phones, tablets, game consoles, and even cars, and all applications rely on it to some degree.

Essentially, if your device has a built-in computer, it likely comes with RAM, or you’ll need to install it before booting. But this dependency has recently become a major issue. While RAM has historically been one of the most inexpensive components for home users, it has risen significantly in price in recent months, transforming from a secondary component into something you need to save up for.

There are a few reasons for this, but even if you’re not an avid PC builder or buying RAM directly, these price hikes can still affect you in the long run.

What’s happened?

As with most technological shocks these days, the main reason for the sudden spike in RAM prices is artificial intelligence. Citing research firm TrendForce and the Korean publication The Chosun Daily , PCMag, part of the Lifehacker network, began reporting on the RAM price hike in October, and the situation has only worsened since then.

According to analysts and industry experts, manufacturers are gradually focusing on RAM specifically designed for data centers powered by artificial intelligence. Samsung and SK Hynix, in particular, are prioritizing the production of high-speed memory that isn’t used in consumer products. Tom’s Hardware confirmed this in an October report, reporting that these companies have dedicated approximately 40% of global RAM production to a single AI project —OpenAI’s Stargate project . These are two of the three largest RAM manufacturers currently, and while last week brought sensational news, the situation already looked bleak this fall, as shortages began to impact consumer prices.

“This is insane,” one Reddit user wrote in October, and further pessimism followed Black Friday, when other users and even outlets like Lifehacker’s sister site Mashable noticed that some RAM modules were selling for prices reaching four figures during the supposed sales season.

However, the most significant increase in RAM prices occurred in early December following an announcement by the last remaining major RAM manufacturer, Micron. Long known for its consumer-focused Crucial series, the company announced it would exit the consumer RAM market in 2026 to focus on artificial intelligence, ending Crucial’s 30-year history. Since then, RAM prices across various products have soared even higher , despite RAM manufacturers reporting double-digit profits compared to last year .

In fact, as Gartner analyst Shrish Plant told The Verge , “If you’re not a server customer, memory vendors will treat you as a secondary customer.”

How expensive is RAM these days?

While prices for all computer components fluctuate, RAM was typically among the cheapest, typically costing under $100 for a reasonable amount from a reputable manufacturer, or around $150 for an upgrade. It seems those days are over.

Christian Devine, a TikToker and streamer I follow, recently wrote that the RAM he bought for $90 in April is now worth over $400, and he’s not alone. I’ve been seeing similar sentiments on social media lately, so to verify this for myself, I checked out PCMag’s list of the best gaming RAM of 2025 , and here are the price differences I found from August 2025 to the present.

• G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 32GB DDR5-7200 RAM cost $110 in August , now it’s $360 .

• G.Skill Trident Z5 64GB DDR5-6400 CL32 RAM cost $170 in August , now it costs $640 .

• G.Skill Ripjaws V 16GB DDR4-3600 RAM cost $46 in August , now it’s $105 .

While this is only a small selection of RAM, it’s clear that such high prices are seen across the industry. PCPartPicker , a popular site where PC builders price components for their machines, currently lists the most expensive RAM on its list at $407, with competing manufacturers often achieving similarly high prices. Essentially, it’s now difficult to find RAM under $100, and you’ll likely end up paying two or three times what you were paying at the beginning of the year.

These price hikes are most noticeable when buying RAM directly, which primarily affects PC builders, but others will likely feel the impact soon.

How will more expensive RAM affect me?

So far, I’ve only discussed the price increase for RAM for those who buy it separately, which primarily affects PC manufacturers. But if you prefer to buy pre-built hardware, don’t think that means you won’t pay more. Laptop, tablet, and phone manufacturers need to source their RAM from somewhere, and as prices rise, they too will be impacted.

Prices have already risen for companies like CyberPowerPC , which offers pre-built desktop computers, and modular laptop maker Framework announced it will soon follow suit . Even Raspberry Pi, known for producing inexpensive single-board computers for DIY projects, was forced to raise prices on its latest flagship, citing the cost of memory as the reason .

While these products are certainly aimed more at enthusiasts, consider them a wake-up call. The insider behind the article “Moore’s Law Is Dead” recently suggested that RAM prices could lead to another Xbox price hike , and Dell COO Jeff Clark stated on a recent earnings call with investors that “the fact is, the cost of everything is going up.”

Some companies are doing everything they can to prevent consumers from feeling the effects of the shortage. Bloomberg recently reported that Lenovo is currently stockpiling RAM to try to “strike a balance between price and availability” for consumers in 2026, while HP has stated that it may limit the amount of memory in its devices but may still be forced to raise prices.

In short, it’s tough to buy tech right now, even if you’re not a big gadget lover. And this could impact more than just RAM—as Jeff Yanukovych, vice president of research at IDC, told The Verge, some companies may be cutting corners on other components, such as batteries or displays, to avoid price hikes due to the rising cost of memory. He also suggested that more affordable devices, which already feature every possible compromise, could end up costing more than others.

Will RAM prices return to normal levels?

As Dell COO Jeff Clark noted during the earnings conference call, this isn’t the first time RAM prices have fluctuated, but he acknowledged that this particular price hike is “unprecedented.” While I agree that’s true for memory, it reminds me of the price hikes for graphics cards that occurred around the early 2020s.

The demand for video cards remains unresolved, as these components are also very useful for AI . However, by the beginning of the decade, gamers had a hard time finding GPUs, especially at prices close to the recommended retail price. This was due to demand from cryptocurrency miners, which was so high that Nvidia actually began downgrading the performance of its mining cards . Manufacturers subsequently reported declining demand , largely in response to changes in cryptocurrency operations and a decline in interest in them overall.

While the AI ​​bubble hasn’t burst (yet), RAM could undergo a similar cycle if interest in AI begins to wane. Otherwise, manufacturers will have to balance supply and demand.

Returning to Clark’s comments, he said, “I would characterize it this way: demand significantly exceeds supply.” Therefore, while Micron is reportedly exiting the consumer RAM market, Samsung and SK Hynix are not silent on the matter.

According to the Korean publication Seoul Economic Daily , SK Hynix plans to spend $500 billion on building new manufacturing plants, the first of which is scheduled to open in 2027. The company also told The Verge that it is “not considering exiting the consumer goods business.” Therefore, supply could increase in the coming years.

At the same time, it’s difficult to say with certainty when the RAM shortage will be resolved. Unlike SK Hynix, Samsung recently stated during a conference call with investors (translated by PCGamer , originally published by Tech Insight ) that it will not “rapidly expand production capacity,” but instead will pursue a much more complex plan to “maintain long-term profitability.” Tech Insight took the opportunity to suggest that RAM prices could remain high until 2028.

In short, it’s clear the market remains volatile, and companies are still looking for ways to address the pricing issue. I can’t say for sure when RAM prices will fall again, but judging by industry experts’ statements, as well as similar issues with GPUs in the past, the key indicators here seem to be a decline in interest in AI or an increase in production capacity.

What if I need to buy RAM right now?

Meanwhile, since RAM is essential for many electronic devices, you may have to accept shortages and buy it during a shortage. In that case, here are the best ways to buy RAM right now.

• Buy pre-built computers. While smaller manufacturers of pre-built devices are already raising prices, it’s clear that large manufacturers like Lenovo are doing everything they can to ensure their customers don’t experience shortages. Apple hasn’t yet raised prices on the MacBook or iPhone 17 , and devices like the Pixel 10 and Microsoft Surface Laptop are discounted. Historically, buying a pre-built computer has been more expensive than building one yourself, but during a component shortage, a large company will have more leeway to cut costs than you.

• Use less RAM. While I wouldn’t recommend going below 8GB of RAM, most users won’t need more than 16GB, even if they want to play games. More headroom is a good thing, and while it used to be wise to be on the safe side, with rising prices, it might be better to determine the minimum amount that’s sufficient for now.

• Buy now or wait. It sounds a bit counterintuitive, but I wouldn’t expect RAM prices to normalize anytime soon. Assess your needs and determine whether you need a new laptop, PC, phone, tablet, or gaming console soon. If so, it might be worth buying now before manufacturers like Dell, HP, or even Xbox raise prices. However, if you think you can wait a few more years, it might be better to wait and see how things develop than to try to build a computer during a shortage. In any case, make a decision soon, because you likely won’t want to buy RAM when supplies begin to shrink even further, sometime before 2026.

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