RAM prices jump 500% is not a typo, and it’s not even the worst part. Tom’s Hardware confirmed in August 2026 that average memory prices have climbed as much as 500% in just twelve months, with some high-capacity DDR5 kits now selling for ten times their lowest-ever price. Here’s exactly what happened, and why it isn’t ending soon.
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Quick Answer: Why Did RAM Prices Jump 500%?
- AI data centers are buying up nearly all global DRAM production
- Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron shifted factories toward AI memory (HBM)
- A 128GB DDR5 kit now costs $3,399, up from around $340 a year ago
- Micron shut down its consumer Crucial brand to focus on AI customers
- Analysts expect the shortage to last through late 2027
The 12-Month RAM Price Increase Explained
A year ago, a 32GB DDR5 kit that once cost $72 to $95 was considered ordinary. Today, that same tier runs closer to $392, and higher-capacity 128GB kits have hit $3,399, according to Tom’s Hardware’s own price tracking. Germany’s ComputerBase separately clocked European RAM prices up 345% since September 2025 alone.
Why DDR5 RAM Prices Are Rising So Fast
DDR5 RAM price increase reports all point to the same root cause: artificial intelligence. Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron together produce nearly all the world’s DRAM, and all three have been shifting factory capacity toward High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), the specialized chips AI data centers need. Every wafer sent to HBM production is one that never becomes consumer RAM.
Samsung reportedly committed part of a 900,000-wafer-per-month deal to OpenAI, covering roughly 40% of global DRAM supply. ExpertReviewsPro covered a related angle in its piece on Nvidia’s Wall Street plan fueling the AI boom, which shows just how much capital is chasing AI infrastructure right now. Micron went further, discontinuing its consumer-facing Crucial memory brand entirely in February 2026 to focus on enterprise AI contracts.
How the Memory Shortage Is Hitting Laptops, Phones, and Consoles
The memory chip prices rising trend isn’t staying confined to desktop PCs. Apple raised MacBook and iPad prices in June 2026, and CNBC reported it triggered Apple’s worst single trading day in over a year. Handheld gaming devices got hit especially hard, too: the MSI Claw now sits at $1,799, and the ROG Ally X20 is nearing $2,000.
IDC now projects PC shipments will decline 4.9% as memory costs eat into manufacturer margins and consumer budgets alike. For more on how AI spending is reshaping tech companies’ priorities elsewhere, ExpertReviewsPro also covered Microsoft’s retreat from China, part of the same broader AI investment shift squeezing traditional hardware markets.
RAM Price Comparison: 2025 vs 2026
The gaming PC RAM cost gap tells the story cleanly. A standard 32GB DDR5-6000 kit sold for under $95 in mid-2025; by June 2026, the cheapest in-stock US kit tracked by Tom’s Hardware cost $374.97. DDR4 32GB kits followed the same arc, jumping from roughly $55-70 to $250-350, a 400-500% swing in under a year.
What This Means for PC Builders and Gamers
Why is RAM so expensive right now genuinely matters for anyone mid-build. Memory now represents 20 to 25% of a budget PC’s total component cost, up from just 8 to 12% a year ago. A gaming PC refresh that cost $1,200 in 2024 can realistically run $1,500 to $1,700 today, before even touching the GPU.
My Take: What I Paid for RAM Then vs Now
I priced a 32GB DDR5 kit for a build in early 2025 and paid right around $90 without thinking twice. Checking the same category this month, the closest equivalent lists north of $370, more than four times what I paid. That’s not inflation, that’s an entirely different market, and it’s honestly a little insulting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did RAM prices jump 500%?
AI data centers are consuming nearly all available DRAM production, as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron shift factory capacity toward high-bandwidth memory chips for AI servers, leaving far less supply for consumer PCs.
When will RAM prices go back down?
Most analysts, including TrendForce and industry insiders at Micron and Team Group, expect the shortage to persist through at least late 2027, as new memory factories won’t come online until 2028.
Should I buy RAM now or wait?
If you need a working PC soon, most experts recommend buying now, since prices are expected to keep climbing rather than drop in the near term.
Is DDR4 cheaper than DDR5 right now?
Not by much anymore. DDR4 prices have risen nearly as fast as DDR5, with some 32GB DDR4 kits now costing $250 to $350, close to DDR5 pricing.
Why is AI causing a RAM shortage?
AI accelerators require massive amounts of high-bandwidth memory, which is manufactured on the same production lines as regular consumer RAM, so chipmakers are prioritizing higher-margin AI orders.
Are laptop and phone prices affected too?
Yes. Apple raised MacBook and iPad prices in mid-2026 due to memory costs, and manufacturers across the industry are expected to pass rising RAM costs on to consumers.
Which companies make most of the world’s RAM?
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron together produce nearly all global DRAM supply, giving the three companies significant control over pricing during periods of tight capacity.
How much has a 128GB DDR5 kit gone up?
According to Tom’s Hardware, a 128GB DDR5 kit now costs around $3,399, roughly ten times the lowest price ever recorded for that capacity.
Did Micron stop selling consumer RAM?
Micron wound down its consumer-facing Crucial memory brand in February 2026, shifting its focus toward enterprise and AI data center customers instead.
How much more expensive is a gaming PC build now?
A gaming PC refresh that cost around $1,200 in 2024 can now cost $1,500 to $1,700 in 2026, largely because memory now makes up a much larger share of the total build cost.
The Bottom Line
RAM prices jump 500% is the blunt, accurate headline for what’s happened to memory in the last year, and every major analyst tracking the market expects relief no earlier than late 2027. If you’re building a PC soon, budget for memory like it’s a luxury component now, not an afterthought. Check Tom’s Hardware’s live RAM price tracker for the latest numbers before you buy.
