RAM Prices 2025: Why Memory Costs Are Rising So Much?
Image credit: Corsair
If you’ve tried upgrading your PC recently, you’ve probably noticed the shock: RAM prices in 2025 have jumped sharply, with modules that felt affordable only a year ago now costing significantly more. Many PC builders are asking the same question — why?
This surge in RAM prices 2025 has caught people off guard, especially anyone planning a new build or a simple upgrade.
Below, we break down the real reasons behind the price increases and when relief may finally arrive.
1. AI Data Centres Are Eating All the Memory
The biggest shift in the tech world over the past two years has been the rise of AI — specifically the massive data‑centre infrastructure behind it.
AI servers use dramatically more DRAM than traditional servers. Training and running large models requires huge amounts of high‑speed memory, and companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and OpenAI have been buying DRAM at an unprecedented scale.
Recent industry reporting shows:
- DRAM contract prices have risen well over 100% year‑on‑year.
- 32GB DDR5 kits that once sold for £70–£90 now commonly cost £150–£180.
- High-bandwidth memory for AI systems is receiving manufacturing priority.
When AI giants consume most of the global DRAM supply, consumers are left fighting for what remains — and prices rise.
According to industry analysts such as TrendForce, DRAM contract pricing saw sharp increases throughout 2024 and 2025.
Market trackers like Tom’s Hardware have also highlighted the steep rise in DDR5 pricing during this period.
2. Manufacturers Cut Production Too Much Back in 2023
Once pandemic-era PC demand collapsed, memory manufacturers responded by reducing output:
- Lower DRAM production
- Reduced wafer allocation
- A shift toward profitability over volume
This happened before the AI boom.
When AI demand surged in 2024–2025, companies like Samsung, Micron, and SK hynix suddenly found themselves behind. Increasing semiconductor production takes time — months or even years — so supply is still struggling to catch up.
Factories can’t simply “turn on” more RAM production overnight, and the backlog created by earlier cuts is still affecting pricing.
3. DDR5 Is the New Standard — And It Costs More to Produce
The transition from DDR4 to DDR5 is well underway, and DDR5 is inherently more expensive to manufacture. DDR5 modules require:
- On‑die error correction
- Power management chips (PMICs)
- More complex layouts
- Higher validation standards
- Longer manufacturing steps
DDR5 prices initially trended downward — until supply tightened and demand spiked again. In some regions, DDR5 prices rose 30–50% per quarter going into 2025.
Meanwhile, DDR4 prices are increasing because manufacturers are shifting capacity away from DDR4 to focus on DDR5 and HBM.
Less supply = higher prices.
4. HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) Is Taking Over Production Lines
AI GPUs rely heavily on HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), which is far more complex and expensive to produce than standard DRAM.
HBM manufacturing requires:
- More wafer capacity
- Multi‑layer stacking
- Long packaging processes
- Lower yields
- More factory time
Because HBM is extremely profitable and in skyrocketing demand, manufacturers are prioritising it. Every HBM wafer produced is a wafer not used for DDR5 or DDR4.
This is one of the biggest reasons why traditional consumer RAM is in short supply this year.
5. PC & Laptop Manufacturers Are Buying RAM Faster Than Expected
After a slow few years, the PC market began recovering in 2024–2025. OEMs started:
- Increasing memory orders
- Securing long‑term contracts
- Buying earlier in the cycle
- Pushing smaller system builders into high‑priced spot markets
When big brands buy aggressively, consumer pricing climbs.
This also explains fluctuating stock levels for popular DDR5 speeds such as 5600MHz, 6000MHz, and 6400MHz.
6. Global Costs Are Simply Higher Across the Board
Wider economic pressures are also contributing to price increases:
- Higher wafer and material costs
- Rising electricity costs for fabrication plants
- Increased shipping expenses
- Greater global demand for premium laptops
All of these factors push consumer RAM prices higher.
How Much Have RAM Prices in 2025 Really Risen?
Depending on the model and region, the numbers look like this:
- DDR5 RAM: up 30% to 100%
- DDR4 RAM: up 15% to 40%
- DRAM contract prices: up 70–170% year‑on‑year
- Spot market prices: more than doubled in many cases
If RAM felt cheap in 2023–2024, that period is over — at least for now.
When Will RAM Prices Come Down?
A realistic outlook:
Likely late 2026 or even 2027
New fabrication plants expected to come online may finally expand supply.
Through 2025–2026: Expect volatility
Prices will likely remain elevated as:
- AI server demand stays strong
- HBM continues to dominate production lines
- DDR5 fully replaces DDR4
- Manufacturers maintain high margins
A return to early‑2023 pricing is very unlikely in the short term.
Should You Buy RAM Now or Wait?
Buy now if:
- Your PC is struggling with current workloads
- You’re already on DDR5
- You need 32GB or 64GB for editing, AI tools, or development
- You find a reasonable deal for a quality kit
Wait if:
- Your PC is still performing well
- You plan a major upgrade in 2026 or later
- You can manage current tasks without more memory
Waiting may save you a little — but not dramatically in the near future.
Final Thoughts
RAM prices have gone up in 2025 for one main reason: demand has grown far faster than supply can respond.
AI datacentres, HBM production, DDR5 manufacturing costs, earlier production cuts, and global economic pressures have all collided to push memory prices higher.
With RAM prices 2025 still trending upward, the best strategy is to buy carefully if you need it — and avoid waiting for a sudden drop that isn’t likely to arrive anytime soon.
For more hardware insights, visit the TechSmite homepage for the latest guides and comparisons. You can also check out our detailed MacBook M2 vs M5 comparison if you’re considering a laptop upgrade.