The RAM crisis just hit a new low — here's my advice on what to do based on 30 years of writing about GPUs, memory and PC components
There are certain components and devices that you should be considering buying sooner rather than later, at least in my view.
The RAM crisis has reached a new low, with experts predicting it will only worsen in 2027. Experts have been closely monitoring memory price hikes and component cost increases since the crisis began, and the recent news has been overwhelmingly negative. Samsung recently declared that the RAM crisis will become more severe in 2027, and rumors suggest Apple is struggling to secure new RAM from China, amid concerns that other notebook makers may turn to China as an alternative source.
Laptop maker Framework recently reported a significant cost increase for mobile RAM, and DDR5 pricing has hit an all-time high. SK Hynix's CEO recently stated that 2027 will be the worst year in RAM industry history, and the crisis is likely to last for the next decade. The crisis extends beyond RAM, affecting CPUs and devices, but graphics cards are currently the most prominent focus of the crisis.
GPU prices are rising, with Gigabyte, MSI, and Asus announcing price hikes of 20-40% in Japan, China, and South Korea. Nvidia's RTX 5000 models are expected to see a 30% price increase in South Korea. While individual cases may vary, the overall trend suggests that price hikes will intensify this year and possibly in 2027. For those considering PC upgrades, buying a lower-tier graphics card now may be a prudent decision, as prices are expected to rise further.
Additionally, higher-end gaming laptops, which often feature powerful GPUs and ample VRAM, may also be a wise purchase before price hikes become more severe.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
