Memory prices climb 500% in 12 months

Within just the last year, memory prices have skyrocketed by an astonishing 500%, with some DDR5 kits reaching a jaw-dropping $3,399—nearly a full decade more than their previous low. Experts at Tom's Hardware report that while prices start to dip as capacities and speeds decrease, the jump remains far from ideal. For instance, a memory kit that cost just $72 last year now demands $392.

To illustrate the severity of the situation, the latest average price data from PCPartPicker was compared to the same period a year prior. DDR5-5600 kits that used to be under $200 are now priced over $1,100—five times the original price. Such a sharp increase in a component that was once a straightforward budget item is unprecedented.

Those considering waiting for prices to normalize by opting for older AM4 or LGA1700 motherboards running DDR4 may want to reconsider. DDR4 prices have also surged, ranging from 120% to nearly 180% across the board. While this isn't as dramatic as DDR5 prices, it's still a significant blow when a $105 kit from a year ago now costs $281.

This price surge isn't limited to the United States; it's a global trend. German tech site ComputerBase has reported a staggering 345% increase in average RAM prices in Europe since September 2025. The impact extends beyond RAM, with hard drive and SSD prices also climbing over 125% over the same period.

The situation is so dire that hyperscale buyers have reportedly secured nearly all remaining global DRAM production capacity for 2027. They've even made advance deposits to ensure their supply, with DRAM now among the most valuable commodities by weight, worth more than half as much per kilogram as solid gold.