CPU-Z data reveals impact of the memory crisis: 32GB and 64GB PCs decline as DDR4 makes a comeback

The latest CPU-Z hardware survey reveals a troubling trend in the PC landscape, as the number of systems with 32GB and 64GB of RAM has been on a steady decline. This memory shortage is largely driven by the soaring costs associated with AI-driven demand for DRAM, a type of memory used in computers. According to the survey, 32GB configurations saw a 2.5% decrease over the last three months, while 64GB systems dropped by 18%.

In contrast, there has been a surge in popularity for lower-capacity RAM, with 16GB configurations up by 12.9%, 8GB increasing by 5.5%, and 24GB up by 19.7%.

The data suggests that 16GB now sits just 4.2 points behind 32GB as the most common RAM capacity, a significant shift from previous years. This shift in demand is mirrored in the RAM generation chart, with DDR4 making a strong comeback after a brief period of decline. The number of PCs with DDR4 memory has increased by 6% year-over-year, now representing 54.4% of systems. Although DDR5 has entered the market, it remains in second place at 32.9% market share, having dropped by 2.9% compared to the previous year.

The memory crisis has also impacted the retail market, with RAM prices continuing to soar. Despite this, DDR4 remains the more affordable option compared to its successor, DDR5. Unfortunately, this trend is not isolated to PCs, as evidenced by the soaring prices of 16GB Raspberry Pi 5 units and a recent announcement from TeamGroup, a leading RAM manufacturer, warning of a prolonged chip shortage that could drag on until the second quarter of 2027.

This ongoing supply issue has already led to price surges in various products, including the Raspberry Pi 5 and a Nintendo chip supplier's exit from the ROM business.

Major tech companies are not sitting idly by, as they continue to grapple with the ramifications of this RAM shortage. Microsoft, for instance, has been working to optimize performance on 8GB PCs, while AMD has made a strategic shift, positioning itself more toward the data center market led by CEO Lisa Su. These developments highlight the ripple effects of the memory crisis, affecting a wide range of products and industries beyond just PCs.