DRAM Prices Expected To Soar As Memory Makers Prioritize Server DDR5 Over PC Memory

PC DRAM prices are forecasted to soar even further as major DRAM makers shift their focus to increasing the production of server DDR5 RAM. Major DRAM Makers Prioritize Server DRAM and HBM Production, Impacting the PC DRAM Prices; Both DDR4 and DDR5 DRAM Are Expected to See Price Surge

It looks like DDR5 RAM prices will climb in the coming months as major DRAM manufacturers prioritize supplying more DRAM chips to their server customers. According to TrendForce, the three leading DRAM makers - Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron - are putting server DRAM and HBM production first, which will squeeze the supply of PC, mobile, and consumer DRAM. This news comes shortly after Samsung was reported to be raising DRAM and NAND prices by up to 30%.

Due to this imbalance in supply, DRAM prices are already rising noticeably, affecting both older memory like DDR4 and LPDDR4X, as well as newer modules like DDR5, LPDDR5X, and GDDR7. TrendForce forecasts that conventional DRAM prices will increase by 8–13% quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025. When HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) is factored in, the increase could go as high as 13–18%.

Another contributing factor is the decline in PC sales in Q4 2025, with OEMs buying less DRAM due to weak demand. Since DRAM makers are heavily focused on servers, PC DDR4 and DDR5 memory are receiving less production attention. On the other hand, cloud service providers (CSPs) in the US and other regions are aggressively ramping up server builds, drawing more attention from memory makers. Some CSPs are expected to begin bulk DRAM purchases early in Q4 instead of waiting until next year, tightening supply further.

There’s also uncertainty regarding the future as DRAM suppliers may shift their focus to HBM4 in the first half of 2026 instead of DDR5, which could further squeeze PC DRAM availability. Mobile DRAM is also affected, with LPDDR4X and LPDDR5X projected to see significant price hikes. LPDDR4X is expected to surge by around 10% QoQ in Q4 2025, though it remains unclear how severely LPDDR5X will be impacted.

GPU memory is not exempt from this trend. Both GDDR7 and GDDR6 are expected to face price increases. GDDR7 is currently used in modern GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 6000 and GeForce RTX 50 series, while AMD’s Radeon RX 7000 series still relies on GDDR6. However, GDDR6 supply is reportedly tighter than GDDR7, meaning its prices may rise even faster.

With DRAM prices expected to soar across PCs, servers, and mobile devices, do you think consumers will hold off on upgrades until the market stabilizes, or will demand keep rising despite the increases?