DRAM Prices Rise 172% in 2025 as AI Demand Strains Global Supply
The global DRAM market is experiencing one of its sharpest increases in recent history, with prices rising by an incredible 172% since the start of 2025. The surge is being driven by unprecedented demand from the artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing sectors, which have consumed nearly all available production capacity across major manufacturers.
According to a report from DigiTimes, Samsung “one of the world’s largest DRAM producers” has suspended contract pricing for DDR5 DRAM due to extreme market pressure. Industry analysts expect SK hynix and Micron to adopt similar measures as manufacturers focus on fulfilling large-scale, long-term AI and data center contracts.
Throughout the year, the rapid expansion of AI workloads and high-performance computing has redirected most DRAM production toward HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and server-grade DDR5, leaving little room for consumer products. As a result, spot prices for DDR5 16Gb chips have almost doubled within a month, reaching $15.50, their highest point to date.
Analysts predict that this trend will persist into early 2026, as limited wafer capacity and heavy AI demand continue to strain supply. Even traditional DDR4 memory is being redirected to cloud and enterprise environments, creating further shortages in the consumer market.
For everyday buyers, the effects are already clear. Retail memory modules from brands such as Corsair, ADATA, and G.Skill have increased between 20% and 40% in recent weeks. Many vendors have been forced to adjust pricing due to allocation shortages, while memory kit availability in major markets has tightened significantly.
Suppliers are prioritizing corporate and CSP (Cloud Service Provider) clients bound by long-term contracts, leaving the retail sector to deal with the remaining limited stock. This shift has made it increasingly difficult for PC builders to find high-speed DDR5 kits at reasonable prices.
For the DRAM industry, the situation is highly profitable. The AI-driven surge has boosted demand for advanced nodes and high-performance memory configurations, enabling manufacturers to maintain record revenue despite production challenges. However, this success comes at the cost of affordability and accessibility for consumers.
The upcoming holiday discount season might offer a short window of relief, with small promotions expected as vendors clear limited inventory. Still, experts warn that DRAM prices are unlikely to stabilize until mid-2026, once new manufacturing facilities and expanded wafer capacity become fully operational.
In the meantime, those planning PC builds or upgrades are being advised to purchase memory sooner rather than later, as prices are projected to keep climbing through the first quarter of next year.
Are you planning to buy new RAM soon, or will you wait in hopes that prices stabilize in 2026?
