Samsung Is Claimed to Have Raised DDR5 Memory Prices by Up to 50 as an Aftermath of the AI Hype
The global AI boom continues to reshape the semiconductor market, and this time it appears to be having a severe impact on PC memory. According to a new report from Reuters, Samsung is said to have increased DDR5 DRAM prices by as much as fifty to sixty percent as the company struggles to balance overwhelming demand from data centers with limited supply capacity.
Sources cited in the report reveal that contract pricing for thirty two GB DDR5 modules has climbed to two hundred thirty nine dollars. This represents a month over month increase of nearly fifty percent, a staggering rise that indicates severe pressure across the entire memory supply chain. Prices for sixteen GB and one hundred twenty eight GB DDR5 modules have also risen by approximately the same percentage, pointing to a system wide surge rather than selective adjustments.
As one of the world’s largest suppliers of DRAM, Samsung’s pricing decisions have industry wide repercussions. If Samsung raises prices, other manufacturers are likely to follow. The result is a memory market on the brink of a sustained inflation cycle, one that will likely make upgrades significantly more costly for PC gamers and general consumers.
The root of the shortage comes primarily from data center expansion driven by artificial intelligence workloads. Massive build outs require enormous quantities of both HBM and DDR memory to minimize latency and maximize throughput. These orders often reserve supply for years, leaving consumer markets with limited availability. DRAM and NAND constraints have worsened over the past several months as hyperscale companies place long term bulk orders to secure inventory at any cost.
Consumers have already been feeling the impact. Prices for DDR5 and even DDR4 modules have risen sharply in recent weeks, with many retail kits now selling far above the prices seen earlier in 2025. With Samsung leading a possible new wave of aggressive pricing, brands such as Corsair, Adata, Kingston, and others may be forced to adjust retail memory prices simply to maintain consistent supply.
The situation is unlikely to improve soon. As artificial intelligence models grow larger and more complex, demand for DRAM will continue to escalate. Unless new fabrication capacity comes online or data center demand softens, memory costs may rise even further through early 2026.
Have you already noticed the recent spike in DDR5 prices, and will it affect your planned upgrades? Share your thoughts below.
