Rising RAM Prices Could Be the Next Big Problem for PC Gamers, as ASUS Warns of Massive Price Hikes if Shortages Continue

The DRAM market has been experiencing a steep and sustained surge in pricing throughout 2025, largely driven by unprecedented demand from the AI and data center segments. While the impact has already hit manufacturers and component suppliers, it now appears that the pricing shock may soon reach consumers directly. ASUS’s co CEO issued a public warning that if current market imbalances persist, the industry may be unable to sustain existing retail pricing structures for PCs and consumer hardware.

According to a report from Liberty Times, ASUS leadership described the memory market’s situation as a “common problem” facing the entire industry. With DRAM prices rising sharply and suppliers unable to keep up with demand, the cost pressures will soon ripple down to consumer products such as laptops, mini PCs, handheld gaming devices, and pre built desktop systems.

The co CEO noted that ASUS will evaluate distribution costs, partner expectations, and consumer demand to determine how retail prices will need to shift. Should the shortages intensify, ASUS may be forced to adjust both product mixes and pricing to compensate for the higher component costs.

This warning comes after multiple memory manufacturers, including Corsair and Adata, reported a temporary “order halt” driven by skyrocketing DRAM prices. The surge is largely tied to AI industry requirements, particularly for high bandwidth memory and DDR modules supporting large scale compute workloads. With AI infrastructure investment showing no signs of slowing down, consumer DRAM availability has become increasingly strained.

ASUS, one of the largest global partners for CPU and GPU manufacturers, is especially exposed to memory fluctuation due to the large number of devices it produces that rely on pre installed RAM. Any increase in DRAM costs directly affects the viability of maintaining inventory levels for gaming laptops, ultrabooks, mini PCs, and gaming handhelds.

Compounding the issue is an ongoing surge in consumer hardware interest. With the Windows 10 end of life deadline approaching, many users are transitioning to newer platforms such as AMD’s AM5 ecosystem. This upgrade cycle has added unexpected demand to an already constricted memory supply chain. Inventory depletion is now expected to accelerate as consumers seek to upgrade before support deadlines arrive.

Market analysts suggest that DRAM pricing is unlikely to stabilize in the near term. Instead, the trend points toward continued upward movement, with some experts predicting price hikes could intensify further during the first half of 2026. For PC gamers and hardware enthusiasts, this may translate into higher costs for DIY builds, reduced promotional pricing, and increased retail prices for memory dependent devices.

If shortages continue, RAM pricing could become one of the most significant challenges facing the consumer PC industry in the coming year.

Do you expect rising RAM prices to influence your next upgrade, or are you planning to wait for the market to stabilize? Share your thoughts below.