PC Memory Prices Are Exploding
Memory prices are going through one of the worst spikes the PC industry has seen in years, and it is starting to hit everyday buyers where it hurts. Major manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, and HP are all warning customers to expect significant PC price increases as we move into the new year.
Industry reports suggest Dell may raise prices by as much as 20 percent as early as mid December. Lenovo has told customers that all its current quotes will expire on January 1, 2026, a clear sign that it expects higher component costs in the months ahead.
The main culprit is the cost of memory. DRAM prices have surged because big tech companies are buying enormous amounts of RAM and storage for AI data centers. That heavy demand is creating shortages and pushing up prices for everyone else, including gamers and PC enthusiasts.
HP estimates that memory now makes up around 15 to 18 percent of the cost of a fairly standard PC. Its CEO has already warned that the second half of 2026 could be especially painful in terms of pricing. For anyone planning a new gaming rig or a major upgrade, that is not good news.
How This Affects Gamers and PC Builders
For PC gamers, the rising price of memory is more than just a boring industry story. It can have a direct impact on what you can afford to buy and how powerful your next system will be.
DRAM components have reportedly spiked by up to 170 percent compared to the same time last year. When one of the core components in every PC becomes that much more expensive, the entire system cost is dragged up with it.
This situation is already affecting multiple parts of the PC hardware ecosystem:
- Prebuilt systems are getting pricier Manufacturers are passing on the higher memory costs to customers, which means gaming desktops and laptops are set to become more expensive.
- Upgrades are tougher to justify A simple RAM upgrade that used to be relatively cheap can now feel like a luxury, especially if you need 32 GB or more for modern games and content creation.
- Other components are feeling the pressure The memory crunch is contributing to a broader slowdown in hardware sales. Motherboard sales, for example, are reportedly down by as much as 50 percent year on year, as many enthusiasts hold off on full platform upgrades.
For some buyers, the logical response is to delay non essential upgrades and ride out this storm. If your current system is still handling your favorite games, it might make sense to wait rather than pay a premium right now.
On the other hand, if you are already committed to a new build or you know you will need more memory soon, there is an argument for buying earlier. If projections are accurate and high prices last through 2028, there is no guarantee that waiting one more year will save you money.
Framework, Dell, and the Debate Over Fair Pricing
Not everyone in the industry is handling the crisis the same way, and that is sparking some public drama. Framework, the modular laptop maker known for its repairable and upgradeable designs, has openly criticized how some bigger brands are responding to the memory crunch.
Framework previously removed its standalone memory modules from sale to avoid scalpers taking advantage of shortages. More recently, the company posted that while it will have to increase its memory pricing soon, it will not use the situation as an excuse to gouge customers. That comment was clearly aimed at companies like Dell.
Framework is currently offering 16 GB of DDR5 RAM for around 80 dollars which is a very competitive price in this market. How long those prices can last is uncertain, but it shows that at least some vendors are trying to keep upgrades reasonably accessible.
At the same time, the story around Dell is not completely straightforward. A widely shared example claimed that Dell was massively overcharging for a RAM upgrade on one of its machines. However, on closer inspection the total price jump was likely caused by more than just memory with other component changes such as CPU core upgrades bundled into the configuration.
So while it is easy to point fingers, the reality is more complicated. Memory is genuinely more expensive at the component level and that cost has to land somewhere. Some vendors may be adding extra margin on top while others are trying to hold the line for as long as they can.
What is clear is that the rising cost of DRAM is forcing both manufacturers and consumers to rethink their choices. For budget conscious gamers, every extra dollar spent on RAM is one less that can go toward a better GPU, a faster CPU, or a higher refresh rate monitor.
The bleak part is that forecasts suggest this high price era could last for several years. With some analysts projecting that the memory supply and pricing mess might continue beyond 2028, there is no quick fix on the horizon.
For now, the best approach is to stay informed. Track memory and SSD prices before you buy, compare what different vendors are charging for RAM upgrades, and be ready to adjust your build plan. Maybe that new motherboard can wait while you secure a reasonable deal on DDR5. Or maybe you grab a prebuilt now before the next round of price hikes hits.
Either way, the memory pricing apocalypse is real and it is reshaping the PC gaming landscape for the next several years.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/lenovo-hp-and-dell-said-to-have-warned-customers-of-imminent-pc-price-hikes-so-i-hope-youve-already-picked-up-that-upgrade-you-had-your-heart-set-on/
