PC Memory Prices Have Gone Wild
If you have been thinking about upgrading your gaming PC or buying a new laptop, memory prices are about to give you a nasty surprise. RAM and even SSDs are going through what some are calling a memory apocalypse, and one of the clearest signs comes from Framework, the modular laptop and desktop brand.
Framework has announced that it is raising the price of its DDR5 memory modules for laptops by 50 percent. That is not a small tweak. It is a huge jump that directly affects anyone planning to buy memory through the company.
What makes this even more shocking is that Framework says that even after this 50 percent hike, its new prices are still lower than what you will typically see on the open market. In other words, if you go looking for similar DDR5 memory elsewhere, chances are it will cost even more.
This all fits into a much bigger story affecting PC hardware as a whole, especially for gamers and enthusiasts who care about performance and value.
Why Memory Costs So Much Right Now
At the center of the problem is the massive global demand for memory driven by AI data centers. Training and running large AI models is incredibly hungry work when it comes to both compute performance and memory capacity.
Framework offers a good example of just how extreme this demand has become. A single rack of Nvidias GB300 data center solution uses roughly:
- 20 terabytes of HBM3E memory
- 17 terabytes of LPDDR5X memory
That 17 terabytes of LPDDR5X is enough memory for around a thousand laptops. Now imagine an AI focused data center filled with thousands of these racks. Each one eats a massive amount of the same memory technologies that could otherwise go into consumer systems.
The result is a serious squeeze on supply. Memory manufacturers can only produce so much DRAM and NAND at a time. If huge portions of that output are being soaked up by AI servers, there is less left over for consumer products like gaming PCs, laptops, and SSD upgrades.
This pressure is not limited to regular RAM. The same trend is pushing up prices for SSDs and other storage components. Anything that uses modern DRAM or NAND technologies is feeling the heat.
Analysts and industry watchers do not expect this to be a short blip either. There are warnings that high DRAM prices and memory shortages could persist for years, with some forecasts suggesting that the situation might stretch past 2028 as major manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix try to avoid overproducing and crashing prices later.
How Framework and Other PC Makers Are Responding
Framework has been unusually transparent about the situation. Earlier on, the company was happy to call out big brands like Dell and Apple for what it saw as customer gouging on memory upgrades. But now, the realities of the market have caught up to everyone.
In its latest update, Framework calls the current memory market extremely volatile and says it will probably have to make more price adjustments across:
- DDR5 laptop memory modules
- Systems that include DDR5
- Systems that use LPDDR5X
- Configurations that rely on GDDR for graphics
There is a small bit of good news though. Framework says that existing pre orders will not be affected by the new price hikes. If you have already locked in an order with memory included, you should be safe for now. Also, its pre built laptops and the Framework Desktop that already come with memory installed will not see a price increase yet, though the company hints that could change if the market keeps tightening.
Framework also reminds buyers that it offers DIY Edition laptops that ship without memory or storage. That lets you:
- Reuse RAM modules you already own
- Shop around for deals from other vendors
- Delay the memory upgrade until prices calm down a bit
It is a useful option for PC enthusiasts who are comfortable installing their own components and want maximum flexibility in managing costs.
Framework is not alone either. Other major PC makers including Lenovo, HP, and Dell have all warned customers that broader PC price hikes are coming. As memory and storage get more expensive for manufacturers, they pass some of that cost on to you.
The bottom line is that the overall price of buying a new PC, gaming laptop, or upgrading your existing rig is expected to climb through 2026 and likely beyond.
What This Means For Gamers and PC Builders
If you are planning a new gaming build or a major upgrade, this memory crunch changes the strategy a bit.
- Do not wait too long if you see a good deal on RAM or SSDs. Prices are trending up, not down.
- Consider buying systems or parts that let you reuse existing memory where possible, like barebones or DIY kits.
- Be realistic about how much memory you really need. For many gaming setups, 32 GB of DDR4 or DDR5 is still plenty for smooth performance.
- Keep an eye on price tracking tools and retailer deals. Volatile markets sometimes create short lived bargains.
For now, AI data centers are getting priority on the most advanced memory technologies, and that is pushing costs higher for everyone else. If you are into PC hardware, gaming performance, or regular upgrades, it pays to stay informed about these trends. The decisions manufacturers make today about where their memory chips go will shape what your next GPU, CPU, or gaming laptop ends up costing.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/framework-raises-its-memory-prices-by-50-percent-but-says-it-is-highly-likely-that-we-will-need-to-make-further-price-updates-whether-ddr5-lpddr5x-or-gddr/
