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AI demand drives RAM prices up 500% in a year, crisis could last a decade

Global RAM prices have surged dramatically over the past year, with some DDR5 kits increasing by up to 500% and reaching ten times their lowest tracked prices. This surge is attributed to high demand from AI data centers, which have reportedly secured most of the global DRAM production capacity for 2027. Consequently, PC and smartphone manufacturers are facing severe shortages and significantly higher costs for memory components, with industry leaders predicting the crisis could last for another decade. AI

IMPACT Accelerates the trend of AI compute demand outstripping hardware supply, potentially delaying consumer tech upgrades and increasing costs.

RANK_REASON Significant price surge in a key hardware component driven by AI demand, with industry leaders predicting a long-term crisis. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.7]

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AI demand drives RAM prices up 500% in a year, crisis could last a decade

COVERAGE [1]

  1. Tom's Hardware TIER_1 English(EN) · Zak Killian ·

    Memory prices climb 500% in 12 months, up to 10x the lowest ever tracked prices — 128GB of DDR5 now $3,399

    Analysis of historical price data trends indicates that the memory crisis has driven RAM prices to never-before-seen heights.