Huge RAM Price Surge in 2025: 163-275% and more...
Source: Dev.to
Overview
The memory market is experiencing unprecedented price volatility in late 2025, with RAM prices surging dramatically across all segments. This surge is reshaping the economics of PC building, AI infrastructure deployment, and enterprise computing. Understanding the root causes and market dynamics is crucial for anyone planning hardware purchases or system builds.
Drivers of the Surge
Explosive AI Infrastructure Demand
- Data centers and cloud providers are consuming massive quantities of high‑capacity DDR5 modules to support large language models, inference workloads, and training operations.
- AI applications require substantial RAM for:
- Large context windows (128 K, 256 K, or larger)
- Model loading for inference
- Batch processing of multiple requests
- Data pipelines and preprocessing during training
Supply‑Side Constraints
- Manufacturers are shifting production capacity toward higher‑margin server and data‑center memory products, reducing availability of consumer‑grade modules.
- NAND flash wafer contract prices rose by over 60 % in November 2025, reflecting broader memory‑market constraints that ripple through the supply chain.
Impact on Different Memory Types
| Memory Type | Typical Price Increase |
|---|---|
| 32 GB DDR5 modules | 163 %–619 % (US to Japan) |
| 16 GB DDR5 chips | 50 %–200 % (regional variation) |
| 128 GB DDR5 modules | 60 %–275 % (regional variation) |
| DDR4 modules | Moderate increases, less severe than DDR5 |
The surge coincides with accelerating DDR5 adoption, creating a “double impact” for users building new systems. While DDR4 prices have also risen, the less dramatic increase may encourage some users to remain on older platforms longer or consider used DDR4 modules for budget builds.
Regional Price Table (32 GB DDR5‑6000 Kits)
| Country | Retailer | Previous Price (Sep 2025) | Current Price (Dec 2025) | Price Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Newegg | $149 | $392 | 163 % |
| United Kingdom | Overclockers UK | £119 | £379 | 219 % |
| Germany | Mindfactory | €139 | €379 | 173 % |
| France | LDLC | €139 | €521 | 275 % |
| South Korea | Danawa | ₩170,000 | ₩528,840 | 211 % |
| Japan | Kakaku | ¥16,000 | ¥115,090 | 619 % |
| Australia | PC Case Gear | AUD 199 | AUD 689 | 246 % |
Prices are for 32 GB DDR5‑6000 memory kits and reflect market price increases observed in November–December 2025. Actual prices may vary by retailer and specific product models.
Factors Behind Regional Differences
- Currency fluctuations: Weaker currencies relative to the US dollar amplify percentage increases.
- Supply‑chain proximity: Countries nearer to manufacturing hubs (e.g., South Korea, Japan) experience price changes more immediately.
- Market structure: Regions with strong local manufacturing or large enterprise sectors show distinct pricing dynamics.
- Tax and tariff policies: US tariffs of 25 % on memory from Japan and South Korea add pressure, though costs may be partially absorbed.
- OEM vs. retail pricing: OEMs such as CyberPowerPC report 500 % cost‑basis increases for RAM, aligning with the extreme retail spikes observed in some markets.
Impact on OEMs and System Builders
- CyberPowerPC announced price increases for pre‑built PCs, citing a 500 % surge in RAM prices and a 100 % rise in SSD prices since October 2025. Adjustments take effect from 7 December 2025.
- Maingear’s CEO warned that “prices will continue to rise,” suggesting that Black Friday 2025 bargains may be the last opportunity for favorable pricing before further hikes.
For builders, a system that cost roughly $2 000 in September 2025 could easily reach $3 000–$4 000 by December, with RAM accounting for a significant portion of the increase. In markets like Japan, where RAM prices have risen by 619 %, the impact is even more severe.