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- DDR5 RAM prices increased by 123% this year, but in 2026, another 45% surge is expected.
- These price hikes may even force delays for new PC product launches.
- Similarly, GPU prices are also being raised as early as January 2026.
The AI boom has caused a worldwide DRAM shortage, and as a result, RAM prices have risen faster than gold’s price gain in recent times. Unfortunately, this is just the beginning, and things are about to get much worse for the PC market in 2026.
Just for reference, RAM prices increased by 123% this year, but 2026 will see an unprecedented level of changes as DDR5 RAMs are about to get another 45% surge on top of this price.
Why it matters: With how rapidly things are worsening, building a PC might be practically impossible for the majority, since DRAM affects components beyond just RAM.
One Korean media outlet reported that DDR5 RAM prices are expected to increase by 45% on top of the existing rates. Currently, a gigabyte of DDR5 RAM costs $10 for sticks up to 32GB and beyond, prices are even higher.
This is the exact reason why manufacturers are thinking of scaling back new laptop releases to just 8GB of RAM, and the same goes for mobile phones, and 2026 may see a return of 4GB configurations.
Moreover, the report further reveals that these high costs are set to delay PC product launches till the DRAM situation calms down, and spoiler alert, it won’t for at least a couple of years.
We anticipate that changes in our market response strategy, such as postponing product launches or downsizing our premium lineup, will inevitably be necessary.
Aside from RAM, AMD and Nvidia are reportedly planning on hiking GPU prices since their contracts that are based on previous memory prices end soon, and the new agreements will undoubtedly be based on higher costs.
The console side is experiencing a similar situation, and devices like the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and the Switch 2 may see an increase of 10-15% on their retail price. Next-gen consoles are also expected to be delayed from their initial release.
With only a few days left in the holidays and in 2026 beginning, this is the time to upgrade or buy new hardware as prices won’t be this low for at least a few years.
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[Staff Writer]
Shaheer is currently pursuing a Business degree while also working as a part-time Content Writer. With his deep passion for both writing and video games, he has seamlessly transitioned into a role as a Journalist. Over the past two years, Shaheer has contributed as a freelancer to various websites and landed positions on acclaimed platforms like Gamerant. Currently, his role at Tech4gamers is as a Features Writer, but he also covers News occasionally. Shaheer’s favorite gaming franchises are Assassin’s Creed and the God of War series.
Get In Touch: shaheerzahid03@gmail.com
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