WATCH OUT FOR RAM PRICES!

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

I saw this, and had to share. Many of us enjoy upgrading, building, improving, and getting PCs ready for the holiday gift-giving season.

"RAM prices are so out of control that stores are selling it like lobster

Memory now commands market prices."

RAM prices are so out of control that stores are selling it like lobster

Catch of the day.

www.theverge.com

www.theverge.com/news/828337/ram-memory-shortage-crunch-market-prices-central-micro-center

"Memory MSRPs and fixed price tags disappear at Micro Center as some stores shift to spot pricing — Shopping for RAM just got a whole lot harder in 2025"

https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ram/shopping-for-ram-just-got-a-whole-lot-harder-in-2025-msrps-and-fixed-price-tags-disappear-as-some-stores-shift-to-spot-pricing

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

Are the prices of RAM affecting how you shop or upgrade your PCs?

If so, how?

stormy13 · Nov 25, 2025

PCUser said:
Are the prices of RAM affecting how you shop or upgrade your PCs?

If so, how?

Have you even checked out the current prices for DDR5? In some instances it has more than doubled in price in the last few months.

jimbo45 · Nov 25, 2025

stormy13 said:
Have you even checked out the current prices for DDR5? In some instances it has more than doubled in price in the last few months.

Still seems cheap enough -- just look for decent deals. Could be more expensive in USA because of "those tariff's" again. Just use VPN and source from different jurisdiction - then problem solved --Usually if you import stuff as "Educational Material" no customs / extra taxes are payable -- again it depends on where you are - check the local regs.

Cheers
jimbo

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

stormy13 said:
Have you even checked out the current prices for DDR5? In some instances it has more than doubled in price in the last few months.

@stormy13 I'm still running ECC DDR4 on many PCs, so I haven't had the need to get DDR5. I saw some of the prices though and couldn't believe it!

That said, I just checked 16GB ECC DDR4 laptop memory, and for 64GB of ECC DDR4 laptop memory, it could be $92-$104 per 16GB of ECC DDR4 laptop memory! 64GB of ECC DDR4 could cost $400.

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

@stormy13
Here's an example idea / scenario . . .

If you're an Amazon Prime member, why not login to Amazon.co.uk and buy
Crucial Pro DDR5 RAM 32GB Kit (2x16GB) 6000MHz CL36, Overclocking Gaming, Intel XMP 3.0 / AMD EXPO, Computer Memory (PC), Black - CP2K16G60C36U5B

Amazon.co.uk
166.66 Pound sterling equals
$218.68 United States Dollar

instead of paying $334
Crucial Pro 32GB DDR5 RAM Kit (2x16GB),CL36 6000MHz, Overclocking Desktop Gaming Memory, Intel XMP 3.0 & AMD Expo Compatible, Black - CP2K16G60C36U5B

Amazon.com

Because Amazon is a U.S. company, maybe you'd avoid the tariffs and save some $$$?

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

jimbo45 said:
Still seems cheap enough -- just look for decent deals. Could be more expensive in USA because of "those tariff's" again. Just use VPN and source from different jurisdiction - then problem solved --Usually if you import stuff as "Educational Material" no customs / extra taxes are payable -- again it depends on where you are - check the local regs.

Cheers
jimbo

@jimbo45 Or use Amazon.co.uk

Creative shopping / sourcing.

BamaInArk · Nov 25, 2025

The sudden RAM price increase has been going on now for several weeks. Multiple "PC Tech" channels have been discussing this. In general RAM prices have more than doubled. Of course this all has to do with AI facilities buying up most of the RAM.

Dark Knight · Nov 25, 2025

BamaInArk said:
The sudden RAM price increase has been going on now for several weeks. Multiple "PC Tech" channels have been discussing this. In general RAM prices have more than doubled. Of course this all has to do with AI facilities buying up most of the RAM.

Oh so this increase needs to be passed on to the everyday consumer?

I am so glad I got my DDR5 before all this started happening.

XxXxX · Nov 25, 2025

the 64GB of DDR4 Ram i purchased 3 years ago is now nearly 3x the price
thankfully no new computers or hardware upgrades are needed now.

best of luck Steve ..

Gas · Nov 25, 2025

Same here, my 32 GB of Gskill DDR5 cost almost double of the price I paid 6 months ago.

cereberus · Nov 25, 2025

Just be glad you were not needing a TB of RAM pre 2000!

Short term blips in any commodity happens.

jimbo45 · Nov 25, 2025

Just do due diligence search.
There;'s plenty of cheap DDR5 RAM around if you need it.
I'm not getting involved in poilitics here -- it's after all a Windows technical Forum - but look to who's in charge of your country and what their policies are on these issues.

I recommend ANYBODY with access to BBC iPlayer to look at the series Civilisations --rise and fall and start with the first episode -- ROME -- in around 390 A.D that empire had almost the identical problems that Europe (EU) / UK and USA in particular are having today.

Not getting any more involved - but if you can get access to the program well worth a watch. !!

Cheers
jimbo

glasskuter · Nov 25, 2025

Forget about any bargains in NVME drives this Black Friday. There are none to be found. I put off buying another storage drive intentionally waiting for this week and nada, zilch. In fact regular prices for larger drives have gone way up.

DJNelson · Nov 25, 2025

One of the benefits of making a hobby of recycling and rebuilding used laptops is I never have to worry about running out of spare RAM, SSDs and other parts that are interchangeable between various machines. It's amazing how many people throw away perfectly good hardware because of something simple like a cracked display. This bubble will pass.

gunrunnerjohn · Nov 25, 2025

I retooled all my computing in March/April and I have all the RAM, SSD, and HDD that I'll need for some time, problem solved.

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

XxXxX said:
the 64GB of DDR4 Ram i purchased 3 years ago is now nearly 3x the price
thankfully no new computers or hardware upgrades are needed now.

best of luck Steve ..

@XxXxX My sentiments exactly, we're in the same boat my friend!

Imagine getting a used PC or laptop with zero or not enough ram, the money you save buying used gets eaten up by the overpriced RAM just to get to 16GB or 32GB, and if going for 64GB, watch out!

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

cereberus said:
Just be glad you were not needing a TB of RAM pre 2000!

Short term blips in any commodity happens.

View attachment 154247

That's like saying imagine buying a 75" flat screen in 2005. Ridiculous.

Part of this ridiculousness is due to the insanely stupid tariffs, inflation, demand and the holidays, etc. It's a crap cocktail of sorts.

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

DJNelson said:
One of the benefits of making a hobby of recycling and rebuilding used laptops is I never have to worry about running out of spare RAM, SSDs and other parts that are interchangeable between various machines. It's amazing how many people throw away perfectly good hardware because of something simple like a cracked display. This bubble will pass.

@DJNelson Rebuilding laptops is the way to go! I do it too, and notice . . . we're both Dell Precision guys lol

Their build quality makes all the difference.

PCUser · Nov 25, 2025

glasskuter said:
Forget about any bargains in NVME drives this Black Friday. There are none to be found. I put off buying another storage drive intentionally waiting for this week and nada, zilch. In fact regular prices for larger drives have gone way up.

@glasskuter It's INSANE! Only used 128GB, 256GB, NVME drives are at reasonable prices . . . USED!

WATCH OUT FOR RAM PRICES!

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I recommend ANYBODY with access to BBC iPlayer to look at the series Civilisations --rise and fall and start with the first episode -- ROME -- in around 390 A.D that empire had almost the identical problems that Europe (EU) / UK and USA in particular are having today.​

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I recommend ANYBODY with access to BBC iPlayer to look at the series Civilisations --rise and fall and start with the first episode -- ROME -- in around 390 A.D that empire had almost the identical problems that Europe (EU) / UK and USA in particular are having today.