this post was submitted on 25 Nov 2025
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RAM is so expensive that stores are selling it at market prices (www.pcworld.com)
submitted 1 day ago by throws_lemy@lemmy.nz to c/technology@lemmy.world
197 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Generative “AI” data centers are gobbling up trillions of dollars in capital, not to mention heating up the planet like a microwave. As a result there’s a capacity crunch on memory production, shooting the prices for RAM sky high, over 100 percent in the last few months alone. Multiple stores are tired of adjusting the prices day to day, and won’t even display them. You find out how much it costs at checkout.

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[–] Eyekaytee@aussie.zone 14 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I was like DDR4 doesn't count

One well-documented memory industry trend that is behind the price increases seen is said to be makers shutting down their DDR4 production in favor of DDR5 and other more profitable lines. In February, we noted that the likes of Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix were being rudely elbowed out of the DDR4 market by Chinese players (such as CXMT and Fujian Jinhua) ruthlessly undercutting them in this segment.

Samsung was seen to flinch in late April, as reports circulated that the South Korean technology and manufacturing giant had scheduled to cease DDR4 production in early June.

Now there are indications that oversupply from Chinese ‘dumping’ is at an end, as CXMT has been instructed by the Chinese government to abandon DDR4 manufacturing. Thus, the reported spikes in DDR4 pricing in recent weeks may stem from a perfect storm of the above supply-side factors all exerting an effect over a relatively short period of time.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ddr4-prices-continue-surge-reportedly-122337204.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

But still ouch :)

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[–] Valmond@lemmy.world 9 points 1 day ago

Sells st a lower price: the web: they were Ruthlessly undercutting!!

They even don't need to lower prices to "undercut", just not raise them too much!

[–] ulterno@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Oh no.
So even if I manage to somehow get DDR4 for lower prices, I can't expect the SK Hynix modules.

Guess it's going to be a few more years before I can get a RAM upgrade, or maybe never at all.
It might end up being similar to how DDR3 ended up being more expensive than DDR4 for multiple years.

[–] Trainguyrom@reddthat.com 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I mean since it's driven by demand from companies running AI models it's mostly impacting higher speed modules with lower speed/capacity kits being less significantly impacted. Granted that's also pushing demand up for those lower speed kits since for gamers quantity matters far more than speed, meanwhile AI really cares about speed most

[–] ulterno@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago

I am going by mainly 2 points:

  • DDR4 being dropped in favour of DDR5
    • What if the places with high quality output end up just staying on DDR5
  • DDR4 being taken by the cheaper manufacturers
    • Ever since seeing how well my old SK Hynix DDR2 has lasted, I have been kinda partial to it. paying $10 - 15 extra to get something that I won't have to replace for the device's lifetime (~20 years) makes sense to me
    • The new modules made by the cheaper ones might not end up being as good and reviews may be hard to find as most enthusiasts that do quality testing, tend to do so only when the tech is new (and now that is DDR5)