Framework raised DDR5 SO-DIMM prices to $13–$18 per GB on March 9, 2026, its third monthly increase, according to the company’s price history and contemporaneous reporting. The warning of further increases belonged to that period—not to the latest update: on September 29, Framework reported a mixed picture, with some LPCAMM2 prices falling while selected in-stock DDR5 laptop configurations rose.
What changed in the March 2026 RAM increase?
Framework’s March 9 update raised prices for DDR5 SO-DIMM memory to $13–$18 per GB, depending on capacity. Tom’s Hardware reported on March 11 that this was the third increase in three months. It cited Framework’s earlier ranges of $10–$13 per GB in December 2025 and $12–$16 per GB in February 2026. These are historical Framework price ranges, not a statement of October 2026 retail prices. Framework’s pricing update history; Tom’s Hardware, March 11, 2026.
| Period | DDR5 price range reported | Context |
|---|---|---|
| December 2025 | $10–$13 per GB | Earlier Framework range reported by Tom’s Hardware on March 11, 2026. |
| February 2026 | $12–$16 per GB | Framework’s February range, reported by Tom’s Hardware on March 11, 2026. |
| March 9, 2026 | $13–$18 per GB | Framework’s updated DDR5 SO-DIMM pricing; amount varied by capacity. |
Why did Framework raise prices?
Framework attributed the March change to higher supplier costs and the depletion of earlier, lower-cost inventory. The company says it prices memory using a weighted-average cost model, so new supplier prices do not necessarily translate into an identical immediate change for every module or configuration.
Framework has also cited a supply-demand imbalance, including demand from AI data centers and slow expansion of production capacity. That is the company’s explanation; the available figures do not quantify how much AI demand contributes to consumer RAM prices overall.
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- ECC type = non-ECC, form factor = SODIMM, pin count = 262-pin, PC speed = PC5-44800, voltage = 1.1V, rank and configuration = 2Rx8
The company’s July 22 update concerned LPCAMM2, a different memory form factor. Framework said a supplier’s new LPCAMM2 cost was more than double the price of its previous inventory. That comparison describes Framework’s cost for a new shipment, not a retail-price increase of the same percentage across all laptops.
What happened after March?
Framework’s latest located pricing update, dated September 29, 2026, showed prices moving in different directions depending on memory type, inventory and order status. The September changes were not a reversal of March’s DDR5 SO-DIMM increase: the reductions applied to certain LPCAMM2 configurations, while some pre-built DDR5 systems became more expensive.
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- G.SKILL Ripjaws DDR5 SO-DIMM Series DDR5 SO-DIMM Memory Kit, Model: F5-4800S3434A16GA1-RS
- Non-ECC, DDR5 SO-DIMM, 262-pin, for Laptop/Notebook
- Includes JEDEC default profile, and Intel XMP 3.0 memory overclock profile
- Do not mix memory kits. Memory kits are sold in matched kits that are designed to run together as a set. Mixing memory kits will result in stability issues or system failure.
- Framework obtained additional LPCAMM2 shipments at the prior shipment’s price, allowing it to lower prices for 32GB and 64GB LPCAMM2 in new pre-orders. It had announced limited lower-cost stock and reductions in updates on September 8 and September 29.
- It raised prices for selected in-stock pre-built Laptop 13 and Laptop 16 DDR5 configurations as lower-cost inventory ran out.
- In July, Framework had described allocation changes for some later LPCAMM2 pre-order batches. The later reductions depended on the additional limited-quantity supply it secured.
Framework founder and CEO Nirav Patel wrote in the September 29 update: “We’ll continue to keep you up to date throughout, and we’re going to keep working to find lower cost memory and storage for you wherever we can.” The company did not present a certain market-wide direction for future prices.
Should you buy RAM now or wait?
These updates do not establish a reliable date when RAM prices will fall, or prove that every Framework memory option will keep rising. The practical choice depends on the exact laptop, memory type, and whether you are buying a new system or managing an existing order.
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- ECC Type = Non-ECC, Form Factor = SODIMM, Pin Count = 260-pin, PC Speed = PC4-25600, Voltage = 1.2V, Rank and Configuration = 1Rx16, 1Rx8 or 2Rx8
- Buying a DIY Edition: Framework says buyers can order DIY Edition laptops without memory and source modules separately. Compare the system price with the cost of compatible memory from another seller, and check the exact model’s compatibility guidance before ordering.
- Buying a Laptop 13 Pro with LPCAMM2: Do not substitute standard DDR5 SO-DIMM advice. The September reductions concerned LPCAMM2; confirm the precise model and supported configuration before purchasing memory.
- Already have an order: Framework’s price protections and adjustments depend on order status and configuration. Its March update said lower pricing would be honored on existing pre-orders when prices rose, while configuration edits could trigger updated memory or storage pricing. September’s LPCAMM2 reductions applied refunds or adjustments to specified shipped and pending orders. Check your order summary and the latest official update rather than assuming a policy applies to every order.
How to interpret the warning of more increases
The warning was grounded in Framework’s costs and inventory position at the time. It should be read as a dated risk for particular products, not as a current forecast for all RAM. Framework’s later updates show why: a new, limited LPCAMM2 shipment at an earlier cost enabled some decreases, even as lower-cost inventory ran out for selected DDR5 pre-built configurations. A future change depends on the supplier prices and inventory Framework can secure.
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- Actual memory speed may vary depending on the system, CPU, motherboard, BIOS settings, and supported memory configuration. DDR4 3200MHz modules may operate at lower speeds such as 2933MHz or 2666MHz when supported by the host system. Please check your device specifications and compatibility before purchase.
- Adherence to JEDEC and compliance to RoHS with respect to environmental protection regulation, production and manufacturing
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- Installation video is attached in product image. ※Refer to the latest version on the official website. In case of discrepancies, the official website prevails.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
