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Last updated: August 9, 2026. The RAM shortage is still active. DRAM suppliers are reporting extremely tight conditions in the third quarter, while retail prices for ordinary DDR4 and DDR5 kits remain far above their 2025 lows. The immediate trigger is the competition for manufacturing capacity from AI accelerators, HBM and server memory—not a sudden shortage of only gaming DIMMs.
There is some moderation in the rate of increase: TrendForce currently forecasts overall DRAM contract prices to rise 13–18% quarter over quarter in Q3 2026, slower than the extraordinary increases recorded earlier in the year. That does not mean RAM is becoming affordable again. It means prices are rising more slowly from an already elevated base.
RAM shortage latest: the key figures
| Measure | Latest reported position | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overall DRAM contracts, Q3 2026 | Forecast up 13–18% quarter over quarter | Wholesale pricing is still rising, although the pace has moderated. |
| Conventional DRAM, Q1 2026 | Forecast up 90–95% quarter over quarter | This was a supplier contract-price forecast, not a universal retail increase. |
| PC DRAM, Q1 2026 | Forecast to rise by more than 100% quarter over quarter | PC-focused supply was particularly exposed. |
| Conventional DRAM, Q2 2026 | Forecast up 58–63% quarter over quarter | The second-quarter increase followed the earlier shock. |
| 32GB DDR5-6000 retail kit, U.S. | $399 listed by Tom’s Hardware on August 6 | The tracker’s historical low was $72. |
| 32GB DDR4-3200 retail kit, U.S. | $188 listed by Tom’s Hardware on August 6 | DDR4 has not escaped the shortage. |
Retail prices vary by country, retailer, brand, timings and stock. A lowest-available price is a time-stamped snapshot, not a recommended retail price or a permanent market rate.
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Why RAM prices are rising
AI memory is competing for DRAM capacity
AI data centers need large quantities of high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, alongside accelerator processors. HBM is not interchangeable with a desktop DDR5 DIMM, but it is made from DRAM and requires substantial manufacturing and packaging capacity. Suppliers are therefore directing more output toward HBM and high-capacity server memory, where margins and long-term demand are stronger.
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That leaves less conventional DRAM for PC manufacturers, module makers and the open retail market. The result can be an expensive 32GB desktop kit even when the physical amount of memory in that kit seems modest.
Cloud companies are securing supply in advance
Cloud-service providers are signing long-term agreements to reserve future memory allocation. This gives suppliers more predictable demand and pricing power, while reducing the volume available for spot purchases. It also means a retailer cannot necessarily solve a shortage simply by ordering more modules from a distributor.
New fabs cannot respond quickly
DRAM production depends on cleanroom space, specialist equipment, process qualification and packaging capacity. Micron says its 2026 bit-supply growth is constrained by cleanroom limits, long construction lead times, higher HBM conversion ratios and lower output during process-node migration.
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How much have DDR5 and DDR4 prices increased?
There is no single percentage that accurately describes every RAM product. The change depends on the memory generation, capacity, speed, region and comparison date.
Tom’s Hardware reported that a conventional 32GB DDR5 kit selling for roughly $100–$200 in October 2025 was starting at about $350 in August 2026, when available. Its August 6 U.S. tracker listed a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit at $399, compared with a historical database low of $72.
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DDR4 has also risen sharply. The same tracker listed a 32GB DDR4-3200 kit at $188. Reports cited by Tom’s Hardware put 32GB DDR4 pricing around $60–$90 in October 2025 and approximately $150–$180 by January 2026 in some cases.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →These figures support the conclusion that some kits have become three or four times more expensive. They do not support the blanket claim that “all RAM is up 400%.” A particular kit may have risen less—or more—than that figure.
Is DDR4 a cheaper alternative to DDR5?
Usually not at current prices. DDR4 is an older generation, but its supply is also under pressure. Manufacturers are not obliged to keep producing large volumes of a legacy product when capacity can be directed toward newer or higher-margin memory.
For an existing DDR4 computer, buying DDR4 may still be cheaper than replacing the motherboard, processor and RAM together. For a new build, however, choosing an older DDR4 platform solely to avoid RAM prices can produce poor value if the DDR4 kit is only marginally cheaper—or more expensive—than a comparable DDR5 kit.
Check the platform before buying. DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable, and a DDR5 motherboard cannot use DDR4 modules even if the modules look similar.
Could CXMT bring prices down?
China’s CXMT is becoming a meaningful additional DRAM supplier. Counterpoint data cited in the research puts CXMT at about 8% of global DRAM revenue in Q1 2026, with a later estimate of roughly 9% by bit shipments and a projection of 11% by 2028. CXMT also raised approximately 579 billion yuan—about $8.55 billion—in its July 16 Shanghai STAR Market IPO to support next-generation processes, HBM3 development and capacity expansion.
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- Requires overclocking/BIOS adjustments. Maximum speed and performance depends on system components, including motherboard and CPU.
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- 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.
That additional supply matters, but it has not immediately restored cheap consumer RAM. Reports indicate that HP, Asus and Acer have qualified limited quantities of CXMT memory for a small number of notebooks in non-U.S. markets. This is limited deployment, not a broad replacement of established suppliers.
CXMT-based products are not automatically inexpensive either. A 32GB Lexar DDR5-7200 kit using Chinese-made DRAM was listed at 3,999 yuan, approximately $592, on August 3. Comparable 32GB DDR5-7200 kits from G.Skill, Corsair and Kingston were reported at roughly $585–$700 in the U.S.
How long will the RAM shortage last?
No reliable source can provide a guaranteed end date. The current outlook points to elevated prices through 2027, with meaningful relief dependent on new capacity arriving in late 2027 or 2028.
Micron expects DRAM and NAND supply-demand conditions to remain tight beyond calendar 2026. TrendForce says significant capacity expansion is unlikely until late 2027 or 2028. Samsung has reportedly warned that constraints could be more severe in 2027 than in 2026 and may remain tight into 2028.
That does not prove that RAM will remain at its August 2026 peak for the entire period. Prices can fall before the structural shortage ends if demand weakens, inventories improve or suppliers change their allocation decisions. It does mean a rapid return to 2025 prices should not be treated as the base-case expectation.
Should you buy RAM now or wait?
Buy now if the computer is unusable
If a failed module, an under-equipped system or a required upgrade is preventing you from using the computer, buying a reasonably priced compatible kit now is defensible. Current forecasts do not indicate a near-term price crash, and waiting for late-2027 or 2028 capacity relief may cost more in lost use than the potential saving.
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- Lifetime warranty. ※Refer to the latest version on the official website. In case of discrepancies, the official website prevails.
Wait if the upgrade is optional
For a non-essential upgrade, waiting is reasonable—especially if your current system works and the price is far above its historical range. Track the exact product or an equivalent specification rather than assuming today’s lowest listing is a bargain.
Do not panic-buy an unsuitable kit
Shortages encourage buyers to purchase whatever is in stock. That is risky. Before ordering, verify:
- Generation: DDR4 or DDR5.
- Form factor: desktop UDIMM, laptop SO-DIMM or another format.
- Total capacity: for example, 32GB as two 16GB modules rather than one 32GB module.
- Speed and timings: such as DDR5-6000 and its latency rating.
- Voltage and profile: including whether the advertised XMP or EXPO profile is supported by your platform.
- Motherboard or laptop limits: maximum capacity, supported speeds and the qualified memory list where available.
Compare like with like. A cheaper 32GB kit may use a slower speed, different timings, a single module or a laptop form factor that cannot fit your desktop.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the current crisis does—and does not—prove
| Claim | Verdict |
|---|---|
| “All RAM prices are up 400%.” | Too broad. Some kits have risen three- or four-fold, but the result depends on the product and date. |
| “DDR4 is unaffected.” | False. DDR4 prices have also increased substantially. |
| “CXMT immediately fixes the shortage.” | Unsupported. CXMT is adding supply, but deployment remains limited and pricing is not always lower. |
| “New U.S. fabs will make RAM cheap this year.” | Incorrect. Micron’s published schedule puts first wafer output from its first Idaho fab in mid-2027. |
| “HBM is desktop RAM.” | Incorrect. HBM is a specialized product used mainly with AI and high-performance computing accelerators. |
| “A 95% DRAM increase means retail kits rose exactly 95%.” | Incorrect. Contract forecasts and retail prices measure different parts of the supply chain. |
What to watch next
- Q3 contract pricing: TrendForce’s 13–18% forecast will show whether wholesale increases continue to moderate.
- HBM and server allocation: More capacity moving to those products would keep conventional PC memory constrained.
- Retail stock: Daily price swings and sell-outs can make a single listing misleading.
- CXMT volume: Wider qualification and shipment outside limited notebook programs could add competitive pressure.
- New-fab milestones: Construction progress matters less than actual wafer output and qualified production.
FAQ
Why is RAM so expensive in 2026?
AI data centers are driving demand for HBM and server DRAM. Memory suppliers are reallocating manufacturing capacity toward those higher-margin products, leaving less conventional DRAM for PC and laptop modules. Cloud providers are also securing supply through long-term agreements.
Will RAM prices go down in 2027?
They may, but there is no guaranteed date. Industry forecasts suggest prices could remain elevated through 2027, with significant relief depending on capacity arriving in late 2027 or 2028. Prices could decline earlier if demand or inventory conditions change.
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Is DDR4 cheaper than DDR5 during the shortage?
Not necessarily. DDR4 has also experienced substantial increases and some 32GB kits are selling at very high prices. DDR4 can still make economic sense when upgrading an existing DDR4 system, but it is not automatically the best choice for a new build.
Should I buy RAM now or wait?
Buy a compatible kit now if your computer is unusable or the upgrade is necessary. If the upgrade is optional, tracking prices and waiting is reasonable. Do not pay any price for an unsuitable or unusually expensive kit based only on fear of further shortages.
The Bottom Line
RAM prices have not normalized: both DDR5 and DDR4 remain expensive, and the supply shortage extends beyond consumer memory. AI-related HBM and server demand is absorbing capacity, while new fabs will take years to contribute meaningful output. If you need memory to keep a system running, buy a compatible kit at a defensible current price; if the upgrade is optional, monitor the exact specification and wait rather than panic-buying.
Quick Recap
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.
