Why PC Prices Are Rising (And Why Waiting Might Cost More)
Individuals considering a new custom PC or system upgrade may have observed a notable increase in component costs. Specifically, prices for RAM (memory) and SSDs (storage) have seen a significant spike in recent months.
Understanding the factors influencing the global market is crucial, as these trends directly impact the cost of custom computer builds and what consumers can anticipate in the near future.
Why Memory Prices Are Increasing
The main reason for the current price surge is the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence. Leading global manufacturers, including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, are prioritizing the production of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) to meet the demands of AI data centers. This specialized, “enterprise-grade” memory offers higher profit margins compared to the standard DDR5 modules typically found in consumer PCs and workstations.
HBM production is complex, requiring approximately three times the wafer capacity of conventional DRAM. To satisfy the immense demand from major AI companies, manufacturers have reallocated their production facilities from consumer memory to HBM.
Consequently, the availability of standard PC memory has sharply decreased, even as consumer demand remains steady, leading to a significant imbalance between supply and demand.
Impact on Custom PC Builds
This scarcity affects the cost of components for every PC. Two specific components are most significantly impacted:
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DDR5 RAM: Standard RAM kit prices have risen sharply, more than doubling in the last two months. For instance, the cost of a 64GB RAM kit can now be comparable to that of an entire PS5 console.
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SSDs (Storage): The same manufacturing shifts impacting RAM are also affecting the NAND flash market, which is essential for SSDs. High-speed NVMe drives are becoming less available and more expensive as production capacity is redirected towards enterprise storage solutions.
Consequently, building a high-performance gaming or workstation PC today, identical to one priced just last month, will incur a higher total cost due to the volatile market value of these memory chips.
Duration of the Shortage
Industry experts do not anticipate a quick reversal of this trend. Projections extending into early 2026 indicate that supply will remain constrained. While new fabrication plants are under construction to address the increased demand, they are not expected to be fully operational until late 2026 or 2027.
Leading manufacturers suggest that a “memory supercycle” is underway, implying that contract prices for components are likely to continue increasing through at least the first and second quarters of 2026.
Summary and Recommendation
Efforts are being made to maintain competitive pricing and secure inventory, but global spot prices for DRAM and NAND are beyond direct control.
For those considering a new PC build, purchasing sooner rather than later is advisable. Delaying a purchase in anticipation of price normalization carries the risk of paying more for identical hardware. Securing a build now could help avoid future projected price increases.
