DDR5 RAM prices surge due to AI data center demand

Memory prices are experiencing significant upward pressure, driven largely by high demand from artificial intelligence data centers. Reports indicate that DDR5 RAM prices have increased by more than 500 percent over the past year, complicating costs for PC builders.

As a market benchmark, the price for a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit has risen to approximately $450, up from $400 in August. Even slower, lower-spec memory kits are seeing substantial price hikes compared to historical levels. This supply strain is impacting the broader computing market, contributing to a decline in computer shipments.

Amidst these rising costs, some retailers are offering temporary discounts. For instance, a V-Color Manta XSky 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 kit has been noted at a 30-day low price of $460 at Newegg when using specific promotional codes.