RAM Shortage Drives Up PC Gaming Hardware Prices

A shortage of DRAM, driven by data‑center demand and AI workloads, has pushed RAM prices far above pre‑2024 levels. Valve engineers say retail shelves lag bulk supply by three to six months, while Microsoft warns console manufacturing costs could rise fivefold by 2027. The high memory costs have raised the price of entry‑level PC gaming rigs, such as the Steam Machine, to over $1,000, and similar pressures affect Xbox Series X models now costing $800 for a 1TB version. A class‑action lawsuit has been filed in California against Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix alleging price‑fixing.