Understanding the Memory Crisis

What’s Going On

Memory chips are in tighter supply at the same time demand has surged. This surge is driven largely by the rapid build-out of AI data centres. These systems use huge amounts of memory, soaking up supply that would normally filter into everyday consumer products.

When supply tightens, prices rise quickly. Stock becomes unpredictable, and the extra cost gets passed down the chain. By the time it reaches retail shelves and repair quotes, it can look like memory has suddenly doubled in price overnight.

Why DDR5 Prices Are So High

DDR5 is the main pressure point because it’s now the standard for most modern systems. Many current platforms are DDR5 only, so there’s no easy swap to an older, cheaper type of memory on the same machine.

At the same time, the market has seen major price movement further up the supply chain. Even small increases at the chip level can become much bigger once they reach finished RAM kits and complete computers, especially when availability is tight.

The Knock-On Effect on Older Memory

Even though DDR5 is the biggest issue, it’s starting to have a knock-on effect on older memory too. As production focus shifts towards newer parts, older memory types can become harder to source consistently. When that happens, prices on DDR4 and even older stock can creep up as well.

In plain terms, “older” doesn’t always mean “cheap” when supply is being squeezed.

How Long Will It Last?

No one can give an exact end date, but this looks like a longer-running issue rather than a short spike. Some manufacturers have indicated that future supply is already heavily allocated. Meaningful increases in production capacity typically take years to bring online. That’s why we’re advising customers to expect higher than normal pricing and patchy availability through 2026. Improvement will depend on how quickly supply expands and how strong demand remains.

What Else This Will Affect

New computers and laptops will be the most obvious impact. When memory costs more, complete systems cost more. Sometimes this shows up as a higher price tag. Other times, it shows up as less value for money, like lower RAM as standard or a much bigger jump in price when you choose 32GB instead of 16GB.

Laptop buyers are hit particularly hard because many models have memory that cannot be upgraded later. That means you’re forced to pay the current market price upfront, with no easy option to add more in a year or two.

Repairs and upgrade quotes are also affected. A job that used to be a simple, affordable “add more RAM” can now be a much bigger bill. Sometimes the exact kit needed is harder to get quickly.

Custom builds, gaming PCs, and creator machines feel it more too. The higher the target, such as 32GB, 64GB and beyond, the more you notice price swings and stock shortages.

The Broader Impact on Electronics

Other electronics can be affected as well. Memory is used in a huge range of products, not just computers. This includes mobile phones, TVs, cars, and most technology that is classed as “smart.” If memory supply stays tight, it can contribute to higher costs, fewer deals, or slower availability across a wide range of gadgets.

It’s also already affecting the price of other computer components, especially SSDs, which are the modern replacement for traditional hard drives. Even if you’re not buying RAM, rising costs and supply pressure in memory and storage parts can make routine upgrades and repairs more expensive than expected.

Graphics Cards and Their Pricing

This situation may also feed into graphics card pricing. Graphics cards use their own type of memory. While the market is influenced by many factors, any wider pressure on memory supply and manufacturing can add to costs. This matters because graphics cards are already high-priced for many buyers, so even a small shift can be noticeable.

Making Smart Choices

If you’re buying a new computer, try not to under-spec the RAM. If you realistically need 32GB for what you do, it can be cheaper and less hassle to buy it upfront, especially on laptops.

If your current PC feels slow, don’t assume it’s always a RAM issue. In our business, many “needs more memory” complaints turn out to be storage, overheating, background software, or Windows problems. Fixing the real cause can save you money.

If you want, tell us what you use your computer for and whether you’re looking at a desktop or laptop. We can point you towards a sensible memory target without overspending.