DDR5 RAM Prices Surge - How Much More Expensive It Got

DDR5 RAM has seen a dramatic price surge in 2025, with many kits now costing more than a decent monitor. What used to be one of the most affordable PC upgrades has become one of the priciest components in a build.

The jump is driven by strong demand from AI and data-center operations, which prioritize high-bandwidth memory. Manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are focusing on server-grade modules, leaving less supply for consumer DDR5. At the same time, DDR5 production is more expensive than older DDR4 memory due to advanced controllers, stricter validation, and more complex manufacturing.

Price Increase: Before vs Now

A 32 GB DDR5 kit that sold for around US $91 earlier in 2025 now costs about US $183, roughly a 100% increase.

Some kits jumped from US $88 to US $288, a 227% rise in months.

Month-to-month, 2×16 GB and 2×32 GB DDR5 kits have spiked by 15% in just one month.

This means that memory, once a small portion of a PC build budget, can now surpass the cost of a quality 27-32 inch monitor.

Will Prices Keep Rising?

Experts predict that high DDR5 prices will continue through 2026. Demand from AI and data-center sectors is still rising, while manufacturers remain cautious about expanding production too quickly. Until supply catches up or new memory technologies arrive, DDR5 RAM will remain a premium, expensive component.