GPU Prices Plummet as RAM Costs Skyrocket
▼ Summary
– Graphics card prices have stabilized, making it possible to buy mainstream to high-end GPUs like AMD’s Radeon RX 9060 XT/9070 series and Nvidia’s RTX 5060/5070/5080 series at or below MSRP.
– A shortage of RAM and flash memory chips has caused SSD and memory prices to skyrocket, driven by the AI boom and panic buying.
– Price comparisons show significant increases for components like DDR4 and DDR5 RAM and SSDs from August to November 2025, with some RAM kits more than doubling in cost.
– The price hikes affect SSDs and both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM across all capacities, with higher-capacity RAM kits experiencing the most severe increases.
– For those considering upgrades, it’s advisable to delay SSD purchases if possible and avoid RAM upgrades entirely by maintaining current hardware.
Now is an excellent moment to consider upgrading your gaming PC’s graphics card. After years of fluctuating costs driven by pandemic disruptions and AI-related shortages, mainstream to high-end GPUs from AMD and Nvidia are finally available at or near their suggested retail prices. Models like the Radeon RX 9060 XT and 9070 series, or Nvidia’s RTX 5060, 5070, and 5080, which were nearly impossible to find at reasonable prices just a few months ago, are now within reach for many builders.
However, this positive trend for GPUs stands in stark contrast to the situation for memory and storage. Anyone planning a completely new PC build or a motherboard upgrade requiring DDR5 RAM will face a significant financial hurdle. A severe shortage of RAM and flash memory chips has caused prices for SSDs and, especially memory modules, to skyrocket. This crisis stems largely from the massive demand driven by the artificial intelligence sector, a situation made worse by panic buying from both consumers and device manufacturers.
The scale of these price increases becomes clear when comparing component costs from just three months ago to today. For instance, a Patriot Viper Venom 16GB DDR5-6000 kit that sold for around $49 in August now costs approximately $110. Similarly, a Team T-Force Vulcan 32GB DDR5-6000 kit has jumped from $82 to a staggering $310. Even storage hasn’t been spared, with a 1TB Western Digital WD Blue SN5000 SSD rising from $64 to $111. It’s important to note that many of these items are frequently out of stock, and the listed prices reflect the last available selling point before they disappeared from virtual shelves.
These dramatic hikes impact SSDs and RAM kits across the board, affecting both DDR4 and DDR5 at all capacity levels. Higher-capacity RAM kits, however, are experiencing the most severe price inflation. If you were considering adding more storage, the increases for SSDs, while noticeable, are not yet as extreme. For those thinking about a memory upgrade, the most prudent course of action is to hold onto your existing RAM for as long as possible and hope it continues to function reliably. Upgrading right now means paying a heavy premium.
(Source: Ars Technica)
