RAM Shortage Drives Up Framework Desktop PC Prices
▼ Summary
– Framework has increased the price of its desktop PC due to a global memory shortage.
– The base model with 32GB RAM and an AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 chip now starts at $1,139, up from $1,099.
– The company states the price adjustment is necessary to cover supplier cost increases for LPDDR5x memory.
– Higher-end configurations with more RAM and a Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 chip have also seen price hikes.
– Framework had previously warned in December that further price adjustments were likely.
The cost of building a powerful, modular desktop computer is on the rise, with Framework announcing price increases for its Desktop PC lineup. This move comes directly in response to a global shortage of memory components, specifically LPDDR5x RAM, which has driven up costs for manufacturers across the industry. The company confirmed the change in a social media post, stating it had delayed the decision as long as possible but could no longer absorb the supplier price hikes.
Just a few weeks after increasing prices for its standalone RAM modules, Framework has now adjusted the cost of its complete desktop systems. The base model, equipped with 32GB of RAM and an AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 processor, now starts at $1,139, a $40 increase from its previous $1,099 price point. The company emphasized that its pricing adjustments are calculated strictly to cover the higher component costs, not to increase its profit margins.
Models with more memory and a more powerful chip have seen even steeper increases. The configuration featuring 64GB of RAM and a Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 chip has risen from $1,599 to $1,639. The most significant jump affects the high-end 128GB RAM option, which now costs $2,459, a substantial $460 increase from its former price of $1,999. This latest adjustment follows a warning from the company in December, where it indicated that further module price changes were very likely within the following month due to volatile market conditions.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in the consumer electronics supply chain, where shortages of key components can quickly translate into higher prices for end users. For customers interested in Framework’s repairable and upgradeable systems, these increases underscore the impact of broader market forces on even the most thoughtfully designed hardware.
(Source: The Verge)
