DRAM Prices Skyrocket 171% Due to AI Demand and Ongoing Shortage

DRAM prices have experienced an extraordinary 171.8% increase year-over-year as of Q3 2025, driven largely by demand from the AI industry. The price hike is so severe that it now outpaces the recent increase in gold prices. This surge is the result of memory manufacturers prioritizing server-grade memory types such as RDIMM and HBM for AI applications, which has reduced the availability of consumer-focused DDR5 memory. As a consequence, mainstream DDR5 prices are now about double what they were in July 2025. Retailers like Newegg are reflecting these price increases, with products like Corsair’s Vengeance DDR5 kit rising from $91 in July to $183. Experts predict this trend will continue for the next few years, with DRAM shortages expected to worsen by 2026. This is not isolated to DRAM, as NAND flash and hard drive prices are also climbing due to high demand for AI server components. Given the limited supply and production prioritization for AI-related memory, consumers are facing challenges in finding affordable memory for personal use. For those considering upgrades, the advice is clear: buy now before prices increase further.