Why DDR4 and DDR5 RAM prices are soaring for gamers

Calls for a “RAM boycott” are getting louder in gaming circles, with the hope of pressuring manufacturers to cut prices. Analysts argue such a move would barely register on the market — and the reasons are hard to ignore.

Despite heated debates on social media, the climb in DDR4 and DDR5 prices isn’t about retail markups but about global supply-chain dynamics. In the wake of the pandemic and a drop in demand, DRAM makers cut output years ago, while many gamers stayed on older platforms like AM4, depressing demand further. Production lines were redirected to more profitable segments, and today’s shortage is a direct consequence.

Now the biggest sink for memory is the artificial intelligence sector. DRAM, LPDDR, GDDR, RDIMM, and especially HBM are being bought in bulk by companies building and running AI chips. That’s where manufacturers are channeling most of their capacity — PC gaming brings in less profit, so it simply doesn’t come first. Even if gamers paused purchases entirely, overall demand wouldn’t budge: large companies are absorbing everything that can be made. In this setup, the retail market ends up as an afterthought.

If a boycott can’t move the market, PC users are better off playing it smart. With 8–16 GB already in the system, it’s wiser to hold off on upgrades and wait out the rush. Buying RAM now means paying a premium for something you can swap later. If an upgrade can’t be postponed, the most practical approach is to hunt for seasonal discounts or consider a prebuilt PC, where component pricing hasn’t fully caught up with the memory squeeze.

Experts also warn that if DRAM supply stays tight, consumer device prices will keep rising. Current forecasts point to a market that may not normalize until 2027, so gamers should watch pricing closely and avoid impulse spending.