[News] 64GB DDR5 RAM Reportedly Now Pricier Than a PlayStation 5 Amid Soaring Memory Costs

Driven by explosive AI demand, memory prices are climbing at a pace the industry hasn’t seen in years. According to TechNews, citing PCMag, PC RAM costs have surged sharply, with a 64GB DDR5 kit now topping $500, which is more expensive than a Sony PlayStation 5.

The report notes that, compared with earlier this year, price increases now range from 120% to 200%, particularly for newer DDR5 modules. Data from PCPartPicker.com shows that the average price for a pair of 32GB DDR5 sticks (64GB total) has surpassed $600, up from around $200. The report also indicates, citing PCPartPicker, that prices for both DDR4 and DDR5 continue to rise.

For 128GB of DDR5 RAM, prices can reach $1,000—a steep jump from the typical $400 range. The report further highlights that this far exceeds the price of a PS5 Pro, which is currently discounted to $649 for Black Friday.

As pricing becomes increasingly unstable, the report, citing sources, notes that a Micro Center store in Texas has removed all posted prices for DDR5 products. Instead, the store has placed a sign instructing customers to speak with a sales associate for current pricing.

Rising memory prices are also raising alarms across the gaming industry. According to TweakTown, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney warns that skyrocketing RAM costs—driven by AI demand diverting DRAM capacity away from consumer products—will weigh on the high-end gaming market for several years.

In addition, as indicated by TechNews, industry sources note that AI demand is putting pressure on DRAM supply and could also result in SSD shortages, which in turn may drive up SSD prices. This tightening in memory supply could mean that smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices will become more expensive in 2026.

Beyond consumer RAM, the broader memory market is tightening. According to TrendForce, the memory industry has begun a robust upward pricing cycle, increasing overall system costs. This forces downstream brands to hike retail prices, which adds pressure on the consumer market.

Read more

• Tight DRAM Supply to Boost DDR5 Contract Prices—Profitability in 2026 Expected to Surpass HBM3e, Says TrendForce
• Rising Memory Prices Weigh on Consumer Markets; 2026 Smartphone and Notebook Outlook Revised Downward, Says TrendForce

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