There may be growing concern that skyrocketing RAM costs will affect high-end gaming not simply within the quick time period, however the long run.
With the explosive progress of generative AI, AI information facilities are hoovering up the world’s reminiscence and storage provide, sparking worth hikes that some specialists concern may final for many years. Low-cost SSDs, DRAM, and HDDs are just about a factor of the previous, with costs rising as AI demand outstrips provide.
This has already triggered worth rises, with PC retailer CyberPowerPC asserting a hike for reminiscence modules throughout the U.S. and the UK “as a result of market situations.”
“Not too long ago, world reminiscence (RAM) costs have surged by 500% and SSD costs have risen by 100%,” CyberPowerPC said. “This has had a direct affect on the price of constructing gaming PCs since 10/1/25.” Worth rises thus kick in on December 7.
The affect on PC gaming may very well be important and long-lasting, Epic Video games boss Tim Sweeney tweeted. “RAM worth will increase shall be an actual downside for high-end gaming for a number of years,” he mentioned. “Factories are diverting vanguard DRAM capability to fulfill AI wants the place information facilities are bidding far increased than client gadget makers.”
The scenario has grow to be so uncontrolled that, as PCWorld reports, shops are starting to promote RAM at ‘catch-of-the-day’ market costs. As CyberPowerPC identified, these worth rises include the vacations proper across the nook, which is lower than excellent.
Simply checked the worth of the RAM that’s at present put in in my gaming PC; the AI bubble can not implode quick sufficient. pic.twitter.com/G7N5lthE9O
— Rin | 凛 (@TheIshikawaRin) November 24, 2025
“Bro cease being such a loser, get a gaming PC”
CPU: $500
GPU: $1000
Motherboard: $300
RAM: Notify me when out there
Main SSD: $150
CPU Cooler: $150
PSU: $150
Case: $125
OS: $50Simply take my kidney and go pic.twitter.com/nr257QpAr1
— Bahamut (@Icewallowcumin) November 23, 2025
However the challenge might stretch out for years to return. “The AI build-out is completely consuming up numerous the out there chip provide, and 2026 appears to be far greater than this 12 months by way of general demand,” Dan Nystedt, vice chairman of analysis at TriOrient, informed CNBC.
As CNBC factors out, AI servers primarily run on processors from chip designers like Nvidia. These AI processors closely depend on Excessive-Bandwidth Reminiscence or HBM. Nystedt mentioned AI server corporations are prepared to pay high greenback for premium chips. “It may very well be very dangerous for PCs, laptops, client electronics and automotive, which rely upon low cost reminiscence chips,” he added.
And there’s concern for the worth of online game consoles, too. There are on-line rumors that Microsoft might quickly be compelled to up the worth of Xbox consoles once more in response to the RAM crunch. Valve has but to announce a worth for its next-gen Steam Machine, and fluctuating RAM costs might have one thing to do with it.
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Picture by Mohamad Salaheldin Abdelg Alsayed/Anadolu by way of Getty Photos.
Wesley is Director, Information at IGN. Discover him on Twitter at @wyp100. You possibly can attain Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.