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AI Boom Fuels Skyrocketing RAM Costs
24 Nov
Summary
- AI demand is causing significant price hikes for RAM and flash storage.
- Some RAM kits have seen prices triple in just two months.
- Console and GPU prices may also increase due to VRAM and storage costs.
The surge in artificial intelligence development is directly impacting the cost of consumer electronics, with RAM and flash storage prices experiencing dramatic increases. This trend is primarily driven by the immense demand for memory by AI data centers, leading to significant price hikes for components like SSDs and DRAM. Consequently, gamers and PC builders are facing escalating costs for essential hardware.
Specific examples highlight the severity of the situation, with some memory kits seeing their prices more than triple within a short period. This inflationary pressure is expected to extend to GPUs, with potential price increases on the horizon due to the rising cost of VRAM. Manufacturers are advising consumers to purchase components sooner rather than later to avoid these anticipated price bumps.
Beyond PCs, the impact is also being felt in the gaming console market, with potential price adjustments on the horizon for popular models. Furthermore, the market for high-capacity microSD cards is tightening, suggesting broader implications for portable devices. Analysts forecast that flash storage prices will continue to climb through early 2026, as manufacturers adjust supply in response to demand and component costs.
