Home / Technology / RAMageddon Hits Raspberry Pi: Prices Skyrocket
RAMageddon Hits Raspberry Pi: Prices Skyrocket
2 Nov
Summary
- Raspberry Pi 5's 16GB RAM model price increased by $80, now $385.
- CEO cites lack of alternative 16GB DRAM supply and component shortages.
- Small companies face higher memory costs than major tech corporations.
The Raspberry Pi 5's 16GB RAM model now costs $385, an increase of $80 announced recently, making it over three times its initial January 2025 price. CEO Eben Upton cited "a lack of alternative supply for 16GB DRAM, compounded by other ongoing component shortages" as the reason for this unavoidable price adjustment.
This price hike underscores the severity of the ongoing 'RAMageddon' crisis. The demand for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI development by major tech players is driving up memory costs globally. Smaller companies, like Raspberry Pi, are disproportionately affected as they lack the negotiation power of large conglomerates.
Memory manufacturers such as Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix are prioritizing multiyear contracts with major brands. SK Hynix projects that RAM demand will exceed supply until 2030, with long-term agreements already covering significant production. This situation leaves smaller gadget makers and their consumers facing escalating prices.
