- DDR5 pricing is already sky high and further increases look likely this year
- A 60% DRAM rise could push 32GB DDR5 modules beyond $500
- Server and AI demand is reshaping supply for consumer memory
DRAM memory prices have already reached elevated levels, and new forecasts indicate that they are set to rise even further.
Industry analysts predict a substantial increase in DDR5 costs in 2026, driven by tightening supply and shifting priorities within the memory market.
TrendForce anticipates that DRAM contract prices will surge by approximately 55 to 60% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a tighter supply across the market.
Worrying forecast
This increase is linked to suppliers reallocating advanced capacity towards server and HBM products, which constrains supply in other markets, as discussed in a recent article here.
It’s important to note that TrendForce's forecast pertains to contract pricing, not a guaranteed direct increase for retail modules. However, it highlights the potential pressure that could affect PC components if inventories tighten and manufacturers pass on costs.
For instance, a single Patriot Viper Venom 32GB DDR5-5200 module is currently priced at $325.99 on Newegg.
If retail prices were to rise in line with the upper end of TrendForce’s forecast, multiplying that $325.99 baseline by 1.6 would result in a price around $521.60, a figure that would have seemed unimaginable just a year ago.
DDR5 is particularly vulnerable as it shares production processes with server-focused memory.
Even with a softening demand, supply constraints continue to push prices upward, with NAND Flash pricing also expected to rise, albeit with different dynamics.
TrendForce forecasts increases across all NAND categories, with client SSD prices projected to climb by over 40% quarter over quarter.
For PC builders, the current outlook is challenging. Memory budgeting is becoming increasingly difficult, and components that were once considered secondary are now central to build decisions.
