Samsung Raises DDR5 RAM Prices by 100%

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With the current shortage of computer parts, Samsung has rapidly increased the price of its DRAM, which is used in RAM like DDR5, to nearly $20. This means shoppers will likely pay more for these essential components. Samsung explains the sudden price increase is due to a complete lack of available DRAM in their inventory.

Samsung is currently South Korea’s largest company and a leading manufacturer of computer memory (RAM), competing with companies like SK Hynix and Micron. They supply memory to major brands like G.Skill and Corsair. Beyond computers and smartphones, Samsung also makes storage for PCs, phones, and gaming consoles, including various SD cards and the newer, faster microSD Express format. The Nintendo Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards as its primary expandable storage, and Samsung’s P9 Express card is a popular, affordable option for gamers looking to increase their console’s storage capacity.

PC Builders Will Bear the Cost of Samsung’s Price Hike

The cost of DDR5 RAM is rapidly increasing, and a new report suggests Samsung is the reason. According to a report from Taiwanese media and shared online, Samsung has more than doubled the price it charges for DRAM – the memory chips used in RAM – from around $7 to $19.50 per unit. This is the wholesale price Samsung and other manufacturers like SK Hynix offer to companies that make RAM kits, such as Corsair. These companies then add the chips to circuit boards and heatsinks before selling the final product to consumers. Because of ongoing supply shortages, the price of RAM kits has soared, now costing over four times what they did before October 2025.

Samsung recently announced through reports that it’s completely sold out of DRAM chips, leading them to double the price they charge for contracts. This will increase the cost of DDR5 and DDR4 RAM that uses Samsung parts. For example, the price of a 16GB DDR4 module from Samsung has risen to $18. This price increase isn’t limited to RAM; Samsung also plans to raise prices on its smartphones and tablets. Currently, the high-end Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is already selling for $1,999.

Samsung’s Decision Comes at the Worst Time for PC Gamers

Samsung recently announced a change in its plans, following a similar move by its competitor, Micron. Micron revealed it will stop making RAM and SSDs for everyday consumers, focusing instead on producing parts for businesses and large organizations. This means Micron’s Crucial brand, a well-known name in PC parts for nearly three decades, will end production on February 28, 2026. Micron explained this shift is designed to ensure the company’s future success, particularly as demand grows for DRAM used in powerful AI servers. Despite ending consumer production, Micron will continue to honor warranties and provide support for existing Crucial products after the cutoff date.

Because Samsung also makes and sells fast storage drives (NVMe SSDs) like the 990 Pro, the cost of storage is also expected to go up due to the current shortage and price increases in RAM. With companies such as Google and OpenAI constantly building new data centers that need memory (DRAM) from Samsung and SK Hynix, it’s unclear when consumers will see prices stabilize.

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2025-12-17 02:06