RAM prices are climbing again, but this time it’s not just AI driving the surge. A new report shows that memory costs are spiking across nearly every category, from servers and smartphones to graphics cards. According to data from TrendForce and ComputerBase, DDR4 memory has taken the biggest hit, with prices jumping as much as 45% compared to the previous quarter.
This upward trend began when major chipmakers like Micron started winding down production of older memory technologies like DDR4 and LPDDR4. These chips were made using outdated manufacturing processes, which are now being phased out. As a result, Micron announced the end-of-life for several popular memory lines, leaving large buyers scrambling for alternatives.
The resulting shortage of DDR4 and LPDDR4X has disrupted the entire market. In a twist, DDR4 has even become more expensive than DDR5 in some cases. Prices for DDR4 used in PCs are expected to climb another 38-43% in Q3, following a smaller increase in Q2. Server-grade DDR4 is also seeing a sharp rise, with costs expected to grow by 28-33%.
Graphics memory hasn’t been spared either. GDDR6 prices are projected to go up by the same 28-33%, which could drive up the cost of budget and mid-tier GPUs. Meanwhile, the newer GDDR7, still in the early stages of adoption, might see a more modest increase of 5-10%. Smartphones will also receive the price change. LPDDR4X memory could rise by 23-28%, while newer LPDDR5X might go up 5-10%. These increases could put added pressure on phone makers right as they prepare for peak launch season.
Even specialized memory like HBM (used in AI and high-performance computing) is set to become more expensive, by up to 20%. While HBM represents a smaller part of the market, its price is a key consideration for enterprise and data center customers. Micron has stated that it will continue to support customers who require older DRAM in the long run, but only for smaller sectors such as automotive and industrial applications.