Skyrocketing costs for RAM and SSDs are making PC upgrades significantly more expensive, driven by the insatiable demand from the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Consumers hoping to build or upgrade their personal computers are facing a harsh reality: key components are now priced at levels not seen in recent years.
The AI Boom’s Impact on Hardware Costs
The surge in prices is directly linked to the explosive growth of AI. Data centers require massive amounts of memory and storage to power increasingly complex machine learning models. This has created unprecedented demand for RAM and SSDs, effectively squeezing out other consumers and pushing prices into previously uncharted territory.
The price increases are striking. For example, the Patriot Viper Venom 16GB DDR5-6000 RAM kit jumped from $49 to $110 between August and November 2025 — a 124.5% increase. The Team Delta RGB 64GB DDR5-6400 kit saw an even more dramatic spike, rising from $190 to $700 (a 268.4% increase). At its peak just last week, the same kit was listed for a staggering $1,049.
Supply Chain Challenges and Market Volatility
The current crisis isn’t a sudden shock. Chip manufacturing operates on long lead times; today’s supply is the result of production decisions made years ago. The industry struggled to predict the surge in PC demand during the pandemic, followed by a rapid drop-off once buying habits normalized. This inherent volatility makes long-term planning extremely difficult for memory manufacturers.
The AI-driven demand is exacerbating these existing issues. Unlike the pandemic-era fluctuations, the AI boom isn’t expected to wane anytime soon. Data centers will continue to consume massive quantities of hardware, putting sustained pressure on supply chains.
What This Means for Consumers
For now, the best advice for anyone considering a RAM upgrade is to wait. Until production can catch up with demand, prices are likely to remain inflated. The market is unlikely to cool down until new manufacturing capacity comes online, a process that takes time and substantial investment.
The situation highlights the interconnectedness of the technology industry and the vulnerability of consumer markets to shifts in enterprise demand. While AI continues its rapid expansion, PC enthusiasts and casual builders may find themselves paying a premium for essential components — or postponing upgrades altogether.
