The PC hardware market is facing another major disruption — a global RAM (Random Access Memory) shortage. Whether you’re building a custom PC, upgrading a workstation, or sourcing machines for your business, you may have already noticed the impact: higher prices, longer lead times, and limited stock of popular DDR4 and DDR5 modules.
But what exactly is causing this shortage, and how long is it likely to last?
At Chandler Computers, we’ve been tracking the situation closely to keep our customers informed. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening behind the scenes.
Why Is There a RAM Shortage?
1. Increased Production of High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM)
Manufacturers such as Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are shifting their production lines to meet the exploding demand for HBM, the ultra-fast memory used in AI servers and data centres.
Because HBM generates significantly higher profit margins, manufacturers are prioritising its production — leaving less capacity for traditional DRAM (used in PCs, laptops, and servers).
2. Growing PC Demand After Years of Slowdown
After a lull in the PC hardware market, 2025 has seen a surge in:
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AI-powered desktops
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Consumer gaming PCs
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Enterprise workstation upgrades
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Education sector laptop refresh cycles
This increased demand hit just as DRAM supply began tightening, amplifying the shortage.
3. Manufacturing Constraints & Supply Chain Bottlenecks
Memory fabs operate at extremely high utilisation, and scaling production isn’t something that can happen overnight. A limited number of companies control the global DRAM supply, making the market vulnerable to swings in demand.
How the RAM Shortage Affects Prices
The shortage has already pushed pricing up across all categories:
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DDR5 Desktop RAM: Prices have risen 10–25% in some regions.
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High-capacity modules (32GB / 64GB): The hardest to source and most affected.
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Laptop RAM: Particularly tight for DDR5 SODIMMs.
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Server Memory: Enterprise kits have seen the steepest price increases due to HBM prioritisation.
For businesses planning hardware upgrades, budgeting will need to take these fluctuations into account.
Who Is Affected the Most?
PC Builders & Gamers
Custom builders may struggle to find competitively priced DDR5 kits, especially high-speed or RGB models.
Businesses Upgrading Workstations
Companies refreshing fleet devices may experience delays or cost increases on RAM-heavy systems.
Content Creators & AI Users
Systems requiring large memory configurations (64–128GB) will be disproportionately impacted.
How Long Will the RAM Shortage Last?
Industry analysts expect the shortage to continue well into mid-2026, as HBM production remains a top priority for memory manufacturers, and AI infrastructure demand shows no signs of slowing down.
What You Can Do to Mitigate the Impact
Here are our recommendations at Chandler Computers:
1. Buy Early When Possible
Prices are unlikely to drop sharply in the near term. If your project is time-critical, securing RAM sooner may prevent higher costs later.
2. Avoid Over-Spec’ing Your Build
Many users don’t need 64GB of RAM. For most gaming and office systems, 16GB to 32GB is more than enough.
3. Consider Prebuilt Systems
Manufacturers often source components under long-term contracts, meaning prebuilts may avoid the worst of the price spikes.
4. Let Us Help You
We can source components through our trusted distributors, often at better pricing and availability than retail.
Need a PC Upgrade? We’ve Got You Covered
At Chandler Computers, we offer:
✔ Custom PC builds
✔ Business workstations
✔ Hardware sourcing
✔ Memory upgrades
✔ Performance optimisation
If you’re concerned about rising RAM prices or need advice on system specs, feel free to reach out to our team for tailored recommendations.
