AI infrastructure boom: The biggest driver behind the crisis is the rapid expansion of AI data centres. These massive compute clusters require vast amounts of memory — often server-grade DRAM or specialized high-bandwidth memory (HBM). As cloud companies race to build out AI infrastructure, they’re gobbling up huge portions of the world’s memory production.
Manufacturers shifting production priorities: Major DRAM producers (e.g. those behind DDR4/DDR5 for consumer PCs) are increasingly reallocating manufacturing capacity toward HBM and server-grade memory for AI, at the expense of standard PC memory. That reduces the number of DDR4/DDR5 modules available for gamers, builders, and general consumers.
Supply chain tightness & wafer constraints: DRAM manufacturing capacity is limited, and with part of that capacity now redirected to AI-targeted memory, there just aren’t enough wafers going toward the “normal” PC-memory market.
Sudden demand spike among retailers & system builders: As rumours and reports of shortage spread, many PC builders and retailers are stockpiling memory, buying available kits on the spot market rather than waiting for standard supply. This “panic buying” amplifies the shortage, making it harder for smaller buyers including individual consumers to buy memory before prices shoot up.
The net effect: memory modules that used to be plentiful and affordable are now scarce or priced far beyond what they used to cost just months ago.
Because DDR5 (and even DDR4) memory is becoming harder to secure and much more expensive, PC builders and integrators are already feeling the squeeze. Memory is one of the costlier components in a build, so as memory prices rise, so too must the total build price.
Company insiders report that contract prices for DDR5 modules (especially 32 GB kits and above) have been raised significantly, meaning even if memory remains available, the cost per kit is now much higher than earlier in 2025.
Some manufacturers and retailers are delaying or limiting shipments, or refusing new orders, because they can’t get hold of enough memory chips, meaning stockouts are becoming common.
This shortage will eventually force builders to raise pricing on finished PCs or compromise on memory quality, speed, or capacity.
As a result, any “custom PC” that includes DDR5 is likely to cost more in coming weeks or months, once the existing stock depletes and memory module costs become “the new normal.”
At Hex, we believe in transparency and we believe in giving our customers the best value possible. Because of the current RAM shortage and expected future price rises:
We want to warn anyone who is considering buying a custom PC from us to act now while our DDR5 stock still lasts.
After our current RAM inventory runs out, we expect to increase PC prices.
That means buying now locks in one of the last opportunities to get a powerful custom PC with quality DDR5 RAM at today’s (relatively) competitive price.
Once stock is gone or when costs rise, your choices may be between a more expensive system or a lower-spec build.
Final Thoughts
The 2025–2026 memory shortage is likely to be among the most disruptive cycles the PC-building world has seen in years. What was once a cheap, abundant commodity is now a scarce, highly sought-after resource and that scarcity is forcing price increases across the entire supply chain.
For anyone who’s been meaning to build or buy a custom PC: it’s probably better to act sooner rather than later. Once the next wave of price hikes hits (as industry insiders expect), a “budget-friendly” system today may cost significantly more tomorrow.
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Drop in to see us for device repairs or general advice seven days a week at 14 Home Street, Edinburgh EH3 9LY or give us a call on 0131 221 1117
We’re always here to help. Hex repair specialists are high-performing and trusted experts in the field of iPhone and other technology repairs. We only use genuine or highest quality replacement parts and always do everything that we possibly can to repair and restore your device, something many other repair centres can’t do or just prefer to sell you a new device.
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