DDR5 memory prices may stay high until 2028 as AI demand strains supply
PC builders hoping for cheaper DDR5 memory may have to wait much longer than expected. According to comments shared in a recent interview with AMD’s David McAfee, Vice President and General Manager of Client Channel Business, DDR5 pricing could take roughly two more years to return to more normal levels.
That timeline suggests elevated RAM prices may continue through 2026 and 2027, with broader relief potentially arriving around 2028.
The main reason behind the continued pressure is the rapid growth of artificial intelligence. AI servers and data centers require huge amounts of high-performance memory, and that demand has reshaped priorities across the memory industry. As a result, major manufacturers are increasing production capacity for DDR5 and related memory technologies, but building and expanding fabrication facilities takes time.
The shift from DDR4 to DDR5 has also affected supply. As memory makers focus more heavily on DDR5 production, DDR4 output has declined over the past few years. That has created an unusual market situation where both newer DDR5 kits and older DDR4 modules are seeing strong demand and higher prices.
DDR5 memory is currently selling at sharply increased prices in many regions. In some markets, buyers are reportedly seeing prices several times higher than what they were used to paying before the shortage. This has made building or upgrading a modern PC much more expensive, especially for users moving to current-generation platforms that require DDR5.
Because of these price hikes, many budget-conscious PC gamers and system builders are turning back to DDR4-based platforms. Even though DDR4 prices have also increased, older platforms can still offer better value compared with a full DDR5 upgrade. This has helped keep demand for DDR4 memory surprisingly strong, even as the industry continues its long-term transition to DDR5.
Motherboard manufacturers appear to be responding to that demand as well. More DDR4-compatible motherboards are being produced or kept available for buyers who want a lower-cost path into PC gaming, productivity, or general desktop use. Older but still powerful processors also remain attractive, especially popular gaming chips such as AMD’s Ryzen 7 5800X3D, which continues to be a favorite among users looking for strong performance without switching to a newer DDR5 platform.
For consumers, the message is clear: DDR5 prices may not drop quickly. Anyone planning a PC build in the near future may need to budget more carefully for memory or consider whether a DDR4 platform still makes sense for their needs.
For high-end users, DDR5 remains the better long-term option, especially for newer AMD and Intel systems. However, for gamers and everyday users trying to control costs, DDR4 may continue to be a practical alternative until DDR5 supply improves and prices finally begin to stabilize.
If current expectations hold, the RAM market may not return to a more balanced state until around 2028. Until then, strong AI demand, limited supply expansion, and the ongoing platform transition are likely to keep memory prices higher than many PC builders would like.
