• Marvell reveals Photonic Fabric Memory Module, the building block of a 16-module appliance sharing 32TB of DDR5 and 1,152GB of HBM3e across 16 hosts over fiber
• The design dates back to Celestial AI's 2025 presentations, currently remains pre-silicon, and is targeting customer sampling by 2027
• Nvidia is already hedging with a $2 billion Marvell stake in addition to its own BlueField-4 STX context memory, Enfabrica's pooling tech, and a co-packaged optics roadmap

Marvell has put physical hardware behind one of the more ambitious ideas in AI infrastructure.

In a video posted to X, and earlier in a theCUBE interview recorded around its October 6 Investor Day, the company showed off its Photonic Fabric Memory Module, which it bills as the "first optically interconnected high-capacity, high-bandwidth memory."

The pitch is simple: use light instead of copper so that dozens of terabytes of memory can sit in a separate box, racks away, and be shared by many processors at once, something that could effectively birth the widespread use of communal or shared memory across multiple AI servers.

Two terabytes at a time

Some clarity, however, is warranted: the 32TB figure belongs not to the module but to the Photonic Fabric Memory Appliance, which gangs 16 modules together and shares the pool across up to 16 hosts.

Those hosts can be whole servers or individual accelerators, so 16 GPUs might understate the potential reach in one sense and at the same time, overstate the bandwidth any single GPU will see in another. Nothing is shipping just yet, either: Marvell is targeting customer sampling in 2027.

Each module pairs 72GB of HBM3e with slots for up to eight DDR5 DIMMs, a Photonic Fabric ASIC, and 7.2Tbps of optical I/O, according to Marvell's August 2026 Hot Interconnects presentation.

Hitting 2TB per module means filling all eight slots with 256GB RDIMMs and sixteen modules, joined by a passive all-to-all fiber shuffle rather than an electrical switch, yields 32TB of DDR5 plus 1,152GB of HBM3e, which Marvell rounds to about 1TB and runs as a faster write-through cache in front of the DRAM.

Marvell is going after the economics of today's accelerators. HBM sits roughly 1.5 millimeters from the processor inside the same package, so the only way to buy more of it is to buy more processors. This is increasingly expensive because HBM is extremely costly, and it also means a GPU essentially acts as "the world's most expensive memory controller," as per Dave Lazovsky.

The target workload is the KV cache, the working memory a large language model keeps for each conversation, which balloons with long contexts and agentic sessions. Once it outgrows local HBM and host DRAM, servers either evict it and recompute, or fetch it from much slower storage. This has significant performance implications, and Marvell plans to mitigate it differently.

Ravi Mahatme, who leads product management for the Photonic Fabric unit, said the biggest payoff of a shared tier is "a cross-node KV cache," letting one accelerator reuse context another has already computed. Will Chu, Marvell's EVP of Custom Cloud Solutions, made the broader case in the company's FMS announcement: "As AI scales, memory must scale more independently of compute."

The CAPEX argument is rooted in this: If operators can buy memory separately from accelerators, they no longer need to buy GPUs just to get capacity. This makes sense, but Marvell has yet to put a number to it, even as a May 2026 company blog talks about lower memory cost per gigabyte and lower inference costs without figures, and Celestial AI's 2025 conference slides promised benefits beyond TCO reduction with no supporting numbers.

The timing also isn't ideal for harnessing cheap memory: the approach's 128 DIMM slots draw on the same DDR5 caught up in the current memory crunch, where server RDIMM prices have climbed faster than consumer memory, now around 5.5 times their pre-crisis price in the US.

The appliance design is not entirely new either; Celestial AI presented the same architecture, 16 modules holding 32TB of DDR and about 1TB of HBM, at Hot Interconnects in August 2025, and TechRadar has covered its DDR5-plus-HBM approach back in 2024. What has changed is the Marvell badge, a physical module, and a sampling date.

Nvidia is already hedging, both as an investor and a pioneer

The idea that Nvidia won't sit idle is more than an assumption, because it has been moving for more than a year, including taking a stake in Marvell itself. In March 2026, Nvidia invested $2 billion in Marvell in a deal covering NVLink Fusion and silicon photonics, with Jensen Huang declaring that "The inference inflection has arrived."

It is also important to understand that every NVLink Fusion platform must include at least one Nvidia product, so Nvidia gets paid even when custom silicon wins the socket, but that doesn't mean it doesn't want a piece of that pie anyway.

It is bringing its own answers to the same memory problem in multiple ways; A single Vera Rubin NVL72 rack carries 54TB of LPDDR5X, more than Marvell's entire appliance.

At Nvidia GTC 2026, the company launched BlueField-4 STX, a flash-based context memory tier built for KV cache, claiming up to five times the token throughput of CPU-based storage, with Huang saying reasoning AI needs "a new class of storage." Partner systems are due in the second half of 2026. Back in 2025, Nvidia reportedly spent more than $900 million on Enfabrica, whose EMFASYS system pooled up to 18TB of memory for GPU clusters.

On optics, Nvidia has put $4 billion into Lumentum and Coherent, unveiled photonics switches at GTC 2025, and will offer co-packaged optics as an NVLink option in Feynman-generation systems due in 2028. On the choice between copper and optical scale-up, Huang has said: "We're going to do both."

Marvell still has a long way to go: working silicon, a named customer, a memory partner, and measured throughput on real hardware rather than simulated curves all need to play out exactly as planned.

Until then, the appliance is a well-argued blueprint, and the CAPEX savings remain an argument rather than a number. The irony is hard to miss: the company whose GPUs Lazovsky casts as the world's priciest memory controller owns a $2 billion slice of Marvell, and through NVLink Fusion, stands to earn on the racks either way.

DDR5 is the memory standard for newer PCs, but it costs far more than DDR4, especially when you're looking for faster or higher-capacity kits. So I was pleased to find this TeamGroup T-Force 32GB DDR4 RAM kit down to $200 (was $264) at Newegg when you use code GTWF576.

This is a straightforward desktop memory kit for anyone who wants more DDR4 RAM without paying extra for RGB lighting and the like.

• Best for: Anyone looking to upgrade a compatible DDR4 desktop PC to 32GB of memory for multitasking, photo editing, gaming, and other memory-intensive tasks.

• What we like: This memory kit supports Intel XMP 2.0, and features aluminum heat spreaders. You get two 16GB modules, and the kit operates at DDR4-3200 speeds, with CL16 latency and 16-20-20-40 timings.

Today's best DDR4 RAM deal

Why we recommend it

With Intel XMP 2.0 support, this RAM allows compatible systems to load the advertised memory settings via the BIOS. Each module features a gray aluminum heat spreader, and the memory uses a standard 288-pin desktop DIMM design and runs at 1.35V at its rated settings.

It's non-ECC, unbuffered, and compatible with supported Intel and AMD platforms, although you'll need to check your motherboard's specifications to make sure it will work with your system.

Price context & historical value

Newegg currently sells the RAM kit for $239.99, down from $263.99, which represents an initial saving of $24. However, apply code GTWF576 to take an additional $40 off, lowering the total price down to $199.99, roughly $6.25 per gigabyte.

That means you're saving $64 overall, equivalent to approximately 24% off the original price. Unsurprisingly, given the memory crisis, this isn't the lowest I've seen it go for. It's previously been on sale at Newegg for just $119.99, which is $80 less than today's discounted price.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Team T-Force 32GB Vulcan Z kit if...

You have a compatible DDR4 desktop with 16GB or less of RAM and regularly encounter memory limitations. Moving to 32GB can help with more demanding memory-intensive tasks.

❌ Skip the Team T-Force 32GB Vulcan Z kit if...

Your existing system already has sufficient RAM, or you're building a new PC around a motherboard that requires DDR5 memory. This kit cannot be installed in DDR5 slots.

• Shop all RAM at Newegg

If you're mad about the cost of RAM, look away now. No, they haven't fallen back to their pre-AI prices, however hard we look (honestly, we're searching every day just in case). But if you're building or upgrading a new Intel or AMD PC, then the Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is now $560 (was $626) at Amazon.

The Corsair Vengeance range offers some of the best RAM we've tested. But this one caught our attention because this dual-profile memory kit hits the AMD sweet spot with DDR5-600 and CL30 timings.

• Best for: PC builders putting together an AMD Ryzen 7000 or 9000 system who want fast, reliable memory that sets up with one click.

• Why we like it: DDR5-6000 speeds at tight CL30 timings, AMD EXPO and Intel XMP profiles for easy setup, and a low-profile heat spreader that clears big air coolers.

• What you need to know: While it runs smoothly on Intel machines, 6000 MT/s is tailored for AMD PCs. 6400 MT/s is the better pick for Intel.

Why We Recommend It

Corsair’s Vengeance line is one of the most popular choices among PC builders, and this kit is tuned for AMD, with an EXPO profile that sets it to its full 6000MT/s at CL30 with a single BIOS setting. That speed and latency combination is widely considered the sweet spot for Ryzen 7000 and 9000 processors, although it is a dual-profile kit for Intel PCs, too.

Price Context & Historical Value

Memory prices have climbed sharply over the past year, so $559.99 is far more than a 32GB DDR5 kit cost not long ago. This deal takes the edge off, and with soaring RAM costs expected to last years, this is one of the better RAM deals I've seen for PC builders.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 32GB if... you’re building an AMD Ryzen 7000 or 9000 PC and want memory that runs at its rated speed with one click.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 32GB if... your PC uses DDR4 or you want RGB lighting.

More RAM deals: Also consider

• See all desktop memory at Amazon

If your DDR4 desktop is stuck on 16GB or less, doubling up to 32GB is one of the simplest ways to smooth out gaming, multitasking, and heavy browser use. Currently, the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB DDR4 RAM kit for $235 (was $316) at Newegg with the discount code GTWF572.

Corsair’s Vengeance LPX has been a go-to DDR4 kit for PC builders for years, largely because its short heat spreaders fit under tall CPU coolers where flashier RAM won’t. The lifetime warranty adds reassurance that you rarely get with other PC components.

• Best for: owners of DDR4 desktops who want more memory for gaming and multitasking without moving to a new platform.

• Why we like it: 32GB across two 16GB sticks, DDR4-3200 speeds with XMP 2.0 for easy setup, a low-profile heat spreader that clears big air coolers, and a lifetime warranty.

• What you need to know: This is DDR4 memory, so it's not as fast as DDR5.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $235, it's not an all-time low, but since memory prices have begun to rise seemingly every day, so it's better than what I'd expect to pay in the current market.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB if... you have a DDR4 desktop that needs more than 16GB, your CPU cooler leaves little clearance over the memory slots, or you want a kit backed by a lifetime warranty.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB if... your PC uses DDR5, including any AMD AM5 or recent Intel build.

• See all desktop memory at Newegg.

• Chinese chipmaker CXMT is predicted to be ramping up RAM production
• It could double memory production by 2028, we're told
• This extra RAM is likely to service the domestic market, though, and meanwhile, Dell's CEO is warning that the memory crisis is likely to persist to 2030

A major Chinese chipmaker has plans to expand its DRAM production in a big way over the next couple of years, but this won't be a silver bullet for wider RAM problems, and Dell's CEO is warning on the memory crisis getting worse, too.

First, the news on the Chinese company CXMT, which was flagged by P Equity Research on X (via Wccftech) in a post that highlights forecasts from Counterpoint Research and TrendForce.

According to those research firms, CXMT is set to expand its DRAM wafer production from around 320,000 units this year, to 420,000 units over the course of 2027.

That translates to a growth of just over 30% in a year, and the further prediction is that in 2028, production capacity might hit 500,000 to 600,000, so given that most optimistic scenario, it would nearly double compared to this year.

There's some excitement on that point because while others are focusing on HBM, or high-end RAM for the AI industry, this is an expansion of traditional RAM production, meaning the kind that'll go in a PC as opposed to a data center server.

However, before we start mulling the prospect of RAM supply being shored up to some extent, there are obvious caveats to consider here – including a new warning from Dell's CEO as mentioned at the outset.

Analysis: domestic relief – and more pessimism from Dell

The problem with CXMT is that even if the predicted near-doubling of RAM production does happen in 2028 as these analysts are theorizing, where is this memory going to end up?

Most likely it'll serve the domestic market in China, and the chances of it making any kind of a meaningful difference to the balance of RAM supply outside of Asia are minimal. China's own memory requirements are substantial, and as we've discussed before, the government is likely to exert its influence in terms of keeping local demand fulfilled rather than selling abroad.

And yes, while it's true that CXMT's RAM is being used by some manufacturers in the west already, it's on a very limited basis currently – and it isn't like it's some kind of a bargain, either. Indeed, the cost of CXMT's memory is reportedly much the same as what you'll pay if buying from Samsung.

Meanwhile, as Wccftech also picked up, the CEO of Dell, Michael Dell, added his voice to the growing consensus that the memory shortage will get worse next year, and that these RAM woes are going to be prolonged for quite some time.

Dell told the Wall Street Journal that memory supply problems could keep on making us miserable for up to four years, meaning until 2030. Again, this echoes some of the many negative calls on the RAM crisis which have been heard in the past few months.

CXMT expanding its RAM production in a beefy way certainly won't hurt, but it's unlikely to help the average consumer outside of China.

Meanwhile, as RAM continues to get pricier (somehow, even though the cost was already through the roof), it's worth considering workarounds to get more from your gaming PC.

With RAM prices apparently out of control thanks to a very hungry AI, my team and I have been tracking the best deals on memory that we can find. And using my Newegg 'trick', this must be the cheapest way to upgrade to a DDR5-6000 setup yet.

Newegg is currently selling a $100 gift card that gives you a bonus $15 for free. You can buy two of these to get $30 free. Couple that with the current discounts, and you can choose between three different 32GB memory kits for $420 apiece.

In terms of value, I've selected the Patriot Viper Venom DDR5-6400 kit, the TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB DDR5-6000 kit, and Klevv's 32GB DDR5-6000 kit.

Today's best DDR5 RAM deals

Why we recommend them

With RAM prices sky-rocketing right now, any discount is worth checking out - and pairing the discounts with Newegg's limited-time gift card, which effectively offers a free $30 to use on the site, this is one of the cheapest ways to pick up DDR5 memory.

Which RAM deal should you buy?

✅ Buy the Patriot Viper Venom if...

You're focusing on speed - at 6400MT/s, it's the fastest of the three, supporting AMD 600 Series, 800 Series, or Ryzen PCs.

✅ Buy the TeamGroup T-Force Delta RGB if...

You want a stylish RGB memory kit that's effectively plug-and-play for Intel XMP boards.

✅ Buy the Klevv RAM kit if...

You're building an AMD PC. While it supports Intel, the 6000MT/s with CL30 timings is the sweet spot for AMD processors.

• See all desktop memory kits at Newegg

The Corsair Vengeance line of RAM remains one of the best desktop memory kits we've ever tested. Amid sky-high RAM prices, we've been tracking discounts on the range built for both performance and eye-catching aesthetics.

If you're building or upgrading a modern Intel or AMD rig with a generous pool of fast, reliable memory, Corsair's Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5-6000 CL36 kit has dropped to $510 (was $546) at Best Buy. In contrast, both Newegg and Corsair have the Intel-only model at this price.

32GB is a comfortable amount of headroom for gaming, multitasking, and most content creation work, and the CL36 timings at 6000MT/s strike a reasonable balance between speed and price for DDR5.

Why we recommend it

Vengeance RGB is one of Corsair's most established DDR5 lines, and this kit hits a sensible middle ground: fast enough to make a real difference in gaming and multitasking, priced well below Corsair's flagship overclocked kits, and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

AMD Expo and Intel XMP 3.0 support means getting to the rated 6000MT/s speed is a one-click process in most BIOS menus rather than manual tuning, and the onboard voltage regulation Corsair includes is aimed at making that overclock more stable out of the box.

At 45mm, the heat spreaders should clear most tower air coolers without issues, which isn't always guaranteed with RGB memory.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB kit if...

You're building or upgrading an AMD or Intel DDR5 rig and want 32GB as a comfortable baseline.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB kit if...

You don't want to install iCUE software to control the lighting, or you're chasing the tightest possible latency at this speed.

Price Context & Historical Value

This is the best price I can find on Corsair's CMH32GX5M2E6000Z36 SKU - this is the one that supports both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD Expo. For comparison, the Intel-only model is also available for $510 from Newegg and direct from Corsair.

What to know before you buy

CL36 timings are respectable but not the tightest available at DDR5-6000; kits with CL30 timings offer lower latency at a similar or sometimes higher price if that matters more to you than budget. As with any high-speed memory kit, it's worth checking your motherboard's QVL list to confirm compatibility before buying, since not every board handles 6000MT/s DDR5 equally well.

With RAM prices on the up - and analysts suggesting it could stretch on for years - we've been highlighting price cuts on DDR5 and DDR4 memory kits wherever we find them.

Readers regularly tell us that they're sticking with DDR4 memory to ride out the current price hikes, so the the Crucial Pro 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 kit for $230 (was $249) at Newegg caught our eye. It's not the biggest discount, but it's one of the cheapest ways to upgrade a PC without changing platforms while the component crisis rages.

• Best for: Owners of DDR4 desktops who want to double their memory without replacing their core setup.

• Why we like it: Crucial Pro is a familiar choice for a simple, plug-and-play upgrade without RGB or the fuss of overclocking. It can also downclock to 3000 or 2666MT/s on systems that don't support 3200, which helps if you're upgrading an older machine.

• What to know: The RAM-pocalypse continues to force component costs up to unfathomable prices (thanks AI). This is a standard CL22 latency modules, and as it's DDR4, it's worth grabbing only if you plan to keep your motherboard to see out the current component price spikes.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $229.99, this is $18.50 (7%) off the $248.49 price, so the saving is modest. Newegg Business also lists a New-from price of $229.99 and one open-box kit from $206.99, though open-box stock is hit and miss. We couldn't find a reliable price history.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Crucial Pro 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 kit if... you're upgrading a DDR4 desktop and want 32GB from a well-known brand, and you'll take any discount on pricey RAM.

❌ Skip the Crucial Pro 32GB (2x16GB) DDR4-3200 kit if... you have a DDR5 system, since this kit won't fit; you want RGB or higher speeds; or the small saving isn't worth Newegg Business's restocking fee if you need to return it, and we haven't tested this kit ourselves.

• See all desktop memory at Newegg.

Samsung's 9100 Pro SSD is "the best there is." That was the verdict in our review, where this PCIe 5.0 SSD delivered "blazing fast speeds across the board."

Currently, the Samsung 9100 Pro 1TB is $265 (was $340) at Amazon, and it's the drive our hardware editor recommends over the similarly priced Samsung 990 Pro. It's faster - up to 14,700MB/s vs. 7,450 MB/s - making it a better pick for professionals who need fast transfer speeds for video editing and heavy workstation use.

• Best for: Professionals and creators running heavy workloads looking for one of the fastest consumer SSDs around.

• Why we like it: In our review, we found "fantastic performance with the fastest write speeds we've ever tested." Not every machine can make use of this SSD, but for those that can, it's an easy recommendation.

• Keep in mind: You'll need a PCIe 5.0 M.2 motherboard and reliable heatsinks to prevent thermal throttling.

Why we recommend it

During our 4.5-star review of this drive, the Samsung 9100 Pro delivered "best-in-class sequential read and write performance" and "fantastic random read and write speeds."

Even after review, we continued to test out the drive using a range of other motherboards and processors - and yes, we were able to reach the sequential read speeds that Samsung promised.

While it's not the cheapest drive, the performance-to-price remains low, and considering the 990 Pro is only $5 cheaper, we'd opt for the 9100 Pro wherever possible.

Price Context & Historical Value

This isn't the cheapest this drive has ever been - especially not after component costs began to rise. But it is in the general park for the sale price we regularly see. We have spotted it selling for the $340 list price often, so worth picking up while on discount. Considering the slower PCIe 4.0 SSD, the Samsung 990 Pro is only slightly cheaper, if you have a Gen5 board, the 9100 Pro offers better value for money.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB SSD if...

You want one of the fastest SSDs you can buy at a good price, and you run a lot of heavier workloads.

❌ Skip the Samsung 9100 PRO 1TB SSD if...

Your system only supports PCIe 4.0 or slower, since you won't see the top speeds.

• See all internal SSDs at Amazon

• Intel's CEO has said that AI hardware will be in short supply for the next 2 to 3 years
• Of course, this refers to the ongoing memory crisis, and consumers will get shorter shrift than AI players
• A new report from Barclays also shows that contract pricing for RAM has risen 24% over the past quarter for DDR4 (and 20% for DDR5)

Need more fuel to stoke the idea that the RAM crisis is here to stay? Doubtless you don't, but sadly we've had a couple more indications that the memory shortage will last for a depressingly long time, with Intel's CEO the latest to weigh in.

Wccftech reports that Intel's Lip-Bu Tan was speaking in Singapore at the Asia Future Forward event, a conference organized by DBS Bank, where the CEO discussed his thoughts regarding trends with AI – including the amount of memory it's eating up.

As flagged by Theresa Perrin on X, Tan observed that "AI hardware will stay in short supply for the next 2 to 3 years" — primarily referring to memory — and that this was "driven by persistent constraints in the underlying tech supply chain."

While the CEO is talking directly about RAM (as well as GPUs, and to an extent CPUs) used in data centers for AI applications, the fact that the AI industry is going to be short on supply for perhaps the next three years means that consumer RAM is going to be even thinner on the ground. It's no secret that the greater profits to be had by catering to the AI industry mean that this memory is the priority for chip makers.

Wccftech also noticed another post on X, from 456X, highlighting a new report from Barclays that shows contract pricing (from chip makers) for DDR4 RAM has risen 24% over the last three months, and that DDR5 has gone up 20%.

Barclays further observed that one of the big memory chip makers, Micron, will see its supply levels of RAM remain constrained through 2028. In other words, we can expect that memory supply is going to keep on being a major problem for the next two years, with 'through' 2028 meaning that this year is included in the gloomy prediction.

Analysis: yet more doom nuggets — and then there's the rise of the robots

The reported rises in the contract price of RAM according to Barclays match what we've seen at retail over the past few months, with some notable jumps in the price of DDR5 memory (which in Germany has reached a ridiculous level of 544% up on the price it was before the RAM crisis began last July).

What Barclays, and Intel's CEO, are now telling us is that this kind of pain is likely to continue, and that RAM supply will continue to be frustratingly short until 2029. Unfortunately these kinds of forecasts are becoming more commonplace, with pretty much everyone's view appearing to align with the idea of the RAM crisis hanging around until the end of the decade.

At the very least, we can expect 2027 to be a repeat of this year — meaning more memory prices hikes, and other components besides, such as GPUs — with 2028 likely to follow in a similar vein. Indeed, Micron has said as much itself, while letting us know that robots (or 'physical AI') will be eating up a lot of RAM supply in the future.

Memory prices are still painful, so any discount is welcome, and this V-Color 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is $68 off at Newegg as part of its big computing sale.

• Best for: AMD builders who need a 32GB DDR5 kit and will take any discount they can get on pricey RAM.

• The deal: The V-Color Manta XSky 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM kit is $460 (was $528) at Newegg with code GTWF84.

• Why it matters: RAM remains one of the costliest parts of a PC build, and this is the lowest price this memory kit has been in 30 days, once you add Newegg's limited-time discount code.

Why we recommend it

In our experience, DDR5-6000 CL30 is the usual sweet spot for AMD Ryzen systems, and the EXPO profile should let you set it with one click in your BIOS. The 32GB capacity suits gaming and general use, and Newegg's page marks the price as its lowest in 30 days.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $479.99, this is $48 (9%) off Newegg's $527.99 price, and Newegg shows a "Lowest Price in 30 Days" badge. That is still a lot for 32GB of RAM, which is why we'll take any discount we can. The page also lists an extra $20-off promo code, which may not last.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the V-Color Manta XSky 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM kit if... you're building or upgrading an AMD system and need 32GB of DDR5-6000, and you'd rather not wait while RAM prices stay high.

❌ Skip the V-Color Manta XSky 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 RAM kit if... you have an Intel system and want an XMP profile, since this kit is AMD EXPO-focused, you don't want RGB, or you can wait for lower prices, and we haven't tested this kit ourselves.

• See all desktop memory at Newegg.

• IDC's latest figures show that PC shipments are down 20% year-on-year
• TrendForce predicts that next year is going to see further drops in PC sales and possible price hikes, which aligns with IDC's thinking
• If you're looking for a laptop, it might be a good idea to pull the trigger sooner rather than later – maybe during Black Friday

PC shipments have plunged dramatically, with analyst firms predicting that the sales of computers and laptops are set to slump next year as well.

PC Gamer noticed that IDC Research has a new report for Q3 of 2026 showing that global PC shipments are down 20.1% compared to the same quarter last year, dropping from 78.5 million units to 62.7 million.

The reason why is obvious: it's due to the RAM crisis and rising prices across a range of PC components (not just memory).

Another analyst firm, TrendForce, also produced a report (flagged by Wccftech) observing that the rising cost of those components threatens to weaken the demand for notebooks in 2027.

TrendForce claims that: "Global notebook shipments are currently projected to decline by a low-single-digit percentage in 2027."

However, the firm cautions that if RAM and CPU prices stay high (which seems almost inevitable), notebook makers "may be forced to pass more of these costs on to consumers", with high retail prices meaning fewer consumers buy new laptops – potentially pushing the drop in notebook sales to high single digits.

So, we could be looking at a near 10% drop in laptop sales next year, on top of an already gloomy picture and flagging sales for PCs as seen currently.

Analysis: act now or dig in for a lengthy wait

Both IDC and TrendForce observe that part of the problem for 2026 is that those looking at buying a new laptop purchased earlier in the year – due to the (very real) fear of price hikes coming in – meaning there are fewer sales now than there would normally have been. This is why there was a much sharper fall in Q3 compared to IDC's report for Q2 (although PC shipments were still down 3.8% year-on-year in that previous quarter).

Laptop makers are also running thin on components they purchased at lower prices (in anticipation of hikes, just like consumers), and so they are going to face worsening pressures on their profits margins due to rising RAM, storage and CPU costs. (TrendForce doesn't mention GPUs, but these will be a factor for some notebooks, notably gaming laptops, too). If they don't raise prices, laptop manufacturers will be forced to cut corners with specs.

TrendForce pulls out an interesting stat on the current state of play with the cost of building a laptop these days, namely that in a typical mid-to-upper-range ($900) notebook, 68% of the bill of materials (cost of the raw components) is taken up by the CPU, RAM and SSD. In other words, those core components now comprise two-thirds of the cost of the laptop.

IDC also predicts gloom for next year, or certainly the first half of 2027 anyway, noting that: "[PC] prices will remain elevated. With macro conditions worsening, the risk is that the outlook for the next few quarters gets worse before it gets better."

The only brighter spot here is that IDC says that with retailers worrying about "carrying too much inventory into a market where high prices are suppressing demand", we may see "promotions and some short-term relief for consumers" – meaning some possibly tempting Black Friday deals. Although the analyst firm makes it clear that pricing won't be "anywhere near what it was a year ago."

There will likely be some bargains to be had – we've seen some recently with Prime Day, and elsewhere for that matter – and if you are in the market for a laptop, it's looking like the smart move is to act on a decent deal if you see one for the type of notebook you're after.

Almost every prediction about the RAM crisis these days is negative, with a steadily growing weight of pessimistic sentiment, so unless a lot of analysts and industry pundits or insiders have got things very wrong, it's not a good idea to be waiting until next year to buy new hardware. Grab it now or hold out for the longer-term seems to be the right approach, certainly for laptops or PCs, and I'd say graphics cards, too.

It can't have escaped your attention that RAM prices are through the roof right now, but there are still deals to be found. Case in point, 32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 RAM is on sale at Newegg, and if you apply a special coupon code, you can get an additional saving.

• Best for: PC gamers, content creators, and enthusiasts looking to upgrade a compatible Intel DDR5 desktop with faster dual-channel memory.

• The deal: 32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 RAM is $475 (was $638) at Newegg with code FTTF8289.

• Why it matters: You get a substantial reduction on a memory kit that combines high-speed DDR5 operation with customizable RGB lighting and software-based performance controls.

Why we recommend it

32GB of Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 RAM includes two 16GB modules running at 6000MT/s, with CL36 latency and 36-44-44-96 timings. Operating at 1.35V, the kit is designed for DDR5-compatible Intel systems, including motherboards based on the Intel 600 and 700 series chipsets.

Intel XMP 3.0 support makes it easier to apply the kit's rated memory settings via a compatible motherboard's BIOS. Corsair also supports custom XMP profiles via its iCUE software. Each module has ten individually addressable LEDs beneath a panoramic light bar.

Price context & historical value

The Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 kit was listed at $637.99 at Newegg before getting cut to $479.99, a reduction of $158. Using coupon code FTTF8289 reduces the cost by another $5, giving you a checkout price of $474.99. That represents a total saving of $163, or approximately 25.5%, against the original price. Fair in the current landscape, but it remains a lot higher than last year, before the memory crisis kicked in.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance RGB if...

You're looking to upgrade an Intel-based desktop and need a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit with RGB lighting and software-based customization. The price is far from the cheapest it's ever been, but in 2026 any saving is welcome.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance RGB if...

You're building a budget PC or don't need RGB lighting. A less expensive DDR5 kit without illuminated heatspreaders could provide similar capacity and speed for less money.

• Shop all desktop memory at Newegg

• A source at a major Chinese chip maker says the firm "expects the global memory shortage will last for at least another three years"
• On top of that, analyst firm TrendForce is suggesting "meaningful price increases" are coming for RAM in the final quarter of 2026
• The cloud giants in the US are providing the increased demand that's pushing up Q4 pricing

A source at one of the big Chinese memory chip makers has warned that the firm anticipates the RAM shortage will last through until the end of the decade — and we've heard some gloomy nearer-term news from TrendForce, too.

TweakTown highlighted a post from Jukan on X (who works at analyst firm Citrini Research), which in turn pointed to a report from The Wire China.

This cites an employee at YMTC in China who said that the company "expects the global memory shortage will last for at least another three years". YMTC has just pushed up pricing for its chips, the source says — to no one's surprise — and is shifting its production towards chips with a higher profit margin.

Jukan ties this specifically to NAND production — for SSDs — but the quoted comment refers more broadly to the memory crisis (meaning RAM sticks as well). As TweakTown points out, though, the purported impact on SSDs is particularly relevant seeing as YMTC is now the third biggest global NAND chip supplier behind only Samsung and SK Hynix.

Other predictions, such as from analyst firm TrendForce, forecast NAND supply coming back into balance later in 2027, but that notion is very much being questioned here.

Speaking of TrendForce, Jukan also flagged a new report from the company that labels DRAM supply as 'very tight', noting that: "Suppliers' early-stage discussions on 4Q26 contract pricing point to meaningful price increases, suggesting strengthening demand momentum, particularly from US CSPs."

In other words, the big cloud service providers (CSPs) are the main force behind the increased demand that's pushing fourth-quarter RAM pricing to meaningful price hikes.

Analysis: negative chatter continues to align

'Meaningful' price rises for RAM sounds ominous, mainly because memory pricing has already risen painfully over the last few months. If you recall, going by the German market, DDR5 memory is a ridiculous 544% up on the price it was before the RAM crisis began — so the thought of further increases feels, well, even more ludicrous. But here we are.

We can seemingly expect SSDs to get more costly as well, going by the leak from YMTC, although it's worth noting that it's in the company's interest to talk up its future prospects and profits (as it heads into an IPO). That said, this isn't an official statement, but a leak (though it could have been intentionally leaked, cynics would doubtless argue).

The fact of the matter is that more memory-related misery is believable enough these days, as all predictions are very much slanted towards more price hikes for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027. The view that we have at least another three years of this crisis to weather — taking us all the way to 2030 — is one also shared by other analysts and industry figures, including Nvidia's CEO (and those in the world of SSDs).

Working from home, for me at least, means the coffee machine is never far away. I drink plenty of the stuff — cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos and so on. I currently have an espresso to the left of me as I write this. And since today is International Coffee Day, I've picked out some of my favorite brewing essentials, starting with Ninja's Pod and Grounds Coffee Maker.

• Best for: Anyone working from home who wants the convenience of K-Cups alongside the flexibility to use ground coffee and make a wider variety of drinks.

• The deal: The Ninja Pod & Grounds Coffee Maker is now $100 (was $130) at Amazon.

• Why it matters: Four brew styles let you switch between regular, richer, iced, and concentrated coffee, while the fold-away milk frother expands your options for coffeehouse-style drinks.

My top coffee maker deal for International Coffee Day

Why we recommend it

Ninja's coffee maker gives you the convenience of using pods or your favorite grounds. There are Classic, Rich, Over Ice, and Specialty settings, with the latter producing a concentrated coffee for making coffeehouse-style drinks. The built-in fold-away frother works with hot or cold milk (and dairy alternatives) and can be removed for cleaning.

There's even integrated storage for the brew basket or permanent filter when it isn't being used, and it's compact, too, measuring just 5.51 inches wide it won't take up too much space on your countertop.

Price context & historical value

Amazon has cut the price of the coffee maker from $129.99 to $99.98. The package includes the built-in frother, Ninja Scoop, removable brew basket, Ninja pod adapter, and permanent filter, so you have everything you need to start brewing your favorite coffee combinations. It has been as low as $79.98 in the past, but not recently.

For more shopping options, check out our guides to the best espresso machines and the best coffee makers.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Ninja Pod and Grounds Coffee Maker if...

You work from home and want more choice than you'd get from a basic pod machine. Ninja's device handles four K-Cup sizes from 6oz to 12oz, and using grounds expands the choice to six sizes ranging from 6oz to a substantial 24oz which will keep you going for those days when one cup just isn't enough.

❌ Skip the Ninja Pod and Grounds Coffee Maker if...

You regularly need to brew an entire pot for several people. Ninja's device is better suited to making individual drinks rather than producing multiple cups.

More coffee maker deals

Complete your WFH coffee station

• Shop all coffee makers at Amazon

• Micron has warned that the RAM shortage will get much worse in 2027 and 2028
• Then coming to the end of the decade, robots are going to put more strain on memory supply
• So-called 'physical AI' could need 200GB+ of DRAM and multiple terabytes of storage per unit, Micron predicts

Micron just published its latest financial results, complete with some predictions for the future of the RAM crisis that aren't going to prove very comforting for consumers.

Wccftech reports that Micron, which is one of the three big memory chip makers, just revealed its results for fiscal Q4 2026 with predictably booming profits — and some not-so-obvious predictions about the RAM shortage.

As flagged on X by Eric Jhonsa, a portfolio manager for a Dutch asset corporation, in Micron's accompanying guidance the company observed: "We expect memory and storage supply-demand conditions to be much tighter in calendar 2027 and 2028 than they were in 2026."

Micron also said: "Even with additional industry DRAM cleanroom space plans, with robust demand trends including new upside requests from customers, we do not have line of sight to when supply and demand will return to balance."

Also highlighted on X by Shay Boloor, who is chief market strategist at Futurum Equities, Micron made the point that even if the current AI bubble deflates, lessening RAM demand for servers in data centers as a result, there could still be a high level of demand from 'physical AI' — meaning robots.

We're told that "humanoid robots could need 200GB+ of DRAM and multiple terabytes of storage per unit with several physical AI customers already sampling next gen products", and that this could become a "significant driver of memory and storage demand by the end of this decade."

Analysis: robot RAM drain

In short, Micron is saying that RAM supply is going to be tight not just in 2027 — which has been a widespread prediction — but also in 2028. Granted, 2028 has been forecast as a gloomy year in general, but from what Micron is saying here, the company is putting this year on a level with 2027 in terms of the memory shortage, and next year is set to be pretty dire by all accounts.

This is feeding more into the RAM crisis lasting until 2030 narrative (one of the earliest mentions of this came from Nvidia's CEO), and the comment about robots further reinforces this. Even if the demand to drive AI falls away somewhat so data centers aren't gobbling up so much memory, the overall strain on RAM supply may remain due to an uptake of robots, which will also need a lot of memory.

The one thing I would say is that Micron may be exaggerating somewhat in terms of talking up the timeframe on the usage of robots here. After all, in these kinds of forecasts, it's in the firm's interest to build up its future prospects and drive more investment.

Clearly, though, Micron is in a very strong position, and robots are something that's on the radar. And with there being a great deal of doubt as to whether the AI bubble is going to burst at all — depending on who you listen to — this is just another concern for consumers (alongside robots taking over jobs to boot).

It seems clear enough that RAM won't be reaching affordable pricing levels for a long time yet.

RAM prices have become increasingly painful during the 2026 memory crisis, making discounts on higher-speed DDR5 kits welcome. The 32GB TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan ECO offers DDR5-6400 speeds and support for both Intel and AMD performance profiles.

• Best for: Desktop builders who want 32GB of relatively fast DDR5 memory with support for both major performance-profile standards.

• The deal: The TeamGroup 32GB T-Force Vulcan ECO DDR5-6400 kit is now $429 (was $479) at Newegg when you use code TEF395.

• Why it matters: DDR5-6400 provides much more theoretical bandwidth than slower DDR5 standards. You'll need compatible hardware and the appropriate XMP or EXPO profile enabled to reach the 6,400MT/s speed though.

Today's TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan ECO DDR5 deal

Why we recommend it

The T-Force Vulcan ECO gives you two 16GB DDR5 modules running at up to 6,400MT/s, with CL38 latency and 38-46-46-84 timings at 1.35V. It supports for both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO, giving you flexibility when choosing a platform.

The modules include heat spreaders to help manage temperatures, and their silver finish is a stylish alternative to the usual black and white designs that dominate the desktop memory market.

Price context & historical value

Applying promo code TEF395 drops the price from $479 to $429, saving you $50, or around 10%. That's not an enormous reduction, but any money off is welcome in today's expensive memory market. This kit has been slightly cheaper at Newegg in the past though. Not so long ago it was available to buy for $415.99.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 32GB TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan ECO DDR5 kit if...

You're building or upgrading a DDR5 desktop and want a fast 32GB kit with support for both major performance-profile standards. At 6,400MT/s, the Vulcan ECO offers considerably more memory bandwidth than entry-level DDR5-4800 or DDR5-5200 kits, although the real-world benefit will depend on your setup.

❌ Skip the 32GB TeamGroup T-Force Vulcan ECO DDR5 kit if...

Your current PC already has enough memory for everything you do, or your motherboard and processor can't take advantage of DDR5-6400. Given today's RAM prices, there's little reason to spend $429 unless you need the upgrade.

Also consider

• XMG has announced price rises for its laptops due to the increased cost of components
• The laptop maker points out that DDR5 RAM for laptops is now close to 6x the price it was before the memory crisis
• We're also hearing that Micron has pulled the plug on its 2GB modules of GDDR7, and Nvidia's supply of VRAM could feel an impact from this

The RAM crisis sadly keeps rolling on and finding fresh pricing misery to heap on us, and that includes new laptop hikes and a hint that Nvidia GPUs could be in yet another spot of bother.

VideoCardz spotted the development with laptops, as manufacturer XMG announced on Reddit that its notebooks are subject to price hikes of either €100 or €150 for most models, or €300 in one case (that's for a Schenker portable, which is XMG's parent company, so it's all under the same umbrella).

Some laptop upgrades have got pricier, too, with a €120 premium on an RTX 5090 configuration, and as XMG observed: "The reason [for the price rises] is another increase in purchasing costs. This is no longer just about RAM and SSDs: PCBs, electronic components, CPUs, graphics cards and video memory are also contributing to the higher cost level."

In other words, everything is subject to price inflation, including the motherboard and associated chips, as well as the mentioned key components.

XMG highlighted data drawn from Geizhals (which tracks German retail prices) showing that DDR5 RAM for laptops is close to 6x the price it was before the memory shortage began (in mid-2025).

The laptop maker also made it clear that discrete GPUs and GDDR7 video memory have become more expensive, as have the prices of AMD and Intel laptop processors.

Also on the subject of GPUs, Wccftech reports that another slight worry is that Micron is no longer making 2GB modules of GDDR7 video RAM which are used in some Nvidia RTX 5000 GPUs.

Uniko's Hardware flagged up this news in a post on X, noting that these chips have "reached end of life" and that this is the case for all Micron 2GB modules, with only 3GB GDDR7 chips now listed on the memory maker's website.

With Micron apparently no longer supplying Nvidia with those 2GB modules, that means more of a squeeze on the availability of video memory for RTX 5000 graphics cards, at least in theory. This could hit stock levels and put a bit more pressure on pricing (which is already climbing fast).

Analysis: yet more pressure

We need to season the claims around Micron here, as this isn't a definitive statement from the company itself, and more to the point, it's only a minor supplier for Nvidia's gaming GPUs. Team Green gets the majority of its GDDR7 from Samsung and SK Hynix, and so the impact here should be relatively slight.

However, I'd argue that any impact is bad news given the current climate which is rapidly worsening for GPUs, particularly those from Nvidia which are heading upwards at a rate of knots for some models. The RTX 5090 has got completely ridiculous, the RTX 5080 is similarly out of hand, and even the RTX 5070 is now feeling the pricing heat, with a 30% price rise compared to two months ago in the US (and a similar picture elsewhere).

So, even small extra pressures are really not going to help Nvidia's GeForce GPUs here.

As for the laptop price hikes, this is a sign of the RAM supply times, and XMG is following other makers who have had to jack up prices (like Dell for example, which just bumped up the XPS 13 in a roundabout way).

It's a commendable level of transparency from XMG here, with the company making it clear that it isn't turning any extra profit from these laptop price increases. XMG also observed that other factors are in play with increased costs for notebook makers, and that includes rising air freight costs (due to conflicts in the Middle East) and difficulties with shipping by sea, too.

Corsair's line of desktop and laptop memory have been some of the top performers in our tests - and the Vengeance is easily one of our favorites. And right now there's a big sale on DDR4 and DDR5 RAM from the gaming company. Plenty of discounts to be had, but the white Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5 kit is the one that caught our eye.

• Best for: PC builders and creators looking for faster RAM for productivity, extensive multi-tasking, and creative workloads.

• The deal: The white Corsair Vengeance 32GB DDR5-5200 RAM kit is now $408 (was $508) at Corsair. In the UK, Corsair's memory kit is now £389 (was £485) on the site.

• Why it matters: Any discount on memory is welcome right now, since AI has sent prices skyrocketing. And we're fans of Corsair's Vengeance line, having tested several in our time. The white finish on this RAM kit is a decent attraction if you're building a color-coordinated desktop with a window in the case.

Today's Corsair DDR5 RAM kit deal

Why we recommend it

This Corsair Vengeance kit includes two 16GB DDR5 modules. Running at up to 5,200MT/s with CL40 latency, the modules feature aluminum heat spreaders to manage temperatures. Their compact, low-profile construction makes them suitable for desktop builds where larger memory modules could interfere with CPU coolers. Corsair has optimized the kit for Intel motherboards, with compatibility covering Intel 600, 700 and 800 series platforms.

Price context & historical value

The discount from $508 to $407.99 knocks just over $100 off the current price, equivalent to saving almost 20%. The wider memory market has experienced huge price increases during 2026, so any sizable discount is worth considering, even if it's still very expensive compared to last year.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 32GB Corsair Vengeance White DDR5 kit if...

You accept that pricing is through the roof and modern deals don't compare with last year's costs. This is a good offer if want more control over your desktop's memory configuration and are comfortable tweaking performance settings. The kit supports Intel XMP profiles, allowing compatible systems to apply its rated memory settings without manually entering every timing and voltage parameter.

Built-in voltage regulation provide additional control for anyone looking to fine-tune their systems.

❌ Skip the 32GB Corsair Vengeance White DDR5 if...

You're assembling a budget desktop or upgrading an older system that doesn't support DDR5. Given current prices, it's worth checking whether your existing memory genuinely limits everyday performance before spending more than $400 on an upgrade.

More deals: Also consider

• US: Shop all memory on sale at Corsair
• UK: See all RAM deals at Corsair

At a time of soaring memory prices, Corsair has discounted plenty of its laptop and desktop PC DDR4 and DDR5 RAM. That includes its 32GB Vengeance DDR5 SODIMM kit.

• Best for: Anyone upgrading the memory in a compatible laptop or small-form-factor PC. It's particularly useful for heavy multitasking and memory-intensive creative applications.

• The deal: The 32GB Vengeance DDR5-4800 SODIMM kit is now $380 (was $497) at Corsair.

• Why it matters: You get two 16GB DDR5 modules running at 4,800MT/s with CL40 latency and low 1.1V operation, with straightforward installation and a limited lifetime warranty. The maximum speed depends on the laptop or PC, its processor and motherboard, and Corsair's own information talks about about BIOS adjustments and overclocking being required in some cases.

• Shop all computer memory on sale at Corsair.

Why we recommend it

Installation should be straightforward in systems with accessible SODIMM slots. Corsair says compatible computers can automatically operate the memory at its supported speed without requiring manual BIOS configuration.

Each module is tested at 4,800MT/s with CL40 latency. Corsair also individually screens and tests the modules and backs the kit with a limited lifetime warranty.

Price context & historical value

The reduction from $496.99 to $397.99 knocks $99 off the regular price, equivalent to a saving of almost 20%, which is pretty good in these days of sky-high memory prices.

If you own a time machine, you can nip back to 2024 where you'll find it selling as low as $69.99 at B&H. It was also available for $279.99 at Amazon earlier this year, but it's $397.99 (like Corsair is offering) right now.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SODIMM kit if...

Your compatible laptop or compact PC currently has 8GB or 16GB of memory and that's increasingly proving to not be enough. Moving to 32GB can provide considerably more headroom for demanding workloads and multitasking.

❌ Skip the 32GB Corsair Vengeance DDR5 SODIMM kit if...

Your computer's specifications don't match. You need DDR5 SODIMM slots, and Corsair specifically lists compatibility with 13th Gen Intel Core or newer systems. Maximum supported capacity and memory speed also depend on your particular CPU and motherboard.

Also consider

• Acer's CEO claims RAM supply is still "quite large"
• Jason Chen does acknowledge that PC prices will rise in Q4, though, by up to 20% on average
• However, those prices will fall by mid-2027, the CEO predicts, asserting that: "It's impossible for the shortage to last until 2030!"

Not everyone is being totally downbeat about the RAM crisis, with Acer's CEO stating that he's hopeful that PC prices will drop from the middle of 2027, even if price rises are on the cards for the rest of this year.

VideoCardz higlighted a (translated) report from Taiwan's Economic Daily News that shares the most recent thoughts of Jason Chen, chief executive of Acer, on the RAM crisis.

Chen asserts that there isn't much of a DDR4 and DDR5 memory shortage at present, and that the "supply is quite large" for this RAM — we must bear in mind there may be some nuances lost in translation there — and also that there isn't much shortage of processors either.

The CEO does acknowledge that the prices of components are currently "fluctuating" at a high level, and that PC prices will continue to climb in the fourth quarter of 2026, with an average price rise of between 5% to 20%.

However, the good news, according to Chen, is that he believes PC prices should drop from mid-2027, and with more chip production coming online — especially in China — the memory shortage won't last for the rest of the decade.

Chen is pretty firm on that one, claiming that, "It's impossible for the shortage to last until 2030!"

Analysis: new hope for some stability?

As to whether there isn't much of a RAM shortage currently, almost everyone else begs to differ on that — although I accept that Chen's meaning may be altered in translation somewhat here, as noted, and perhaps the gist is that supply isn't as bad as some in the industry would have you believe.

Whatever the case, Chen is clearly sounding a more optimistic note than most. There have certainly been some analysts and prominent industry figures who are suggesting that the RAM crisis will indeed last until 2030, and those are the people who Chen is clearly directing that last comment at. The CEO does appear to be talking more about the Chinese market than the global picture here, though, and we should also bear that in mind.

Still, it's a relief to hear some more positive thinking on the RAM crisis, although there's one point that everyone can agree on: namely that prices are going to rise over the rest of 2026 and into 2027. Even Chen's predicted fall in PC pricing isn't forecast to come about until the middle of next year, and so for the time being, it's clear enough that we're stuck with rising prices.

The cost of RAM in particular has been soaring of late — against all odds, as it was already exorbitantly high — and GPUs are now being subject to some worrying price hikes (the top-end in particular is getting ridiculous), with more to come I expect. It's not pretty out there for consumers, and nothing is going to get better for some time — the question for me right now is: how much worse might things become?

I hope Chen's more positive noises here are indicative of at least some stabilizing around high pricing for PCs and components alike.

• AMD is rumored to be hiking prices for its chips
• Industry insiders in the supply chain indicate that a rise of around 10% will be applied across AMD's "entire chip line"
• This means GPUs and processors, as well as motherboards, and the hike is expected in Q4, so it could happen next month

AMD's processors and graphics cards could soon get more expensive in the latest blow from the RAM crisis rumor mill.

Wccftech spotted that leaker Harukaze5719 highlighted a post from ChannelGate (the Board Channels over in Asia) that cites sources in the supply chain who claim that TSMC has informed its customers of a 10% price rise.

The post observes that most of AMD's chips are manufactured by TSMC, and that Team Red has in turn notified its customers of a 10% "price adjustment" across its "entire chip product line".

That means everything, so on the consumer front, we can expect AMD's GPUs and Ryzen processors to be hit with price increases — and motherboard chipsets are also affected, so the price of those AMD boards will climb, too.

It's worth noting that processors aren't referred to explicitly in the post on the Board Channels, but given the mention of the entirety of AMD's chips, I think we can take that as real (as the leaker Harukaze5719 indicates).

The sources believe that AMD will enforce this new policy in Q4, so it could happen next month, in theory (although all of this remains a rumor).

In other RAM crisis bleakness, the Steam Frame arrived earlier this week with a much-inflated price tag compared to what Valve first envisioned for the VR headset. It starts at $1,059 / £889 / AU$1,609, which is a few hundred more dollars than what Valve was thinking originally.

As PC Gamer reports, a hardware engineer at Valve, Joy Lyons, said, "We set out to design [the Steam Frame] with one particular price in mind, but we've made choices to make sure that we're making a product that is choiceful, that people can purchase. They can upgrade with different features later. But we wanted to make sure we had a base product with really great performance. Then that price target shifted due to the ongoing RAM crisis around the world."

Analysis: a believable enough prediction

Sadly, the AMD rumor is another worrying doom nugget from what seems to be a never-ending supply of bad news in the past couple of months. Just this week, we've had a report that shows DDR5 RAM is somehow getting even more expensive, blowing past the levels I'd expected — not to mention the laptop price hikes.

The RAM crisis was forecast to worsen as 2026 rolled on, and that appears to be unfolding just as predicted — and there's very possibly worse to come in 2027, going by rumors elsewhere. If the pundits, analysts and insiders were right about this year, there's a fair chance they'll be right about next year, too.

Okay, so that's not a foregone conclusion, and some kind of more positive developments could yet happen — we can hope. This particular rumor must also be treated with some caution, as a Board Channels post may not have everything right (by any means), but the problem is that given the current climate, it's believable enough that AMD has price hikes in the works. Team Red already warned us earlier this year about pricing pain for the second half of 2026, after all.

• Future memory could be more durable thanks to developments with wurtzite ferroelectrics materials
• A new structural design has enabled a demonstration of 10 billion writing cycles, around 100 times the previous limit
• The breakthrough was made by scientists from the Xidian University working with the City University of Hong Kong and Fudan University.

Next generation memory for future AI systems will need far faster and more durable performance, and scientific researchers in China seem to have made a breakthrough, demonstrating a new design which can complete some 10 billion writing cycles, 100 times more than the previous limit.

This development – by teams at the Xidian University working with the City University of Hong Kong and Fudan University – is one of the most significant breakthroughs in memory development, and relies on the discovery of a quirk in the behavior of Nitrogen atoms.

Dense, low-power memory chips now seem to be a realistic possibility for a future demanding ever-scaling AI processing.

Wurtzite ferroelectrics

Creating faster memory and storage with greater capacity while keeping the energy requirements low is the holy grail of computing.

Over the past few years, research has increasingly focused on wurtzite ferroelectrics (polar crystal materials) such as aluminium scandium nitride (AlScN), which has the advantage of being compatible with semiconductor manufacturing processes currently in use.

It also offers that low energy target, along with the superior switching speed required by fast storage. Until now, the main challenge had been reliability. Testing of repeated switching in previously developed AlScN chips had resulted in failure after around 100 million writing cycles, but the researchers have found a solution.

Nitrogen cornfields

So, why has this breakthrough been made now? The previous failed attempts led researchers into deeper investigation as to why the AlScN chips would top out at 100 million cycles, which is where they found the problem: missing nitrogen atoms.

Wang Ruiqing, is a doctoral researcher at Xidian University and one of the authors of the research paper on the study, recently published in journal Science.

“Think of ferroelectric material as a neatly planted cornfield,” Wang said, “with nitrogen vacancies representing spots where seedlings are missing.” The defects were not the problem itself, however, but rather their behavior during switching. Rather than remain stationary, the nitrogen vacancies would move, and even group together. The consequence of this was the creation of “pathways” that allowed electricity to leak.

Upon discovering this, the team designed a structure to minimise the nitrogen vacancies, slowing the deterioration of the material.

“In the past, researchers knew that the devices failed and could observe some of the symptoms, but no one had been able to explain at the atomic scale what was moving, how they were moving and how that movement ultimately caused failure.” Wang added.

If successful, AlScN-based RAM and storage could form the backbone of future server farms and provide the framework for greater LLM and artificial intelligence adoption.

• DDR5 RAM has hit a new pricing high in the German market
• It's now 544% up on the price it was before the RAM crisis began
• This inflation backs up predictions of the memory shortage worsening, and Dell has just hiked the price of one of its popular laptops, too

If you wanted a telling example of how bad the cost of RAM is getting, the latest report on DDR5 pricing makes it crystal clear – and it reaches us as Dell moves to hike the price of its affordable XPS 13 laptop (in a roundabout way).

I'll come back to the ins-and-outs of what's happening with Dell, but first the DDR5 price jump, which has happened over in Germany.

3D Center keeps tabs on the monthly pricing of DDR5 memory in the German retail market – some 20 products are covered in this largest market in Europe – and as Wccftech flagged, the report for September shows this RAM is now 544% up on the price it was in July 2025 (the baseline level before the crisis began).

This is a big leap from 486% where the DDR5 price index sat in August, and since June, when it was at 419% having remained flat for much of the year. This obviously represents a depressingly hefty additional toll on the wallets of PC buyers or those upgrading their memory.

Meanwhile, as Mashable noticed, Dell has effectively upped the price of its XPS 13 laptop in the US, without actually increasing the baseline cost – instead of doing that, the laptop maker has introduced a new entry-level model with less storage.

So, previously the XPS 13 started from $699 in the US for the model with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. What Dell has done is brought in a new model with 256GB of storage at that $699 level, so while technically the cheapest XPS 13 is still at that price, you're getting a lower spec for the money.

The old baseline model with 8GB RAM and a 512GB SSD is now $799, so it's been hiked by $100 – a pretty nasty bump in cost that moves this notebook into a distinctly less affordable price bracket.

If you want the XPS 13 with 16GB of system memory (and 512GB of storage), that's also gone up $100 so it's now at $999. Do note that these are student-targeted laptops, and students get a $100 discount on the XPS 13, so you will pay less in that case. However, while $599 (with $100 off) remains a tempting price in this climate, 256GB storage is cutting it thin.

Analysis: as predicted, 2026 is turning much nastier with RAM

The DDR5 price spike is truly worrying in my opinion, simply because it's an acceleration of an already worsening picture. Yes, it's only one retail market and a snapshot of the overall landscape as such, but the same pattern is seen elsewhere. Just look at Tom's Hardware's price tracker, which shows 32GB of DDR5-5600 RAM in the US is now $409 (at the time of writing) compared to $72, which was the lowest price seen before the memory crisis.

That's over a 5.5x price increase in the US market (mirroring the German level of RAM inflation in this particular case). The end result is that what used to be a no-brainer of future-proofing any desktop PC – particularly a gaming rig – with 32GB of RAM is now a difficult choice to make, as sticking with 16GB is saving you $200 (or the regional equivalent). Bearing in mind that you're battling all sorts of other component inflation if you're building a new PC, too (most notably with the likes of SSDs and increasingly GPUs).

We were told that the second half of 2026 would see more RAM price misery, and these German market figures illustrate exactly that. Since June, buyers in the country have witnessed an effective 30% increase in the cost of DDR5 (when it was already hugely overinflated). It's worse than I imagined it could get, frankly, and I fear that the most pessimistic predictions – which also forecast a very rough 2027 – are very much on the money.

All these RAM price hikes are eventually reflected in the cost of laptops, of course, and the Dell XPS 13 provides an apt illustration here. Interestingly enough, I recently wrote about Dell's revelation of its new 14S laptop – which was shown off at IFA, but without any price tag being attached – saying that this made me nervous about how much the notebook might cost.

Given this XPS 13 hike, it's easy to see why Dell was hesitant, and to be fair to the company, it isn't the only manufacturer that's reticent to pin launch prices on incoming devices. This is becoming a trend because the memory shortage, and its knock-on effects, are making life difficult for all device makers.

DDR5 memory prices remain painfully high, so any sizable price reduction is worth watching out for. Corsair currently has a great deal on the white 32GB Vengeance RGB DDR5-6400 kit, combining fast memory with customizable RGB lighting.

• Best for: PC builders and gamers who want 32GB of fast DDR5 memory for a compatible Intel system.

• The deal: The white Vengeance RGB 32GB DDR5-6400 kit is $515.99 (was $643.99) at Corsair.

• Why it matters: The kit combines two 16GB DDR5-6400 modules with low-latency CL32 timings and Intel XMP 3.0 support for straightforward memory overclocking. Each module also features ten individually addressable RGB LEDs that you can customize through Corsair iCUE.

Why we recommend it

A 32GB dual-channel kit provides plenty of memory for a modern PC, giving you room for demanding multitasking, content creation and other memory-intensive applications. The DDR5-6400 speed provides a good balance between bandwidth and compatibility, and Intel XMP 3.0 support makes it easier to run the memory at its advertised settings without manually tweaking values in the BIOS.

Price context & historical value

The 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5-6400 RAM kit is currently reduced from $643.99 to $515.99, saving you $128, or just under 20%.

RAM prices vary considerably right now, so the value depends heavily on wanting this particular white RGB configuration rather than simply looking for the cheapest 32GB DDR5 kit.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance RGB if...

You're building or upgrading a DDR5 Intel PC and want 32GB of fast memory that also looks good. DDR5-6400, XMP 3.0 and customizable RGB lighting make it particularly appealing for a build with a windowed case.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance RGB if...

You're primarily interested in getting 32GB of DDR5 memory for the lowest possible price. You're paying extra for the white heat spreaders, RGB lighting and Corsair ecosystem.

Also consider

• Shop all RAM at Corsair.

• A new report from KB Securities gets very gloomy about the RAM crisis
• We're told the "memory chip market is heading toward a severe supply shortage" in 2027
• AI demand has ramped up massively with infrastructure investments up 60% year-on-year to $1.3 trillion, creating even more demand for memory as fuel for that rise

If you thought the RAM crisis was going to get worse next year, you're very probably right — but apparently we might suffer an even more severe shortage than some analysts already expect.

Wccftech flagged up an article from Business Korea (translated from Korean), which suggests that the RAM squeeze is tightening its grip on two of the biggest memory chip makers.

Citing a report from KB Securities, the rumor is that Samsung and SK Hynix are now down to fewer than 10 days of memory inventory, which is very close to running dry.

This has caused concerns that available memory supplies could dwindle and be depleted in 2027, with analysts believing that the "memory chip market is heading toward a severe supply shortage" (again, bear in mind this is a translation, but the message is clear enough).

KB Securities notes that the AI boom is what's causing this, as memory chip manufacturers struggle to meet demand for HBM4 memory in AI data centers. Infrastructure investments for AI development have been revised upwards to $1.3 trillion for 2027, we're told, which is a 60% year-on-year increase.

Kim Dong-won, head of research at KB Securities, told Business Korea that: "AI servers will absorb demand for not only HBM but also server DDR5 and enterprise SSDs, potentially leading to a historic shortage."

There's a brighter spot of news from laptop maker Framework though, which, as VideoCardz reports, has taken an unusual step in reducing the price of some of its products. As you may recall, Framework has been hiking laptop prices due to the increased cost of RAM (as have other notebook manufacturers), but the company just announced that it has secured some fresh memory modules at a lower price.

This means that some of its current Framework Laptop orders will be knocked down in price, and the company said on X that it's "retroactively reducing prices for orders that shipped at higher price" too.

Analysis: there's a historic level of gloom, that much is certain

It's impressive to see Framework acting in the best interests of its customers, particularly seeing as the firm could have (theoretically) kept quiet about bagging a batch of cheaper memory chips, and just kept the difference itself.

While that's commendable, it's a pretty small (but still welcome) bone we're being thrown in the face of the bad news for the RAM crisis here. Talk of a "historic shortage" is worrying, and it feels like this is an escalation of the recent chatter about global memory supply woes which has already turned highly negative.

While this latest report talks about server DDR5 RAM (and HBM), this will obviously have a bearing on consumer products, too. Those less profitable memory sticks are going to end up sidelined even further.

With rumors about GPU price hikes again coming to the fore this week, it's difficult to catch a breath between the bouts of bad news. We can hope that the pessimism is overblown here, but I can't shake the feeling that this seems unlikely.

DDR5 might be the memory standard for newer PCs, but it costs far more than DDR4, especially when you're shopping for faster or higher-capacity kits.

If you're upgrading a DDR4 system, I've found a terrific deal on the G.Skill 32GB Trident Z RGB for $215 (was $258) at Newegg when you use code LUYRF222.

For your money, you get two 16GB DDR4-3600 modules with CL18 timings, aluminum heat spreaders, customizable RGB lighting and Intel XMP 2.0 support.

Today's best DDR4 RAM deal

Why we recommend it

32GB is enough memory for demanding multitasking, gaming and creative applications. The DDR4-3600 speed is also a good fit for compatible DDR4 systems, particularly if you're upgrading an older machine that's currently running slower or lower-capacity memory.

The two matched 16GB modules provide a dual-channel configuration, with timings of 18-22-22-42 at 1.35V.

G.Skill's Trident Z design adds aluminum heat spreaders and customizable RGB lighting, making this a good choice if your PC has a windowed case and you want your memory to complement other RGB components.

Price context & historical value

Newegg sells the 32GB Skill Trident Z RGB kit for $257.49, and it's currently available for $249.99. Using coupon code LUYRF222 brings the final price down to $214.99.

While that's a decent price in today's inflated memory market, it's worth remembering just how much cheaper DDR4 used to be. Newegg sold this exact G.Skill kit for just $69.99 in August 2023, less than a third of its current discounted price.

Unfortunately, it's unlikely to drop down to that level again, so the current deal is worth considering if you need to upgrade your DDR4 system now.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the 32GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB kit if...

You have a compatible DDR4 desktop and want to increase its memory capacity without replacing your motherboard and processor to move to DDR5. The combination of 32GB capacity and DDR4-3600 speed makes it a solid upgrade for an older system.

❌ Skip the 32GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB kit if...

You're building a completely new PC around a recent processor and motherboard. In that situation, I'd seriously consider DDR5 instead, as you'll be investing in the newer memory standard rather than spending more than $200 on DDR4 that you won't be able to carry over to a future platform.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

You'll need to enable XMP, DOCP or A-XMP in your BIOS to reach the kit's advertised DDR4-3600 speed on compatible hardware. Otherwise, the memory will initially run at its default SPD speed.

Compatibility is also important. G.Skill recommends checking its motherboard QVL, and it specifically warns against mixing separate memory kits, even when their specifications appear identical, as doing so can cause stability problems.

• Shop all RAM at Newegg

• Japanese retailer warns of further GPU price hikes
• The retailer doesn't specify which GPUs will see increases
• Consumers are urged to buy now, but GPUs are already overpriced and unaffordable in many cases

The PC hardware market is still in disarray, with RAM shortages impacting almost every component, and unfortunately, matters could get even worse for GPU hunters.

As reported by VideoCardz, Japanese retailer Applied has warned consumers about potential price hikes for GPUs (yet again). It's unclear which GPU models this might apply to, but the retailer urges PC owners looking to upgrade their GPUs to buy as soon as possible.

VideoCardz also highlights that Japanese retailers only recently adjusted GPU prices upwards. In August, stores in Akihabara warned that pricing would be around 20% to 30% higher than usual.

Considering the recent rumblings of price hikes from Nvidia's board partners, it's fair to suggest that these increases will likely apply to other regions outside of Japan (assuming there's anything in these rumors).

If it wasn't exactly clear already, these price hikes are caused by the RAM crisis which is affecting all manner of PC components. Graphics cards are hit due to the rising cost of the video RAM on board.

Panic buying still isn't the best solution

PC owners are now hard-pressed to find affordable hardware upgrades, and it's been that way since the start of 2026. The RAM crisis is showing zero signs of slowing down, too, especially with reports from Samsung and industry analysts suggesting that the memory shortage will last past 2027 or beyond that, even.

Despite that, I still don't think it's the best idea to panic buy now when it comes to a GPU. Many Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon third-party GPUs are either unaffordable or overpriced at various major retailers. Prime examples of the former are the RTX 5080 at $1,699 at Best Buy in the US currently, while the RTX 5060 remains overpriced between $450 and $500, despite its $299 MSRP.

The same goes for AMD's Radeon RX 9070 XT, which has a $599 MSRP but can now cost up to $929 (specifically the Gigabyte overclocked model). The Radeon RX 9060 XT (16GB) also sits at least $200 to $300 above its MSRP, and the list goes on (in the US and elsewhere).

Simply put, buying a new GPU doesn't seem worth it unless you're a gamer looking to dive into the PC ecosystem for the first time. That's a harsh reality to accept, but panic buying might do more harm than good by increasing demand (which could lead to further short-term price hikes).

• AI data centers currently use a huge amount of energy
• Scientists have found a way to cut that energy bill by "orders of magnitude"
• It involves using "ultrafast magnetic-field pulses" in RAM and storage

It’s no secret that the current artificial intelligence (AI) boom is leading to record levels of energy consumption — all that computing power needs to be fueled somehow — and it’s causing much controversy among the communities that are impacted whenever a new data center lays down its roots in their neighborhoods.

Now, though, scientists think they’ve come across a way that could radically slash the energy requirements of memory and storage, with potentially massive consequences for the future of the computing and AI industries.

In a paper published in the Advanced Materials journal (via a press release in Science Daily), researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland wrote that the breakthrough would fundamentally affect the way magnetic memory operates. Right now, switching its state allows magnetic memory to control digital information, but the current methods of doing so can be costly in terms of energy.

Instead of using standard energy switching techniques, the researchers discovered an alternative that harnessed ultrafast magnetic field pulses that consumed far less energy. In fact, the paper claimed that the authors’ approach could cut energy usage by “up to two orders of magnitude” — in other words, a cut of around 100x, which is a significant reduction.

The data centers of the future

The AI revolution is only a few years old, but data center energy consumption has already become a significant issue. As the authors of the research paper put it, “Without significant improvements in efficiency, [information and communication technologies] could eventually represent a sizable share of worldwide electricity consumption and carbon emissions.” AI is playing a large role in that trend thanks to both its voracious appetite for component production and the sizable emissions it produces.

While the paper focused on magnetic memory, its theories could be applied to other fields, the authors believe. As study writer Dr. Elton J.G. Santos put it, “The same framework can be adapted to electrical currents and even ultrafast laser pulses, which are among the most cutting-edge technologies for future data storage. That means the ideas developed here could have applications far beyond the systems we studied.”

Although the research is still in the realm of theory, the paper’s authors proposed a number of practical steps that could help others build prototypes and conduct experiments.

That said, don’t expect monumental changes any time soon. There is still a long road ahead before these ideas get put into practice, if they ever do. But given the promising results of the scientists’ work, there is hope that the data centers of the future could be far less energy-intensive than those of today.

• Nvidia's NVHBM moves the memory controller off the accelerator die and into the HBM stack's base die, allowing it to claim a potential 30% more bandwidth, 15% lower HBM power, and 25% more compute area versus standard HBM4E
• Nvidia's NVHBM performance comparisons are linked to HBM4E, which is still in the sampling stage, with a launch expected sometime in 2027
• Access to the custom solution is gated behind NVLink Fusion; Amazon's Annapurna Labs is the only named partner so far and has not said which GPU uses that memory

On August 26, Nvidia extended its NVLink Fusion program with NVHBM, a custom high-bandwidth memory architecture that the company says delivers up to 30% more memory bandwidth per stack, 15% lower HBM power consumption, and up to 25% more usable area on the accelerator die.

The performance was measured against standard HBM4E samples even as the memory is expected to ship in volume some time in 2027.

Amazon's Annapurna Labs is the first named partner for Nvidia's memory advance which aims to address growing performance limitations for frontier-level AI models centering around limited bandwidth.

What makes NVHBM tick?

Nvidia's approach doesn't reinvent how memory is handled; it reimagines where it is managed. Conventional HBM approaches split this between two companies: the memory vendor supplies the DRAM stack and its base die, and the accelerator designer puts the memory controller and physical interface on its own compute die.

JEDEC standardizes the connection between the two at the cost of a very wide, comparatively slow parallel bus. NVHBM dissolves the seam altogether by moving Nvidia's memory controller into the base die of the 3D stack, replacing the standard bus with a narrower, serialized die-to-die link that Nvidia designs and memory makers can build.

Nvidia's technical blog puts the resulting reduction in interface and support area at up to 67% against the JEDEC HBM4E standard, even as it improves key power consumption, memory bandwidth, and usable area.

The underlying tech is not completely new, however: Marvell announced the same basic idea in December 2024, naming Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix as collaborators while claiming up to 25% more compute area, 33% greater memory capacity, and a 70% reduction in memory interface power, figures that come close to what Nvidia is currently projecting. Counterpoint Research analyst Neil Shah put it plainly: "The technology is not new. The distribution is."

Even as HBM4E remains elusive, as it is not in mass production just yet, with Samsung shipping the first HBM4E samples in late May 2026 and SK hynix pulling its own sampling forward to around June, NVHBM is even more elusive. It is a building block gated behind NVLink Fusion, Nvidia's program for connecting third-party accelerators to its rack-scale platform, and access runs through that program's partner list.

Amazon's Annapurna Labs is the first named participant, with Nvidia's blog saying Annapurna will support NVLink Fusion with Trainium4 without explicitly mentioning NVHBM.

For now, NVHBM might be the future, but it may arrive well after HBM4E is already being deployed en masse. Nvidia's own technical blog describes NVHBM as built on the same technology the company will use for future GPUs, without specifying the first generation that would support it natively.

If you're looking for 32GB of DDR5-6000 RAM, you might be tempted by Newegg's Labor Day deal on the 32GB (2 x 16GB) Corsair Vengeance kit for $490 (was $605).

That's a reasonable deal given the list price, but I've found a much cheaper alternative that offers the same capacity and memory speed.

The Patriot Viper Venom RGB kit is $410 at Newegg, a solid $80 cheaper. For your money, you get two 16GB DDR5-6000 modules with CL36 timings, Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO support, aluminum heat spreaders and customizable RGB lighting.

Why we recommend it

The Patriot kit supports both Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO profiles, making it easier to configure its rated memory settings on compatible Intel and AMD systems.

You also get an aluminum heat spreader, thermal sensor and RGB lighting that can synchronize with compatible Asus, ASRock, MSI and Gigabyte motherboards.

Patriot provides its own Viper Venom RGB software as another option for controlling the lighting.

Price context & historical value

Viper Venom's $2 reduction from $411.99 to $409.99 isn't much of a Labor Day discount on its own, so I wouldn't buy this kit because of the sale label.

The value comes when you compare it with the Corsair Vengeance alternative (I've detailed that right here). Even after applying Newegg's coupon to bring that kit down from $604.99 to $489.99, you're still paying $80 more than you would for the Patriot RAM.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Patriot Viper Venom RGB DDR5 kit if...

You want 32GB of fast DDR5 memory and don't see a good reason to spend another $80 on the Corsair kit. Both give you 32GB across two 16GB modules running at DDR5-6000, making Patriot the much cheaper route to the same capacity and rated speed.

❌ Skip the Patriot Viper Venom RGB DDR5 kit if...

You want the tighter memory timings offered by the Corsair Vengeance kit. Patriot's RAM is rated at CL36 with 36-36-36-76 timings, whereas the Corsair alternative runs at CL30, so the extra money does buy you lower latency.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

Compatibility is the important limitation here. Newegg specifically states that the Viper Venom kit isn't compatible with Intel Core Ultra Arrow Lake processors, so don't buy it for a newer Intel system without checking your motherboard and CPU compatibility first.

For supported systems, Patriot lists compatibility with AMD 600 and 800 Series platforms alongside Intel 600 and 700 Series motherboards, including Z690 and Z790.

• Shop all products in Newegg's Labor Day sale

• CD Projekt Red's joint CEO Michal Nowakowski has confidence in game consoles coping with the RAM crisis
• Nowakowski is convinced consoles will 'weather the storm', as analysts expect shortages to continue through 2027
• Sony isn't just facing the RAM crisis, but also a major backlash over its decision to end physical game discs

The RAM crisis is continuing to cause havoc with the hardware market, affecting component prices, PC makers, and potentially delaying next-gen console launches. However, it's not so bleak as you might think, at least in the eyes of CD Projekt Red's boss.

As reported by IGN, CD Projekt Red's (CDPR) joint CEO Michal Nowakowski was interviewed by The Game Business and voiced his confidence that next-gen consoles will survive the RAM crisis despite the prospect of high pricing.

This comes amid concerns and projections from industry insiders and analysts that RAM shortages are going to get worse in 2027 and beyond. The big three memory chip makers — Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron — are expected to increase combined capital spending to nearly 340% from 2024 to 2027.

It doesn't look like RAM shortages and high hardware prices will die down anytime soon, but this doesn't faze Nowakowski, at least when it comes to ensuring CDPR delivers the best possible content.

"Consoles are still necessary to broaden the audience on the casual or semi-casual level. It's important to have easy to plug in and enjoy gaming," Nowakowski says.

"I'm a big believer that they're [consoles] going to weather the storm. Pricing is the objective challenge. And the rumors... we hear them about the next-gen being delayed. I don't know if they're true."

RAM isn't the only worry for Sony

Besides the RAM crisis pushing up prices and causing potential console launch delays, Sony in particular may have an uphill battle ahead. Its recent decision to end production of physical game discs for PlayStation consoles, starting in January 2028, already has gamers in the ecosystem protesting and planning alternatives to escape the impending doom of discs.

An all-digital future means any form of game ownership will cease to exist, as digital content can theoretically be taken away from gamers at any time, and that has led to a loud (and justified, I think) reaction from the console community.

The Game Business didn't question Nowakowski directly about physical game ownership, but did probe further on the effect that delayed next-gen consoles might have, with Nowakowski making CDPR's stance very clear.

"If the next-gen gets delayed, it could be the case that some ideas [for games] are put on a shelf for the future. We'd have to adjust. We're not worried on the commercial side. Consoles are here to stay."

It's fair to say that Nowakowski's last statement is a realistic assessment. Even given Sony's dismissal of physical game discs, this isn't going to lead to a complete collapse in the popularity of consoles.

However, Sony may not make life easy for itself and publishers such as CDPR, as from 2028, when the discs are dumped with the PlayStation ecosystem, a hit to games sales is far from impossible — especially if the ongoing backlash from gamers is anything to go by.

There aren't many internal SSDs that score the full five stars in our reviews, but this one did it - and smashed all our expectations in tests. Right now, the Samsung 2TB 990 Pro SSD is at $390 (was $640) at Amazon.

That's a near record-low price for a drive that's been the default answer to “which NVMe should I buy” for the better part of two years. And it undercuts most 1TB competitors on a per-terabyte basis. Speaking of, both the 1TB and 4TB models are also on sale, but for my money, of the three the 2TB drive offers the best value for money.

For more demanding professional workloads, I recommend upgrading to the Samsung 9100 Pro SSD for $400 at Amazon.

Why we recommend it

The 990 PRO is still one of the fastest PCIe 4.0 drives you can buy, and TechRadar's own testing backs that up. We called it an absolutely stellar M.2 SSD for both professional users and gamers, and praised how quickly it handled large file saves in our benchmarks. That combination of proven real-world performance and Samsung's five-year warranty is hard to match at this price.

Samsung builds its own NAND flash, DRAM cache, and controller in-house, which is part of why the 990 PRO has held its position at the top of the PCIe Gen 4 hierarchy for so long in a market where flagship drives usually get leapfrogged within 18 months. With over 12,000 reviews and a 4.8-star average on Amazon, it's a well-proven choice for gaming rigs, content creation machines, and general-purpose PC builds alike.

Also consider

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB if... you want a proven, high-performance PCIe 4.0 SSD for gaming, video editing, or general PC builds, you're upgrading a PS5 and want a heatsink-compatible drive, or you want 2TB of fast storage without paying flagship Gen5 pricing.

❌ Skip the Samsung 990 PRO 2TB if... your motherboard supports PCIe 5.0 and you want to make full use of it, you don't need anywhere close to 2TB of storage, or you're on a tighter budget and could make do with a 1TB drive instead.

Price Context & Historical Value

The $639.99 list price shown on this listing is an inflated reference that doesn't reflect what this drive has typically sold for. Street pricing on the 990 PRO 2TB has more realistically run $420 to $480 even during major sale events, so treat the $639.99 figure as a nominal anchor rather than a genuine recent price. Even against that more realistic street price, $389.99 is a meaningful cut and lands close to this drive's lowest price in months.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is a PCIe 4.0 drive, not PCIe 5.0, so if your motherboard supports the newer standard, you won't get the full speed a Gen5 drive like Samsung's own 9100 PRO can offer. It also doesn't include a heatsink in this configuration, so if you're installing it in a system that runs hot or you want PS5 compatibility out of the box, budget for one separately. For most desktop and laptop builds without dedicated M.2 cooling requirements, that's a minor caveat rather than a dealbreaker.

PC memory prices remain seriously high, making even a straightforward 32GB DDR5 upgrade far more expensive than it would have been just a year ago.

Sadly, I don't have a time machine, so there's nothing I can do about that, but there are still decent discounts to be had. I've found one on a 32GB (2 x 16GB) kit of Corsair Vengeance DDR5-6000 RAM for $490 (was $605) at Newegg when you use code LDSF234.

It's already got a small discount, but the code knocks even more off the list price.

Why we recommend it

It combines DDR5-6000 speeds with 30-36-36-76 timings and a CAS latency of 30. The two 16GB modules give you 32GB in dual-channel mode, which is a good capacity for everyday work, creative tasks, and more demanding applications.

Intel XMP 3.0 support also makes getting the advertised performance relatively straightforward on a compatible motherboard. Corsair uses a low-profile aluminum heat spreader, so the modules should also play nicely with larger CPU coolers.

There’s no RGB lighting, which could actually be a plus if you prefer a clean build without turning your PC into a miniature nightclub.

Price context & historical value

The regular Newegg price of $605 is very high, but with a discount and the promo code, $490 is a much more affordable option and works out at $15.31 per GB. This obviously is nowhere near an all-time low. The same kit was available for $229.99 in November 2025 and dropped as low as $99.99 in July 2023, showing just how dramatically memory prices have risen.

For more savings, we've picked out this week's best RAM deals.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM if...

You need 32GB of fast DDR5 memory now and have been waiting for a decent discount. DDR5-6000 and CL30 make it worthwhile and the low-profile design and XMP 3.0 support add to its appeal.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance DDR5 RAM if...

You already have 32GB of reasonably quick DDR5 memory. Unless your existing RAM is particularly slow, replacing it with this kit probably won’t produce enough of a noticeable everyday performance improvement to justify the upgrade.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is a decent deal for someone building or upgrading now, but if you're not in any rush, it's worth waiting for memory prices to come back down. You should also check your motherboard and CPU compatibility before ordering. This particular kit supports Intel XMP 3.0 rather than being marketed as an AMD EXPO kit.

• See all desktop memory at Newegg

While RAM prices remain high, I've spotted a welcome deal from one of our top-performing memory makers, with the 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 kit now $260 (was $300) at Newegg.

What you're getting for your money is a well-established Corsair kit with a good combination of capacity, speed and relatively tight timings for an existing DDR4 system. The two 16GB DDR4-3200 modules run at CL16, with 16-20-20-38 timings, and features support for Intel XMP 2.0.

Why we recommend it

DDR4-3200 CL16 remains a decent specification for many existing Intel and AMD DDR4 systems. It offers reasonably tight latency, and the two-module configuration gives you a straightforward dual-channel setup.

Corsair also uses a custom PCB and screened memory ICs with stability and overclocking in mind. XMP 2.0 makes reaching the rated settings straightforward on compatible hardware so there's no need to configure timings manually.

It looks good too. The RGB implementation gives you ten individually addressable LEDs on each module, with extensive customization available through iCUE.

Price context & historical value

$259.99 is around 13% off the usual $299.99 asking price. That's not too bad in today's expensive memory market, but 32GB DDR4 kits have sold for an awful lot less in the not-so recent past.

Memory prices have risen massively this year (thanks mainly to AI), so this is about reducing what you have to pay now, rather than getting anywhere close to when DDR4 was cheap.

For more savings, we've picked out this week's best RAM deals.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro if...

You have an existing DDR4 desktop that needs more memory and want a 32GB dual-channel kit rather than replacing the rest of your platform just to move to DDR5. It's suitable for systems where 16GB is beginning to feel restrictive when multitasking or running memory-hungry apps.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro if...

You're building an entirely new PC and have the option of choosing a DDR5 platform. Buying DDR4 makes much more sense as an upgrade that extends the life of an existing machine than as the foundation of a new high-end system.

Part of the appeal of Vengeance RGB Pro is its lighting and design, and if you don't need that then a less elaborate 32GB DDR4 kit may make more sense and cost less.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

The biggest issue is obvious: $259.99 is still a lot of money for 32GB of DDR4. That said, you're not going to find many bargains right now, so any saving is still worth considering.

These RGB modules also have relatively tall heat spreaders, so clearance is worth checking if you use a large CPU air cooler.

• See all desktop memory at Newegg

TeamGroup is a name we see often in budget and mid-range memory kits, and this one's worth a look if you need a DDR5 upgrade amid sky-high component costs. Right now the TeamGroup's 16GB DDR5-6000 CL38 kit has dropped to $215 (was $248) at Newegg with code BTSF3667.

It's already reduced down to $240, but Newegg's coupon code shaves an extra $25 off the price at a time where we're seeing sharp increases on RAM pricing across the board driven by AI data center demand.

Why we recommend it

TeamGroup has a solid track record in the budget-to-mid-range memory space, and this kit covers the fundamentals: DDR5-6000 speeds with CL38 timings, a common and well-supported configuration for both Intel and AMD platforms, plus AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 profile support so you're not stuck manually tuning timings.

The bigger context here matters more than usual. DDR5 prices have risen dramatically since late 2025, driven by AI data centers absorbing memory manufacturing capacity that would otherwise go toward consumer RAM. Kits that cost $80 to $120 a year ago now regularly run $350 or more for larger capacities, so a straightforward 16GB kit at this price, while not a steep discount, is landing in a market where prices have been climbing rather than falling.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the TeamGroup DDR5-6000 kit if...

You need to build or upgrade a system now and can't wait out the current memory shortage, you want a straightforward DDR5-6000 kit without RGB lighting driving up the price, or your motherboard is confirmed to support EXPO or XMP 3.0 at this speed.

❌ Skip the TeamGroup DDR5-6000 kit if...

Your current build doesn't strictly need more memory right now, you're hoping for a return to pre-shortage DDR5 pricing (that's not coming soon), or you'd rather wait and watch prices given how volatile this market has been.

Price Context & Historical Value

What makes this worth flagging at all is the broader memory market: DDR5 prices have roughly tripled to quadrupled since late 2025 due to the ongoing shortage, and industry analysts don't expect meaningful relief until 2027. In that context, this isn't a dramatic deal, but it's also not an inflated price relative to where DDR5 currently sits.

For more savings, every week we track the best RAM deals on the market.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

It's worth checking your motherboard's QVL or compatibility list before buying, since DDR5-6000 speeds aren't guaranteed on every platform without manual tuning. Given how volatile memory pricing has been, it's also worth comparing against other retailers before checking out, since prices on kits like this one can shift day to day.

Also consider

• See other memory deals at Newegg.

• DDR5 RAM pricing has risen swiftly again in Germany
• That means two months of sharp increases, backing up recent rumors that memory is going to get pricier
• An exec from the storage world has also said that SSD-related pricing pain is seemingly going to last until 2030

I've recently been writing about how the RAM crisis appears to be reaching new levels of severity, and unfortunately there's more evidence that the situation is worsening with the price of system memory and storage.

Wccftech noticed that 3D Center has a new set of monthly figures for the German retail market which shows that as of mid-August, DDR5 RAM pricing has risen to 486% of the cost it was in July 2025. So, effectively it's five times pricier than before the crisis began a year ago.

That's a substantial jump from the 445% level seen last month, and an even bigger increase than the previous month, in which prices were at 419%. To look at it another way, prices have risen 16% in August compared to the cost of DDR5 in mid-June.

Internal SSD prices have also increased 7.7% month-on-month in the German retail market – and those drives are now 2.2 times as expensive as they were pre-crisis – and Wccftech also picked up another interesting but bleak storage revelation.

Pua Khein-Seng, the CEO of Phison, which makes controllers for SSDs, observed that the NAND market (flash memory chips for SSDs) is in deeper trouble than was previously believed in terms of the time needed to ramp up production.

Taiwan's Commercial Times reports that Pua said he recently had a conversation with senior executives from a NAND manufacturer, and that he asked about how long it would take from investment (being made now) to actual mass production being realized.

The CEO noted (bear in mind translation issues): "He originally estimated it would take about two years, but the answer they gave was 'four years.'"

What this means is that the expectation is now that NAND supply difficulties are going to persist through to 2030 (rather than 2028).

Analysis: there may be trouble ahead…

That's an unsettling prediction from the storage world, coming as it does on top of a lot of other recent bad news suggesting that the RAM crisis will last a long time, and possibly to 2030 and beyond – and that the remainder of this year, and 2027, are going to see matters get worse.

The German retail market appears to be a clear indicator of how things are going, seeing as DDR5 pricing had dropped slightly and then plateaued (more or less) since the beginning of 2026, but started a sharp climb in July as noted. Yes, this is just one source of info, but it's a snapshot of the market of a large European country, and it correlates with all the gloomy predictions we're hearing of late.

As 3D Center points out (again, this is translated): "The bigger picture now points to a worrying price trend, which is likely to break exorbitant levels very soon, unless this trend is halted – for which there are currently no indications."

Sadly, it seems that RAM and storage prices really are going to increase as 2026 rolls on. While there would appear to still be room for further hikes to SSDs (sadly), with system RAM it's arguable how much more consumers can take before they completely refuse to buy until costs come down at least somewhat. That said, new desktops and laptops are still going to be sold, so this isn't just about refusing to upgrade your home PC's memory, of course.

The RAM crisis is everywhere you look these days, and it’s impossible to go a day without seeing more headlines predicting doom and gloom for tech lovers worldwide. But there’s another side to this grim situation — one that I wouldn’t even have thought about if it wasn’t directly affecting me.

It all comes down to the hidden costs of upgrading your PC, costs that sky-high memory prices have stretched to breaking point. Because for certain people, picking some new components for your computer is more complicated than simply wincing as you add a new set of memory to your online basket. When one new part necessitates changing several others, costs can balloon and upgrading becomes a whole lot more daunting.

There’s not been much conversation about this, but it’s a very real problem for a lot of people. And with the RAM crisis showing no signs of abating any time soon, it’s likely to claim more victims as the months roll on.

A galling prospect

My gaming PC is starting to show its age. Aside from a new Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti that I somehow managed to get at below retail price last year (don’t @ me), it’s not exactly running on the newest hardware.

It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU from 2020, a B550 motherboard, and 32GB of DDR4 memory. I’ve noticed it slow down and struggle in certain tasks, so I’ve been thinking about upgrading. The problem for me, though, is that this is a much more involved process than simply buying a new CPU or a fresh set of RAM.

Because my 5600X CPU is part of the final desktop AM4 generation, any upgrade would mean stepping up to AM5. And because we’re talking about a different platform, I’d also need to purchase a new motherboard and set of memory modules to ensure that everything is compatible (AM5 only supports DDR5 RAM).

And now my problem becomes apparent. This is not just a simple swap out situation — I need to rip out and replace half of my rig if I want to freshen things up. I can’t just snap up a speedy new CPU and be done with it.

In any ordinary timeline, that would be a costly undertaking, but not one that could potentially bankrupt you. Now, though, it’s a very different situation — and a substantially more expensive one — because my existing DDR4 memory would need to be replaced, opening me up to a whole new world of pricing pain.

Tot up the combined outlay for all the new components and it’s enough to put anyone off. Thanks to the RAM crisis, my mooted upgrade is a far more galling prospect than would normally be the case — and it doesn’t look like things are going to get better any time soon.

Work out the true costs involved

For people like me who are looking to change from one hardware platform to an entirely new one, the memory shortage takes on a whole new level of pain. It’s a hidden cost that not everyone thinks about when they look at the soaring costs of RAM.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, you’ve got two choices: wait it out and accept lower performance than you’d like for longer than you’d like, or stump up a much weightier pile of cash than you’d ever hoped to. It’s not exactly a win-win scenario, but we’re short of options at the moment.

If you can upgrade other parts of your rig, as I did with my graphics card, take that opportunity to lock down gains where you can. Of course, even that is a money-gouging endeavor, but GPU prices haven’t quite kept pace with those of RAM or storage in recent months — although recent reports suggest they’re about to get much worse. Now could well be the time to act.

And if you’re considering changing any part of your PC setup, think carefully about all the costs involved. That means looking beyond the one component you want to upgrade and considering any knock-on effects that might be created thanks to compatibility issues.

That could lead to a rather unpleasant dose of sticker shock when you work out the true cost of your PC upgrade. But the last thing you want is to be surprised when you go to pull the trigger and see how much you really have to spend.

• Apple's MacBook Air is facing supply constraints, as delivery estimates last up to a month
• The delivery delays are a direct result of the ongoing RAM crisis
• Consumers may have to look at Windows alternatives, as the RAM crisis gets worse

PC hardware manufacturers can't catch a break from the ongoing RAM crisis, and unfortunately, Apple arguably knows that more than anyone.

As reported by 9to5Mac, MacBook Air shortages are worsening, as delivery estimates for configurations on Apple's online store are longer than usual. Nearly all configurations have a 2-3 week shipment estimate, while those with 32GB of RAM have up to 4-5 weeks.

It's increasingly clear that RAM shortages are causing supply issues for Apple, and the extended delivery estimates come shortly after Apple's recent slate of price hikes on Macs and iPads. Notably, the MacBook Air M5 saw a $200 price increase earlier in June, and despite that, shortages remain.

Supply is so bad that 9to5Mac notes that Apple retail employees state that the MacBook Air shipments are "more constrained than they can ever recall", and that's a fitting statement since the PC hardware market is possibly at its worst state ever.

Fresh rumors also point to Apple being set on a price increase for its iPhone 17 — so without a doubt, proceedings aren't looking great for the tech giant (and several other hardware companies) in terms of supply stability.

Apple also has a history of rarely dropping prices for its devices, so the only other options consumers have are to buy MacBooks from other retailers or consider Windows alternatives.

What now?

Outside of Apple's online store, Amazon currently has the 13-inch M5 MacBook Air available at a lower price ($1,256) and a shorter delivery window using Prime. The same applies to several other configurations, including the 15-inch model.

Apple's RAM and supply constraints won't end anytime soon, so Windows alternatives are also sensible for consumers to aim for. The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x, Yoga Slim 7i Aura, and even Dell's XPS 13 are solid laptop options. They may not all match the MacBook Air in performance, but they are enough to get the job done.

There's no better time than now for consumers to act on purchasing a new laptop, as insiders like Mark Gurman and even Apple chief financial officer Kevan Parekh indicate that Apple's supply constraints aren't set to improve, but only worsen — and that likely extends to 2027 and beyond.

The memory crisis that has blighted upgraders and new PC builders this year isn't going away anytime soon, but while DDR5 gets most of the attention, millions of perfectly capable PCs still use the more affordable DDR4.

The 32GB Gigastone GST Game Pro DDR4-3200 kit is now $230 (was $250) at Newegg. That's only a $20 saving, so this isn't a massive price cut, but in the current memory market, any reduction on a useful 32GB kit is welcome in my opinion.

You get two matched 16GB DDR4 modules running at 3200MHz with relatively tight CL16-18-18-38 timings. The memory operates at 1.35V and supports Intel XMP 2.0, allowing compatible systems to apply its 3200MHz performance profile without manually configuring every memory setting. For faster memory, I've also found a 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM kit deal via Newegg.

Also consider

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Gigastone GST Game Pro if...

Your desktop already uses DDR4 and you want to move to 32GB without rebuilding the rest of your PC. That's plenty of memory for heavy multitasking, content creation, and other demanding workloads, and the two-module configuration gives you a matched dual-channel kit.

❌ Skip the Gigastone GST Game Pro if...

You're building a completely new PC around a modern DDR5 platform. DDR4 and DDR5 aren't interchangeable, so motherboard compatibility is essential. You should also check your motherboard's supported speeds and XMP capabilities before buying if you want to run the kit at its advertised 3200MHz.

Why we recommend it

DDR4-3200 with CL16 timings remains a solid specification for compatible Intel and AMD desktops. The 32GB capacity provides considerably more breathing room than an older 16GB setup, and XMP 2.0 makes reaching the rated 3200MHz speed straightforward on supported systems.

The kit also includes heat spreaders and carries a five-year warranty. There are no elaborate RGB effects or other unnecessary extras here; it's all about adding a useful amount of relatively fast DDR4 memory to an existing desktop.

Price context & historical value

Newegg has reduced the kit from $249.99 to $229.99, saving $20, or around 8%. That's a fairly modest discount, and still more than you'd have paid for it this time last year, but it's one of the cheaper options we've seen lately.

For anyone with a DDR4 machine that's otherwise doing everything they need, upgrading the memory can also make considerably more sense than moving to DDR5. Switching memory generations generally means buying a compatible motherboard and potentially a new processor, turning a RAM upgrade into a much more expensive project.

You can save even more on component upgrades when using Newegg's Trade-in program here. And for more savings, we track the best RAM deals each week.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is desktop DDR4 UDIMM memory, not DDR5 or laptop SO-DIMM memory, and Gigastone advises using the matched kit together. Reaching 3200MHz also depends on your processor, motherboard, and memory settings, so don't assume every DDR4 system will automatically run it at full speed.

Seeing the red 'limited-time deal' banner on some DDR5 RAM at Amazon should elicit some excitement given the rarity of price cuts lately. But when you click through and see the price for this 32GB Corsair Vengeance kit, you'll wonder if there's genuinely a deal here at all — and other wannabe buyers aren't wholly convinced, either.

"It's 'only' 4x the price it should be," wrote one user named Technikal on HotUKDeals, a community that shares deals from across the web and asks the community to vote whether they think they are hot or cold. "The current average is 5x," he continues, "so, in that sense it's a good deal...I guess."

A muted response, that's for sure. And while it may be true that the deal price of the RAM kit is technically one of the lowest prices available right now, it's so far from the much lower prices we saw before the RAM crisis turned buying memory for your PC into a depressing exercise.

"Blimey, just checked my receipt for mine from 2 years ago - cost £85..." says another HotUKDeals user named Jacko_1975.

In fact, even just a year ago, this very same RAM kit was available for £99.99 when it wasn't even on sale, according to price history information from Keepa.

Given that, it's no surprise that shoppers have reacted negatively to Amazon's flash deal. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't look like things are getting any better when it comes to RAM prices. A report from Samsung suggests the RAM crisis is just getting started, and it could extend to other components in the near future.

If you're looking at these deals and are trying to convince yourself to purchase any RAM in the near future, we've got a PC gaming expert delivering advice on what to do if you're considering buying memory, a GPU, or other components.

Sadly, the news is grim, and these prices could be with us for a while yet. So, yes, it may be difficult to feel happy about seeing supposed RAM deals like this, but from what I'm seeing and hearing, I don't think they're going to get any better, either.

The RAMpocalypse continues to make PC upgrades considerably more expensive than they used to be just a year ago, particularly if you're shopping for fast DDR5. SO, I've been keeping a close eye on any discounts like this one: the 32GB V-Color Manta XSky DDR5-6000 kit for $398 (was $430) at Newegg with the coupon code BTSF2927.

This 32GB kit consists of two 16GB modules using SK Hynix ICs, with DDR5-6000 speeds and tight CL30-38-38-96 timings at 1.35V. It's designed specifically around AMD EXPO, allowing compatible AMD systems to apply its advertised overclocked settings via the appropriate memory profile. You also get cool RGB lighting.

For another pick, I've also found a 32GB CL30 Corsair Vengeance RGB RAM kit deal via Newegg.

Why we recommend it

DDR5-6000 CL30 is an attractive combination for compatible AMD PCs, and the use of SK Hynix ICs will make it appealing for buyers focused on performance. You get 32GB across two modules, AMD EXPO support, and RGB lighting in a kit designed specifically for AMD systems rather than paying for features aimed at multiple platforms.

Also consider

Price context & historical value

The headline $419.99 price only saves $10 from the listed $429.99 price, so the coupon is crucial. Applying code BTSF2927 removes another $22, taking the total saving to $32 and the final price to $397.99.

That's still expensive for 32GB of RAM by historical standards, but current DDR5 pricing means every meaningful reduction helps if you need memory now rather than waiting for the market to finally improve.

As reader Ben G. suggests below, you can save even more on component upgrades when using Newegg's Trade-in program here.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the V-Color Manta XSky 32GB if...

You're building or upgrading a compatible AMD desktop and specifically want fast DDR5-6000 with tight CL30 timings. The two-module 32GB configuration provides plenty of capacity for modern gaming and demanding everyday workloads, while AMD EXPO makes accessing the rated settings simpler than manually configuring memory timings.

❌ Skip the V-Color Manta XSky 32GB if...

You're running an older DDR4 platform or don't need premium memory speeds and timings. DDR5 isn't backward compatible with DDR4 motherboards, and even with the coupon this remains an expensive 32GB upgrade. Anyone primarily interested in adding capacity rather than maximizing memory performance should consider cheaper alternatives.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

This is an AMD EXPO-focused kit, so check your motherboard's memory compatibility before buying, particularly if you're considering it for an Intel system.

You'll also need to enable the appropriate profile in the BIOS to reach DDR5-6000; otherwise, the memory operates at its lower base speed.

It appears that the RAM crisis is getting worse than ever as we head further into 2026. I've been closely watching and reporting on memory price hikes — which were soon followed by other PC component cost increases — since this crisis first began, and the worrying thing is, I can't recall a gloomier stream of negative news than I've witnessed over the past few weeks.

That includes Samsung recently declaring that the RAM crisis is going to become more severe in 2027, and rumors that even mighty Apple is floundering in its attempt to secure new RAM supplies from China (as other notebook makers consider this alternative route to the three main memory chip giants: Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix).

Previous to that, we saw laptop maker Framework break news of a truly eye-opening cost increase for mobile RAM, just as one gauge of DDR5 pricing saw it jump in price to a new all-time high (after plateauing earlier this year). On top of that, the boss of SK Hynix voiced the opinion that 2027 will be the worst year in the RAM industry's history, and that the crisis is likely to be drawn out to the next decade.

This isn't just about RAM, of course, but other components, including CPU price rises, and devices themselves — PCs and laptops (and phones). But most notably over the past month it's been graphics cards in the crisis limelight. We've witnessed the resurrection of old GPUs to try to bolster stock levels of more affordable cards, and more recently we've been subjected to what seems like an endless parade of negativity about imminent price hikes.

Apparently, Gigabyte is set to increase the price tags of its graphics card to the tune of 20% to 40% in Japan, and MSI is going to jack up prices of Nvidia GPUs in China by 20% or more. Asus is supposedly preparing a similar 20% hike (as Wccftech reported).

Another recent gloom nugget is the assertion that Nvidia RTX 5000 models will get hikes of 30% in South Korea this month, and all of this pain is mainly rooted in the increased price of video RAM, of course. (Those cost increases are the reason the RTX 5000 Super refreshes have been delayed, according to the grapevine, as those rumored cards are packed with VRAM).

While a good deal of this is individual pieces of regional activity with GPU pricing, it's obvious that these hikes are happening as part of a concerted shift, one that will surely be reflected globally — it's not like Asian markets are in a bubble of their own.

The overarching theme is a worsening of price hike misery, and that the pricing storm is likely to intensify this year, and probably in 2027, too. While previously the RAM crisis has been more of a light-and-shade affair, now it feels like the depression has been turned up a notch. Whereas before, there was certainly more darkness than light, we've had notable spots of relief where an exec in the memory industry stepped forward and theorized that maybe things aren't as bad as we think. But lately those embers of optimism appear to have burned out.

To me, it feels like there's a shift underway towards a full acknowledgement that we really are going to experience a lot more pricing pain in the foreseeable future. If it's so bad that even Apple is purportedly scrambling to secure RAM supplies, and is having trouble doing so, I think it's time to turn up the worry meter by a notch or two.

What should you do?

Here's my advice on the current landscape with PC components and hardware (season it appropriately). Obviously, worrying isn't going to help you, but awareness of what might be sensible upgrades or purchases to make now will, based on the likelihood of hikes (we could call it the 'hike-lihood' – or maybe not). Nothing is certain about the future of components, of course, but it does feel like there's a clear area in which the potential price hikes are a bigger threat: GPUs.

As I discussed above, there's a lot of recent evidence that graphics card pricing is going up. Yes, it's a collection of rumors in the main, but there's a lot of it all pointing in a very similar direction — and a video RAM toll was always going to be exacted in the end. We've seen it already with higher-end graphics cards, and now I believe we're going to see it in the mid-range, and even budget models. Indeed, top-end GPUs are likely to get even more expensive as well.

If you're thinking about a GPU upgrade for this year or next, given all this, I think now really is the time to buy — especially with a lower-tier model, as you can still get more affordable graphics cards at their MSRP. Ditto for mid-rangers, although it's tougher to recommend higher-end Nvidia boards when they are already so expensive.

As noted, though, that could get worse. And granted, you may still want to wait for Black Friday — it's not that far off, and there might be some GPU deals then. However, I wouldn't bank on anything hugely compelling (or discounts that aren't offset by the price rises which are predicted to take hold in the next few months).

So, if there's one PC component that I think you should buy now, it's a graphics card. I think the signs are pretty clear on that (and see here for my recommendations on different models to consider). By extension, higher-end gaming laptops could also be a wise move for purchasing sooner rather than later. That's for the same reason, really — they have beefy (mobile) GPUs (with plenty of VRAM in some cases).

I don't think it's a bad move to buy any laptop, by the way, gaming or not (away from the higher-end), come your earliest window of opportunity. I think we'll see further price rises here, too, and RAM is going to cause more upward pricing pressures for notebooks — just look at Framework's recent revelation as mentioned.

What about RAM and SSDs themselves? While system memory kits and storage have already seen huge price rises, it now looks like there's worse to come (somehow).

On the other hand, there's a ceiling as to how expensive this stuff can get before buyers withdraw from what they see as an increasingly unrealistic and out-of-touch market. This is a much more difficult call to make, but if you can find something that looks relatively reasonably priced, I don't think you'll regret the purchase in the next couple of years. But that said, I can't recommend a RAM upgrade in particular at current pricing levels, unless it's unavoidable, frankly.

Above all, though, consider a GPU upgrade if you're in the market for a new card, or you think you'll need one in the next couple of years (yes, I think it's wise to be looking quite far down the road here).

The other thing to bear in mind is that there's a danger there will be a rush for GPUs, a flurry of buying that puts further strain on supply and therefore prices. As VideoCardz reports, one Japanese retailer has warned of Nvidia RTX 5000 graphics card sales increasing "sharply", even just with the news of rumored price increases — let alone the confirmation. Prices are already rising and restocks of the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 are already being labelled as "unstable", hinting that inventory could start to dry up quickly.

That's just one report, of course, and it pertains to the high-end of the market, so it's not something to start panicking about yet. But it does make some sense that if pricing begins to creep up, more PC owners may start to act on GPU upgrades. I wouldn't blame them, frankly.

G.Skill's Ripjaws V Series memory has long been considered one of the best budget picks around - and if you're dodging the DDR5 tax that's going on right now with no end in sight, I've uncovered a good deal on the 32GB G.Skill Ripjaws V Series DDR4-3200 kit is $210 (was $230) at Amazon.

In the midst of the RAMpocalypse, not everyone needs to the more expensive DDR5 (and many PCs can't use them any way). So, with this G.Skill kit, you get two matched 16GB modules running at 3200MT/s with CL16-18-18-38 timings, plus an Intel XMP profile for straightforward configuration on compatible systems.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB if...

Your existing desktop supports DDR4 and you want to increase its memory without replacing your motherboard and processor simply to gain DDR5 support. 32GB will be enough for most heavy multitasking, gaming, and photo editing tasks, and the matched 2 x 16GB configuration provides dual-channel operation on compatible systems.

❌ Skip the G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 32GB if...

You're thinking of building a new PC around a modern DDR5-only platform or already have 32GB of adequately fast DDR4 installed. DDR4 and DDR5 aren't interchangeable, so check your motherboard specifications before buying.

You should avoid mixing separate memory kits, even when their specifications appear identical, because doing so can cause stability problems.

Why we recommend it

DDR5 offers greater bandwidth and is the obvious choice for platforms designed around it, but that doesn't make DDR4 obsolete overnight.

If your motherboard supports DDR4, upgrading the machine you already own can make much more sense than replacing other components simply to move to the newer memory standard.

For a compatible PC, 32GB of DDR4-3200 will be plenty good enough for most everyday workloads and games. More importantly, upgrading your current system will be much simpler.

This Ripjaws V kit provides a useful capacity, respectable CL16 timings, and XMP support without unnecessary extras such as RGB lighting.

Price context & historical value

The current $209.89 price isn't a historic low, but the bigger picture explains why. This 32GB kit was selling for well under $100 last fall before surging to nearly $285 earlier this year on the back of the RAM crisis. Prices have since fallen steadily, with $209.89 holding for the past month.

That's considerably below the recent peak, but still far above last year's pricing. It's at the same price at Newegg right now, and $240 (was $250) at Best Buy. Until the RAMpocalypse ends, you likely won't find a significantly better deal on Ripjaws V Series memory.

I recently highlighted a price cut on Corsair's Vengeance 32GB DDR5 RAM kit deal - and it stirred a lot of debate over the sky-rocketing prices of top-end RAM. This is a much cheaper option.

For more savings, we track the week's best RAM deals.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

DDR4-3200 is mature technology, so you're buying capacity and compatibility rather than cutting-edge performance. The 9% discount is fairly small, but also as good as you will likely find right about now.

Check your motherboard's memory support before ordering, and don't assume you can combine this kit with existing RAM without potentially encountering compatibility or stability issues.

Also consider these 32GB DDR4 RAM kits

• Microsoft is eating humble pie over its unrealistic RAM recommendations
• It has deleted articles that pushed 32GB as an ideal or 'no-worries' loadout
• Apple is also feeling the heat in the RAM crisis, with rumors that it's struggling to secure an alternative source of memory supply from China

There are some fresh twists with the RAM crisis hitting some big tech companies, as Microsoft has backtracked on its previous memory recommendations, and even Apple is apparently finding it difficult to cope with the scarcity of memory.

Let's discuss Microsoft first, and as Windows Latest pointed out, the company has been busy backpedalling on previous memory recommendations now that the RAM crisis – which just keeps getting worse – has made those suggestions look foolish.

Microsoft previously had support documents in its Windows Learning Center which have now been removed, and Windows Latest highlights two of them. One was about optimizing your gaming PC, and it advised that "32GB is ideal for serious players who run the most demanding titles" (albeit the article also said 16GB was "plenty" for most games).

Another piece said that 32GB of RAM was the "no-worries zone", and that article was also quietly deleted as there was some backlash against this, given that it was published when the price of system memory had become ridiculous. (And buying a 32GB kit was very much a worry for your wallet).

The links to those articles now redirect to the home page of the Learning Center, and Microsoft is evidently trying to forget about pushing 32GB of RAM as an 'ideal' or 'worry-free' target for memory on your PC.

More broadly, since Copilot+ PCs were launched and the AI features for these devices made them require 16GB, Microsoft has obviously been keen to have that as a baseline memory configuration. Except now, a change of stance is necessary, as with the RAM crisis reaching alarming new heights, Microsoft has been forced to enact huge price hikes with its Surface devices.

And of course, the latest twist with that Surface hardware is that Microsoft has brought back 8GB models with last year's Surface Pro and Surface Laptop. Which makes it kind of difficult to push 16GB as a minimum, let alone make suggestions that 32GB is where it's really at for properly smooth performance.

The abandonment of these Learning Center articles is hardly surprising, then, and Microsoft is also addressing how speedily Windows 11 runs with 8GB of memory (not quickly enough currently). One of its promises with fixing the OS was better performance with a leaner RAM loadout, and Microsoft just made it clear that the company is now actively working to make Windows 11 run better with 8GB before the end of the year.

This has become a vital goal, really, when you consider that Apple has pulled off a commendable showing of performance with its MacBook Neo that packs 8GB of RAM. That was effectively a gauntlet thrown down for Microsoft – something of a declaration that macOS is coming to try to take Windows 11's market share – and one that the Windows maker had to respond to (which became clear enough when Microsoft went on the attack against the Neo).

Apple turnover: China play rumored to end in a fumble

Speaking of Apple, Microsoft isn't the only tech giant being buffeted by the rising costs caused by the RAM storm. While it has had a big success with the Neo, the challenge for Tim Cook's firm – soon to be John Ternus's, of course – is to maintain that momentum, and by all accounts, that's proving a tricky task.

Recent Mac price hikes have caused a good deal of pain – taking some of the wind out of the good ship Neo's sails – and Apple is trying to secure its RAM supply lines for the future, with rumors abounding that it's turning to Chinese chip makers to find extra production capacity.

The latest speculation, however, is that according to a report from Digital Daily (a Korean tech site, via Wccftech), Apple has floundered in negotiations with Chinese memory giant CXMT.

Apparently CXMT has strong enough domestic demand that it doesn't have to offer more attractive pricing to Apple. Essentially, CXMT is holding the line and has "insisted on prices that were higher or similar to those offered by Samsung or SK Hynix" (bear in mind there may be nuances lost with the translation of the article).

You get the message, though: Apple is failing to obtain better deals on mobile DRAM, which includes LPDDR5X, for its iPhones (and that RAM is also used in its MacBooks, of course). And CXMT was supposed to be an escape route from the difficulties of getting enough RAM inventory from Samsung and SK Hynix (and also Micron, a key supplier for Apple), but it seems like a dead-end for now.

At least if this report is correct, but analyst Tim Culpan has also written a short post which backs up the notion that Apple is in trouble here. Culpan writes: "Apple and its suppliers are scrambling to get enough memory chips for its upcoming release of new iPhone models."

'Scrambling' is a word that evokes quite a sense of panic, and indeed with the iPhone 18 models – and the foldable offering – not much more than a month away from launch now (in theory), I'd bet there are some heated words flying here and there. Culpan notes: "Assemblers are working with Apple to rush shipments of DRAM used in mobile devices."

That report is specifically about smartphones, mind, but this same situation applies to mobile RAM that's also used in MacBooks.

The overall theme is more RAM misery all round, which is hardly a surprise given all the negative news we've been hearing on the grapevine of late. GPU pricing has been the latest round of doom and gloom over the past week or two, and I don't think the pessimistic news is going to stop flowing for the foreseeable.

It's not bad news for everyone, though. A source in the semiconductor industry told Digital Daily that: "With the general-purpose DRAM floor remaining unbroken and Samsung and SK Hynix monopolizing the lead in high-value AI memory such as HBM4, the operating profit margins and global market control of the domestic semiconductor sector are expected to rise even more steeply in the second half of the year."

So, it's a familiar story: profits will be on the up and up for memory makers, while consumers will be suffering the pain of the hikes. Apple's purported rush for RAM supplies as the clock runs down on the iPhone launch window is a particularly worrying sounding story, one that doesn't bode well in terms of avoiding more Mac (and iPhone) price rises in the future. Neither can we rule out more Surface price rises, or other laptops for that matter.

With memory prices spiking, I've been keeping a close eye on one of our top-tested recommendations - the Corsair Vengeance RGB. I recently highlighted Corsair's CL28 DDR5 kit. Now, I've found an even more stylish option for the same price that doesn't sacrifice performance.

Right now, the 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Cherry Blossom DDR5-6000 has dropped to $450 (was $648) at Newegg with the code BTSF3663.

Notably, this eye-catching RAM features tight CL30-36-36-76 timings. On top of that, the two 16GB DDR5-6000 modules also supports both AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0. In the UK, the black version of this CL30 Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit is down to £449 (was £535) at Amazon.

Why we recommend it

The design make this a kit for anyone deliberately building a distinctive PC rather than treating the RAM as something to hide away. The white modules and floral styling offer something very different and will look great if you're putting together a PC where the components can be seen.

It's not all style and no substance though. You get 6000MT/s speeds combined with CL30 latency and tight 30-36-36-76 timings. Corsair also provides onboard voltage regulation and individually addressable RGB lighting that can be controlled through iCUE.

Intel XMP 3.0 and AMD EXPO support are particularly handy, giving owners of compatible platforms straightforward access to the memory's performance profile.

Price context & historical value

The 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Cherry Blossom DDR5-6000 kit was $647.99 and is currently listed at $599.99 at Newegg, but adding it to your basket and applying promo code BTSF2945 brings the the final price down to a much more affordable $469.99.

That means you're ultimately paying $178 less that you would have, a reduction of around 27%. With DDR5 prices still extremely high, getting that much knocked off a very fast CL30 kit is a genuine deal.

For more savings, we track the week's best RAM deals. If you're optimizing your setup for performance, pair it with this Samsung 9100 Pro SSD deal we uncovered.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Corsair Vengeance RGB Cherry Blossom DDR5 RAM if...

You want fast DDR5 memory that's also going to be a visible part of your PC build. DDR5-6000 with CL30 timings offers a great combination of frequency and latency, and the Cherry Blossom design and RGB lighting give the modules considerably more personality.

Support for both AMD EXPO and Intel XMP 3.0 also makes the kit suitable for a broad range of compatible systems. Rather than manually configuring the memory, you can use the appropriate performance profile to reach its rated settings on supported hardware.

❌ Skip the Corsair Vengeance RGB Cherry Blossom DDR5 RAM if...

You don't care what your memory looks like or have a PC case without a window. The Custom Lab design and ten-zone RGB lighting are part of what you're paying for, so there are more sensible options if the modules are going to disappear inside a closed chassis.

It's also DDR5, so anyone upgrading an existing DDR4 system can't simply swap these modules in. Your motherboard needs DDR5 support, and be sure to check yours does before ordering.

The Catch: What to know before you buy

You must use promo code BTSF2945 to get the full saving. Without it, you'll pay Newegg's $599.99 advertised deal price.

Even after the discount, $469.99 remains a lot of money for 32GB of memory. You're paying for the combination of DDR5-6000 performance, CL30 timings, RGB lighting, and the Custom Lab Cherry Blossom design. Buyers interested purely in capacity should look for a less elaborate kit.

Also consider

• Samsung tells analysts global memory supply shortage will persist through 2028 and grow more severe in 2027 than in 2026
• This while posting its third consecutive record quarter: ₩171.5 trillion in revenue, ₩89.5 trillion in operating profit, and a 52% operating margin
• Samsung is locking 60 to 70% of capacity into five-year supply agreements with price floors

Samsung has told analysts it believes the memory shortage now squeezing everything from server racks to gaming PCs is unlikely to ease before 2028, and that conditions will get worse before they get better.

Speaking on its Q2 2026 earnings call, the world's largest DRAM manufacturer now expects supply constraints to be more severe in 2027 than they are in 2026.

The company said this while reporting the most profitable quarter in its history, with ₩171.5 trillion in revenue, ₩89.5 trillion in operating profit, and a 52% operating margin, all of which indicated healthy demand for its DRAM despite price hikes across the board.

An AI-centric problem that is not going away soon

As voracious demand for memory and storage from AI hyperscalers continues, Samsung is a key beneficiary of a shortage it expects to last for years, driven by long lead times and the capital intensity of adding capacity.

The argument Samsung made on its earnings call was arithmetic rather than speculative. B

uilding a new fab and getting it to wafer production takes more than three years, so the industry-wide capital expenditure increases now underway cannot translate into meaningful output within the forecast window. Unmet demand from this year rolls into next year, tightening things further.

Independent forecasting broadly agrees. TrendForce expects NAND supply to ease in the second half of 2027 as new capacity and higher-layer products arrive, but sees DRAM differently: several suppliers plan new lines for 2027, and construction, equipment installation and qualification will push meaningful ramp-up into the second half of that year, meaning substantial extra output does not arrive until 2028.

Samsung's own shipment figures show how tight things already are. DRAM bit shipments rose by low-teens percentages quarter on quarter, exceeding its own guidance, while average selling prices climbed by around 45% for DRAM and close to 70% for NAND in a single quarter.

Hedging against potential downsides

Buried in the analyst Q&A is a structural change that will outlast any particular price curve. Samsung is converting the memory business from a spot market into a contracted one.

The company said it plans to allocate roughly 60 to 70% of total capacity to long-term supply agreements. These run on five-year terms subject to annual renegotiation, effectively rolling forward.

It has already finalized deals with the top five global data center customers and is in final talks with five more, with substantial advance payments written in as a contractual requirement; Samsung says it has received about a quarter of that total so far. For mainstream products, the agreements also carry minimum price floors, set at levels the company describes as sufficient to cover its future investment risk.

The consequences reach retail. Gartner has forecast that combined DRAM and SSD price increases will lift average PC prices by 17% and push global PC shipments down by more than 10%, the steepest contraction in over a decade.

Micron retired its consumer Crucial brand in February 2026 to concentrate on enterprise AI customers, which is the clearest possible statement of where the industry's priorities sit despite whatever it says publicly about wanting to help consumers.

For Samsung's memory division, none of this is a problem. The price floors it has written into a majority of its capacity insulate it from the downside of the boom-and-bust cycle that DRAM markets are notorious for, and its own device businesses are absorbing the cost: mobile and networks posted a combined operating loss of ₩0.7 trillion for the quarter, and the display and TV units both flagged memory costs eating into profitability.

A company earning a mammoth ₩89.5 trillion in operating profit, thanks to a 52% operating margin, however, has little reason to move quickly on any of it.

• Multiple US states are repealing or enacting moratoriums on sales tax exemptions for data centers
• Estimates on lost tax revenue are far below the billions of dollars some states have missed out on
• Ongoing data center constructions may not be subject, but costs are expected to increase for new or planned projects

In a blow to US firms trying to expand AI compute capacity by building more data centers, multiple states are now repealing tax exemptions for equipment costs.

According to exclusive The Information reporting, the estimated costs could rise by upwards of 7%, as the exemptions previously allowed data centers to be kitted out with equipment without having to pay sales tax.

But as soon as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine revealed that the lost tax revenue amounted to $1.6 billion, instead of the projected $136 million, other states have started following suit.

States repeal data center tax exemptions

Ohio repealed its tax exemptions for data centers in June 2026, and since July, Illinois and Arizona have both paused their own exemptions. Illinois’ program has been paused indefinitely, and Arizona has enacted a 3-year moratorium.

A further nine states are also considering halting their own exemptions, and a further 28 states have introduced bills to limit the effects of their own exemptions.

Per Avalra data, the sales tax in Ohio sits at almost 6%, with Illinois just over the same figure. These sales taxes will immediately increase the costs of new data center projects, but some projects already under way could be subject to indefinite exemptions.

Are data center costs already unsustainable?

The costs of data center construction have already been rising due to the sudden expansion in capacity. Electricity costs have skyrocketed as more data centers join grids without suitable additions in energy sources.

In an attempt to combat this, President Donald Trump has rolled back regulations on fossil-fuel burning power stations, with multiple data centers being built with on-site natural gas turbine electricity generation. This has caused a string of issues with local residents complaining of sickness caused by infra-sound, and deafening noise levels similar to that of an international airport.

Funding and incentives for renewable wind and solar sources have also been scrapped by Trump, which ironically are some of the cheapest energy sources in the US. This has compounded consumer electricity price rises, acting as a catalyst for data center opposition in the US. AI companies have been urged by the UN to disclose the full environmental damage of the technology.

Additionally, a study by Nikkei has found that numerous big tech firms looking to expand data center capacity have almost $1.65 trillion in ‘hidden’ debt, where contracts are signed between subsidiary companies and data center operators. This means the debt does not appear on the company’s balance sheet, and will only show up as annotations in quarterly financial statements.

This hidden debt at big tech companies has exploded eightfold in the last four years, alongside the visible balance sheet debt for big tech companies which stands at $1.35 trillion. Many businesses are still struggling to justify the ROI on adopting AI technologies, especially as token costs increase.

Sales exemptions are an attractive benefit for data center construction projects, and states that keep or enact sales exemptions will likely see an explosion in new project applications.

• The ongoing RAM crisis is projected to continue through 2028
• Samsung says memory shortages are expected to worsen in 2027
• Deloitte reports the big three RAM manufacturers are anticipated to have a combined capital expenditure that will nearly quadruple between 2024 and 2027

The RAM crisis isn't letting up, with shortages continuing to impact PC hardware manufacturers. Unfortunately, it looks like it may become the new normal.

As reported by TweakTown, Samsung says it expects ongoing memory shortages to worsen in 2027 and continue through 2028. This will directly impact consumers with increasingly high retail prices for RAM kits, game consoles, and pre-built PCs.

Samsung's memory chip executive vice president, Jaejune Kim, said to investors in the latest earnings call: "We believe it will be unlikely to see any increase in incremental supply through 2028. The supply constraints are expected to become even more severe in 2027."

Essentially, that means the price increases we've seen for Sony's PS5, Microsoft's Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and, frankly, next-generation consoles will likely face the same consequences of the price hike trend.

The same can be said for Valve's Steam Machine, where Valve previously stated the retail price isn't what it wanted, with suggestions of an initial $750 target. However, the RAM crisis effectively forced Valve's hand, where it couldn't subsidize the Steam Machine the same way it did with the Steam Deck.

Unfortunately, it's not just Samsung that forecasts the RAM crisis worsening. Gamesbeat highlights Deloitte's report, which anticipates an increase in the big three's (Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron) combined capital spending to nearly 340% from 2024 to 2027.

However, new supply from that increased spending isn't expected to arrive until 2029 or 2030, so the RAM crisis is seemingly only just getting started. It frankly means Samsung's estimation is rather optimistic, painting a smaller picture of just how bad the memory shortages are.

Manufacturers and consumers are perhaps now at a stage where the RAM crisis may be a new normal, completely shifting the PC hardware market into an unstable condition.

GPU prices have increased over the last few months, with Nvidia introducing older options via the RTX 3060, and AMD unveiling a new Radeon RX 9050 8GB GPU. Both cases are a strong indication that the market is in its worst state in decades, and there isn't much hope ahead as it stands.

• A recent report suggests Nvidia has informed its partners of GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory kit price increases
• This means retailers may increase the prices for RTX GPUs using GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory
• The potential price hike and one user's dual-GPU setup both highlight the importance of hardware preservation

The RAM crisis continues to impact PC manufacturers, with rising memory prices and shortages — ultimately leading to increased retail prices for consumers — and the trend may be set to continue with Nvidia.

According to a report on Benchlife, Nvidia is rumored to be planning an increase for prices of its GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory kits for RTX GPUs, and has informed AIB (Add-In Board) partners such as Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte, who make their own versions of Nvidia's GPUs. Unsurprisingly, the price increase for these memory kits is cited as a result of the ongoing RAM crisis.

While RTX GPU price hikes aren't guaranteed for consumers, because this will directly impact AIB partners who manufacture the GPUs, eventual retailer price increases are unfortunately likely. It's a trend we've seen with recent PC hardware.

Notably, Valve's Steam Machine was initially supposed to cost less than its eventual $1,049 / £879 / AU$1,609 price tag, which could now also be at risk of a price increase, based on hints from a Steam Machine engineer (as reported by Bloomberg). New handheld gaming PCs are also now often launching for more than $1,000, and the price of RAM and storage certainly plays a part.

Consumer struggles

The RAM crisis is a sad state of affairs for consumers and underlines the importance of PC hardware preservation. GPUs aren't cheap by any means, especially with recent suggestions that AMD would also be increasing prices of memory kits for its own AIB partners.

We've also recently seen the return of the RTX 3060, due to Nvidia's attempt to help consumers with more options amid a rough PC hardware market. However, if these price hike reports are legitimate, the RTX 3060 will likely be subject to higher prices at retailers.

That's exactly why GPU setups like one Reddit user's RTX 3090 and RTX 3050 dual-GPU rig matter now more than ever. In this case, the RTX 3050 is responsible for allowing frame generation via Lossless Scaling to function.

A game then utilizes the RTX 3090's power for high-quality visuals and performance, with the two GPUs teaming up. The user states it resulted in 144fps at a 4K resolution over the initial 71fps without frame generation.

Frankly, a dual-GPU setup isn't exactly common, nor is it actually recommended for gaming, since modern games are only designed for single-GPU rendering (even though the frame generation use case is noteworthy).

Users would also need a beefier power supply, depending on the GPUs used, and likely a new motherboard with another compatible PCIe lane.

However, what I feel is more important here is that's it's a great example of why hardware preservation is so important, serving as backup in case GPUs melt or end up faulty, or for experiments like the one I've outlined above. With no end of the RAM crisis in sight, repurposing older hardware might be one way through this.