I Want to Upgrade My PC but RAM Prices Are Too High. What Should I Do during the 2025 RAM-pocalypse?
RAM prices have surged throughout 2024 and 2025, and things are still getting more expensive. Both DDR4 and DDR5 have seen sharp increases, but DDR5 is being hit the hardest. Part of the reason is the global boom in AI data centers. Another major shift is happening as well. Micron has officially retired its Crucial brand, one of the most recognisable consumer memory labels on the market. This has created uncertainty in the consumer RAM space and added more pressure to an already strained supply chain.
If you wanted to upgrade your gaming PC this year, memory is suddenly the most painful part of the build. So what should you do? Should you wait? Upgrade something else? Buy the bare minimum?
This guide gives clear recommendations for gamers, creators and everyday PC users navigating a very expensive RAM market.
Why Are RAM Prices So High Right Now?
Several major factors have collided at the same time.
1. AI-driven production shift
Factories owned by Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix are dedicating huge amounts of capacity to enterprise memory—HBM, DDR5 ECC and specialised AI modules. Consumer RAM now gets a much smaller slice of the manufacturing output.
2. Micron is retiring the Crucial brand
Crucial has been one of the largest and most influential consumer RAM and SSD brands for decades. Its retirement means:
- Reduced volume of consumer-focused memory
- Short-term supply disruption
- Price uncertainty as resellers clear stock
- Fewer budget-friendly DDR4 and DDR5 kits
When one of the “big three” manufacturers exits the consumer retail space, the effect cascades quickly. For buyers, this means fewer low-cost kits and reduced competition at the entry level.
3. DDR4 supply is shrinking
Most factories have already moved production lines over to DDR5. When demand spikes (like now), DDR4 can increase in price even faster because there simply isn’t much being made anymore.
4. DDR5 yields still bottleneck production
DDR5 production is improving, but not fast enough to match global demand—especially while server and AI markets are consuming record amounts.
If You Already Have DDR4
This is where many buyers are stuck. DDR5 is expensive, and DDR4 is starting to creep up too.
Option 1: Stay on DDR4 for another cycle
DDR4 is still completely fine for gaming, especially at 1080p and 1440p. Many AM4 and older Intel systems still perform brilliantly with a better GPU.
Choose this if:
- Your system is still responsive
- You play esports or mainstream AAA games
- You want the cheapest path forward
Option 2: Buy DDR4 now before stock tightens
With Crucial exiting and factories scaling back DDR4, prices are likely to get worse, not better.
Buy now if:
- You want to max out an AM4 build
- You need more memory for modern games
- You want to avoid inflated prices later in 2025
Option 3: Only jump to DDR5 if you are doing a full rebuild
And if you do, a 5600 or 6000 MHz kit is absolutely fine—no need for the ultra-expensive high-frequency modules.
If You Already Have DDR5
Higher prices hurt, but you're in a better spot.
Option 1: Keep what you have
If you already own 16–32 GB of DDR5, you might not need anything else for years.
Option 2: Upgrade only if your work demands it
For creators, AI users, video editors and 3D artists, buying more RAM—even at high prices—may still be worthwhile.
Option 3: Avoid mixing kits
DDR5 is picky. Use identical models if you’re expanding.
What Gamers Should Do Right Now
1080p / 1440p gamers
Stick with DDR4 unless you're already planning a platform upgrade. Spend your budget on a better GPU instead.
4K gamers
On new systems, pick a modest DDR5 kit—don’t overspend on premium RAM.
Competitive players
RAM speed matters far less than GPU and CPU. Even DDR4 3600 C16 is perfectly fine.
What Content Creators Should Do
Creators feel RAM prices the most. If the cost is painful:
- Buy only the amount you need right now
- Avoid DDR5 showpiece kits
- Upgrade storage or CPU first if you can hold off on RAM
- Consider a second-hand DDR4 workstation build if your workloads aren’t tied to AM5 or 14th-gen Intel
Creators should aim for:
- 32 GB for 1080p editing
- 64 GB for 4K
- 96 GB+ for 3D work, Unreal Engine, Blender or local AI models
Should You Wait for Prices to Drop?
You can, but there are trade-offs.
Prices are unlikely to drop soon
AI memory demand is still exploding. Crucial’s retirement further reduces consumer supply.
If your PC still works fine, waiting is smart
You might save £30–£70 in the long term.
If your system is sluggish, waiting may not be realistic
Focus on upgrades that actually move the needle.
Ways to Upgrade Without Buying RAM
Many gamers forget how much performance can be gained without touching memory.
1. Upgrade your GPU
The most cost-effective performance uplift in gaming.
2. Move to a larger or faster NVMe SSD
Especially helpful for UE5 titles and large game libraries.
3. Improve cooling
Better temps = better CPU boost behaviour.
4. Do a clean Windows install or fresh SSD
Old OS clutter can hurt performance more than people realise.
5. Enable XMP or EXPO
Many PCs run RAM at base speed simply because the profile isn't turned on.
Final Recommendations
If you have DDR4
Stay with it unless you’re doing a full system rebuild.
If you have DDR5
Stick with your current kit unless you have genuine workloads that demand more.
If you want to upgrade now but RAM prices are too high
Spend your money on the GPU, SSD, CPU or cooling—these upgrades bring real performance without overpaying for memory.
If you're planning to switch platforms
Buy a sensible DDR5 kit, not a flagship model.
With RAM prices inflated by industry shifts, AI demand and Crucial leaving the consumer market, upgrading smartly—and strategically—is more important than ever.
Tarl @ Gamertech