DDR5 RAM Shortage: Complete Review of Price Surge in 2025 and Outlook for 2026

Since the fall of 2025, the price of DDR5 RAM has exploded. But to understand the real extent of this increase - and especially to avoid shortcuts - it is essential to rely on solid, comparable, and market-representative data. The analysis offered here is based on more than 1,100 DDR5 RAM references , followed over time, in order to measure the real evolution of prices before and after the shortage occurred.

The data covers:

• the main European markets (France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Italy),
• the United Kingdom,
• the United States,
• and Australia.

The prices come from a wide range of specialized resellers, large retailers, and marketplaces, in order to best reflect the reality of the consumer market , and not the isolated behavior of a single actor. The exhaustive list at the end of the section.

Finally, a particular focus is placed on the kits DDR5 32 GB (2x16 GB) , which today represent the most sought-after format by gamers and demanding users.

In order to objectively compare markets, prices are brought back to a common basis: September 2025 = index 1.0, just before the shortage began.

Finally, we have sought to exclude as many so-called "scam" offers as possible that have multiplied in recent weeks. Indeed, many very attractive offers have been identified recently with the aim of scamming buyers. These distort the studies and therefore we have manually removed as many of them as possible but some may have passed through our filter.

Before going into the details of the curves, here is an overview of the price multipliers by country, ranked from highest to lowest.

Was used to make these graphics the set of DDR5 RAM for each country only in kit of 2 x (16Gb, 32Gb, 64Gb). All RAMs were brought to the same scale by taking a price benchmark in September 2025 (before shortage). This method allows to compare different markets without bias of currency, VAT or product configuration.

First observation: despite currencies, taxes, and very different markets, all countries converge towards a multiplication by ~3.3 to ~3.7 of the DDR5 price in just a few months. This is a sign of a structural shock, not just a local effect.

Evolution of the price of DDR5 RAM over time (United States, United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia)

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Until early October 2025, prices evolve almost flat, around x1. The breaking point is clear: the shortage starts simultaneously in all areas.

• The United States quickly takes the lead , with the highest multiplier ( x3.69 ).
• The UK and Europe are following a very similar trajectory , with a slight delay but rapid convergence.
• Australia remains in the background , but still undergoes a massive increase.

Evolution of the price of DDR5 RAM over time focus Europe.

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What we observe

• The curves are extremely close , almost superimposed.
• Spain, Belgium, and France are located slightly above .
• Germany remains at the bottom of the European ranking, but the gap remains limited.
• Italy is located in the middle , with a very smooth dynamic.

Evolution of the price of DDR5 RAM over time in all countries.

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All curves follow the same time dynamics:

• stagnation,
• sudden take-off,
• high plateau with volatility.

First essential observation: despite very different currencies, taxes, and market structures, all the countries analyzed are converging towards a DDR5 price increase ranging from x3.3 to x3.7 in just a few months. This type of movement is not compatible with a simple local imbalance or isolated speculation: this is clearly a global structural shock.

Until early October 2025, DDR5 prices evolve relatively steadily, with limited variations around index x1. Then, a very sharp turning point appears simultaneously in all observed geographical areas.

From this moment:

• the United States quickly take the lead in the rise , with the highest multiplier,
• the United Kingdom and Europe are following an extremely close trajectory , with a slight time lag but rapid convergence,
• Australia remains in the background in terms of multiplier, while still experiencing a massive increase.

The almost perfect synchronization of the increases confirms that the origin of the shock is not regional, but rather linked to global DRAM production and allocation.

The focus on European countries highlights a key point: the curves are extremely close, sometimes almost superimposed.

However, some nuances are observed:

• Spain, Belgium, and France are slightly above average ,
• Germany consistently remains at the bottom from the European ranking,
• Italy adopts an intermediate, very regular trajectory.

These differences remain limited, which shows that the euro area operates here as a single market under tension, much more than as a sum of independent national markets. In this context, the observed price differences are not related to the exchange rate, but mainly:

• to distribution policies ,
• to applied margins by resellers,
• and to the local voltage on available stocks.

When comparing all countries on the same scale, a very clear pattern emerges. All curves follow the same temporal sequence:

1. Stagnation extended before the shortage
2. Takeoff brutal over a very short period
3. Top plate , accompanied by strong volatility depending on stocks and references

The gaps between countries exist, but they remain within a narrow range. No market truly escapes the rise. Even countries known to be more competitive or historically better supplied have not managed to cushion the blow.

The DDR5 32GB kits (2×16GB) are currently the most sought-after format in the consumer market. They represent the sweet spot for modern gaming , multitasking and mid/high-end configurations.

As expected, they are also the first to bear the brunt of the shortage The graphs below allow for a detailed analysis of price evolution according to frequency and latency profiles, separately for Europe and the United States.

Evolution of the price of RAM 2x16Gb DDR5 over time focus Europe.

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On the European market, the first striking element is the overall coherence of the curves Until the end of September 2025, all profiles evolve within a relatively narrow range , around 150 to 200 € depending on the specifications. The change in speed is very clear early October 2025 , with a rapid and almost simultaneous increase in all profiles.

What European curves show

• The profiles 6000MHz (CL30, CL36, CL28), historically the most popular, are among the first to take off strongly .
• The kits 6800MHz CL34 and 8000 CL30 undergo the most violent increases, with prices quickly exceeding €600 .
• On the contrary, some more "niche" profiles like the 7000 CL34 display a more moderate increase , although still significant.

From mid-December 2025, the curves enter a high plateau phase, with:

• frequent variations,
• crossings between profiles,
• and a strong dependence on available stocks.

In Europe, the shortage does not make a clear distinction between profiles: all are affected, but the most requested references concentrate the strongest pressure.

Evolution of the price of RAM 2x16Gb DDR5 over time focus United States.

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The American market presents a slightly different dynamic. If the general trajectory remains comparable (stagnation → takeoff → plateau), the magnitude of the movements is greater, and some curves become significantly more unstable.

What American curves show

• Several profiles display very steep peaks , especially at high frequencies (7600, 8000Hz).
• The 8000 CL30 stands out with a spectacular surge , with a multiplier significantly higher than other profiles.
• On the contrary, 7000 CL34 remains surprisingly more stable , with a much more moderate increase than the rest of the market.

The plateau phase, starting from December 2025, is marked by:

• a high volatility ,
• significant price differences between profiles,
• and frequent adjustments, often related to punctual arrivals.

In the United States, the market seems more responsive but also more unstable, with rapid variations as soon as a profile becomes temporarily rare or, on the contrary, briefly available.

By comparing the two graphs, several lessons emerge.

On both sides of the Atlantic, the most sought-after profiles are identical:

• 6000 CL30 / CL36 (balance performance / compatibility),
• 8000 CL30 (technological showcase and overclocking).

This concentration of demand explains why these references are systematically the most expensive and the most volatile.

Some kits, such as the 7000 CL34, show a more moderate increase both in Europe and in the United States.

This is probably due to:

• a request weaker ,
• a more regular production,
• or a initial positioning already high , limiting the catch-up effect.

The shortage does not strike "at random": it targets primarily mass-market profiles and those with high perceived value.

Compared to Europe, the US market shows:

• of faster pictures ,
• more frequent corrections,
• and increased sensitivity to stock variations.

This suggests a more flexible market, but also more exposed to instant tensions, where Europe evolves in a smoother and more gradual way.

The most important element remains the common dynamic:

• no profile really escapes the rise ,
• even the less popular kits are seen their prices sustainably reassessed ,
• the plateaus reached by the end of 2025 become new reference levels .

DDR5 2×16 Gb is no longer a "premium segment occasionally expensive," but a structurally stressed product, regardless of the chosen profile.

After the price explosion observed at the end of 2025, one question systematically returns: can DDR5 really decrease in 2026? The signals available at this stage rather invite caution.

Two recent elements summarize well the state of the market:

• Critical announced a refocusing of its activities, gradually reducing its presence in the consumer segment. Result: less dedicated offer to individuals, in an already tense market.

• ASUS publicly acknowledged the impact of the shortage on its activities. The rumors around an entry into memory manufacturing have mainly highlighted one thing: the shortage is perceived as lasting, including by major hardware players.

These ads do not create scarcity, but they confirm that it is structural, and not temporary.

In parallel, the demand for DRAM memory does not slow down:

• rise of AI and server infrastructures,
• generalization of 32 GB configurations on consumer PC,
• progressive renewal from platforms to DDR5.

In light of price data, industry announcements, and curve behavior, the reading is quite clear.

• Beginning and middle of 2026 : prices should remain high, with some occasional drops related to arrivals or commercial operations, without questioning the overall level.
• End 2026: a partial relaxation is possible, but only if mass production actually increases, which is not yet visible.
• Most realistic scenario : a more straightforward market standardization appears more credible in 2027 in 2026.

In short, DDR5 has entered a phase where high prices are becoming the norm that may persist until 2027.

In a context of scarcity, the displayed price is no longer sufficient to judge if an offer is truly interesting. Between stock discrepancies, delivery times, and rapid price fluctuations, buying DDR5 in 2026 requires a more methodical approach.

For those who wish to focus exclusively on RAM, the site whereismyram.com was designed as a specialized tracker, fully dedicated to DDR5 RAM .

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The objective is simple: group all DDR5 offers on a single page, without unnecessary noise .

On WhereIsMyRAM, it is possible to:

• View price changes directly for each reference or each category;
• Consult prices in almost real time ;
• View the delivery times ;
• Consult the notes for third-party resellers on marketplaces;

In a tight market, this type of centralized view helps avoid two common pitfalls:

• pay too much a reference "by default",
• or pass by of an equivalent alternative, but less requested.

Even with a good price, several criteria remain essential:

• Who actually sells? Marketplace or direct seller: this influences reliability, after-sales service, and sometimes warranty.
• Delivery times: Some attractive offers hide very long, even uncertain delays.
• Price history: A high price may be "normal" in the current context, but a sudden peak deserves to be compared.

WhereIsMyRAM allows precisely to put these elements into perspective, without multiplying tabs. WhereIsMyRam relies directly on the DropReference database, to make sure to have all the best offers.

❓ By how much has the price of DDR5 RAM increased since the shortage?

Since the shortage started in the fall of 2025, the price of DDR5 has increased by +230% to +270% depending on the country, which corresponds to a price multiplied by 3.3 to 3.7 in just a few months. This increase is observed almost simultaneously on a global scale.

❓ Which countries have experienced the highest price increase?

The United States recorded the most significant increase, with an average price multiplied by x3.69, or about +269%.

In Europe, the most affected countries are Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and France, all around x3,5 (+250% to +260%).

❓ Have DDR5 32GB kits (2×16GB) increased more than others?

Yes. The 32GB DDR5 kits (2×16GB), which represent the most sought-after format, are among the most affected.

According to the profile (frequency / latency), the increases observed range from +160% to over +300% in Europe , and may exceed +400% on certain profiles in the United States , especially high frequencies.

❓ Why is the increase so rapid and widespread?

Because it is not a local phenomenon. The increase is related to:

• a global shortage of DRAM,
• a request in strong growth (servers, AI, more demanding PC configurations),
• and a prioritization of production towards the most profitable segments, to the detriment of the consumer market.

The synchronization of increases between countries confirms a structural shock, and not just a temporary imbalance.

❓ Can DDR5 RAM prices drop back in 2026?

One temporary drop remains possible , but a sustained drop in prices in 2026 seems unlikely The current data shows a high plateau, with prices stabilized at historically high levels. A more significant normalization seems more credible from 2027 , subject to a real rebalancing between supply and demand.

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