RAM on the Rise: Why DDR Has Become Gold in Russia

The computer hardware market at the end of 2025 is experiencing a real shock. Until recently, RAM was considered one of the most affordable components when building a PC, but now the situation has changed drastically. Prices for DDR4 and especially DDR5 have risen sharply — within a few weeks, costs have more than doubled. A 32GB RAM kit, which could be bought for 16–18 thousand rubles in spring, now costs over 40 thousand. Why has RAM literally "broken away" and become the new digital gold — let’s analyze in detail.

RAM more expensive than graphics cards: what’s happening in the market

Within just a month, the market has faced an abnormal price surge. According to global platforms and Russian retailers, the cost of DDR5 modules has increased by 150–250%.

For example:

T-Force DDR5 32GB — from $97 to $340 (+250%)
Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB — from $240 to $840 (+250%)

Such dynamics resemble the behavior of commodity markets more than the computer hardware segment. Some stores have already started setting "market" prices — a term previously associated only with seafood, but not with memory.

Why RAM prices have risen: main reasons

1. Explosive demand growth due to artificial intelligence

The main reason is the global boom in AI infrastructure. Major companies like NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and Chinese giants are building next-generation data centers where RAM has become a critical resource. Modern AI servers require terabytes of RAM, and DRAM chips (on which DDR4/DDR5 are based) are the same as those used in regular desktop PCs.

Manufacturers are reallocating production capacity to the server segment because corporations are willing to pay much more than private consumers. As a result, shortages appear on the consumer market.

2. Production constraints and artificial shortage

The largest memory producers — Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron — reduced production volumes earlier this year to compensate for the price drops in 2023. But unexpectedly, demand surged so sharply that factories simply cannot restore previous output levels.

Also, the DDR5 manufacturing process is much more complex than DDR4: higher requirements for silicon quality, soldering accuracy, and testing. All this makes module production expensive and slow.

Analysts note that manufacturers are deliberately slow to expand production to keep prices high and compensate for losses from previous years.

3. Currency exchange rates and parallel imports

For the Russian market, there is an additional factor — the weakening ruble and complicated logistics. After most major brands left, memory supplies come through parallel channels, increasing costs by 15–25%. Add to this the rising dollar and yuan — and you get another round of price increases.

In essence, RAM in Russia today costs more than in the USA or Asia due to logistics markups and currency risks.

4. Technological transition to DDR5

The world is moving to the new DDR5 standard, which also affects prices. DDR4 is gradually being phased out, but still remains a mass standard. Manufacturers focus on DDR5 production, so the shortage of older modules only grows.

DDR5 promises higher bandwidth and energy efficiency, but in practice, buyers still have to pay for the novelty. Those building PCs on modern Intel and AMD processors have to buy DDR5 — there are no alternatives.

Prices in Russia: RAM more expensive than SSDs and processors

The situation in the Russian market looks dramatic. As of December 2025:

DDR4 16GB (3200–3600 MHz) — from 8,000 to 10,000 rubles
DDR5 32GB (5600–6400 MHz) — from 35,000 to 45,000 rubles
DDR5 64GB (2×32) — from 70,000 rubles and up

Thus, a 32GB DDR5 kit costs more than an average RTX 4060 graphics card, and 64GB of memory is comparable in price to a gaming console.

And this despite the fact that the actual production costs of DRAM have not increased proportionally — the price surge is mainly due to market imbalance.

What experts say: “the market has gone into manual mode”

According to analysts from TrendForce and IC Insights, the memory market has entered "manual mode." Manufacturers regulate supply like oil companies, adjusting volumes according to current demand. This behavior allows them to maintain record-high prices and compensate for losses from past years when DDR4 was very cheap.

Experts believe that prices will continue to rise in the coming months, though growth rates may slow down. Even if server memory demand decreases somewhat, factories will need time to restore balance between corporate and consumer segments.

Should you buy RAM now?

Buyers are divided into two camps. Some rush to purchase modules "before they get even more expensive," others wait for price stabilization. The decision depends on your needs.

You should buy if:

you are building a new PC with DDR5 and cannot postpone the upgrade;
your system struggles with tasks like editing, 3D rendering, streaming, or 4K gaming;
your old RAM module is failing (data loss, crashes).

It's better to wait if:

you have a stable DDR4 build and the upgrade is not critical;
you expect prices to drop by mid-2026;
you plan to switch to a new platform but are not ready to spend 40 thousand rubles on 32GB.

How to save money despite the price hike

Despite DDR’s “golden” status, there are ways to avoid overpaying:

Monitor marketplace promotions. RAM sometimes appears on sales on Ozon, DNS, and Citilink.
Buy kits. Two sticks in a set are cheaper than buying separately.
Check the secondary market. DDR4 can still be found in good condition, but check for stability.
Choose models without RGB lighting. They cost 10–15% less with the same performance.
Pick optimal frequencies. The difference between 5600 and 6400 MHz is minimal in real use, but the price difference is noticeable.

Forecast: how much will DDR cost in 2026

Experts estimate that stabilization is unlikely before Q2 2026, when manufacturers increase DRAM production. DDR5 will remain expensive, but the pace of price growth will slow. The average cost of 32GB may return to the range of 25–30 thousand rubles.

However, if global AI and data center demand continues to grow, RAM will firmly establish itself as the "new gold" of the IT market.

Conclusion: RAM as an indicator of the digital era

RAM has always been an unnoticed but vital computer component. Today it has become a symbol of the new technological reality where data is the main capital, and processing speed is a strategic resource.

The rise in DDR prices shows that even ordinary users now feel the impact of global processes — from investments in AI to geopolitics.

And if graphics cards were once considered gold, now RAM has “broken away.” DDR has become not just a component but an indicator of how much the digital world depends on memory — literally and figuratively.