723
RAM is so expensive that stores are selling it at market prices (www.pcworld.com)
submitted 10 months ago by to c/technology@lemmy.world
224 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Generative “AI” data centers are gobbling up trillions of dollars in capital, not to mention heating up the planet like a microwave. As a result there’s a capacity crunch on memory production, shooting the prices for RAM sky high, over 100 percent in the last few months alone. Multiple stores are tired of adjusting the prices day to day, and won’t even display them. You find out how much it costs at checkout.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] 54 points 10 months ago (7 children)

If you want to see a good set of graphs on pricing over time, PC Parts Picker does some good ones. It's absolutely INSANE how bad it's getting. The graphs in question.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 7 child comments
    •
  • [–] 16 points 10 months ago (4 children)

    I was like DDR4 doesn't count

    One well-documented memory industry trend that is behind the price increases seen is said to be makers shutting down their DDR4 production in favor of DDR5 and other more profitable lines. In February, we noted that the likes of Micron, Samsung, and SK hynix were being rudely elbowed out of the DDR4 market by Chinese players (such as CXMT and Fujian Jinhua) ruthlessly undercutting them in this segment.

    Samsung was seen to flinch in late April, as reports circulated that the South Korean technology and manufacturing giant had scheduled to cease DDR4 production in early June.

    Now there are indications that oversupply from Chinese ‘dumping’ is at an end, as CXMT has been instructed by the Chinese government to abandon DDR4 manufacturing. Thus, the reported spikes in DDR4 pricing in recent weeks may stem from a perfect storm of the above supply-side factors all exerting an effect over a relatively short period of time.

    https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ddr4-prices-continue-surge-reportedly-122337204.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall

    But still ouch :)

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 4 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago* (2 children)

    Oh no.
    So even if I manage to somehow get DDR4 for lower prices, I can't expect the SK Hynix modules.

    Guess it's going to be a few more years before I can get a RAM upgrade, or maybe never at all.
    It might end up being similar to how DDR3 ended up being more expensive than DDR4 for multiple years.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 2 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    I mean since it's driven by demand from companies running AI models it's mostly impacting higher speed modules with lower speed/capacity kits being less significantly impacted. Granted that's also pushing demand up for those lower speed kits since for gamers quantity matters far more than speed, meanwhile AI really cares about speed most

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago

    I am going by mainly 2 points:

    • DDR4 being dropped in favour of DDR5
      • What if the places with high quality output end up just staying on DDR5
    • DDR4 being taken by the cheaper manufacturers
      • Ever since seeing how well my old SK Hynix DDR2 has lasted, I have been kinda partial to it. paying $10 - 15 extra to get something that I won't have to replace for the device's lifetime (~20 years) makes sense to me
      • The new modules made by the cheaper ones might not end up being as good and reviews may be hard to find as most enthusiasts that do quality testing, tend to do so only when the tech is new (and now that is DDR5)
  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • [–] 2 points 10 months ago (1 child)

    Here's some that's significantly cheaper than the graph would suggest: https://www.amazon.com/G-SKILL-Trident-64GB-SDRAM-Memory/dp/B0BSB94VC2

    Not that it's a good price in general or anything, but if you absolutely must buy now...

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •