This week G.SKILL issued a brief statement explaining why DRAM memory prices, particularly for DDR5 kits, have risen sharply since the fourth quarter of 2025. According to the company, the increases are the result of severe, industry-wide supply constraints combined with unprecedented demand from the rapidly expanding AI sector.
The memory manufacturer says the global DRAM market is currently experiencing significant volatility, with shortages affecting the entire supply chain. High-volume demand for memory from AI data centres and related infrastructure has placed additional pressure on available supply, driving costs higher across the industry.
As a result, G.SKILL confirms that its own procurement and sourcing costs have increased substantially. The company notes that its pricing reflects higher DRAM IC costs from upstream suppliers and remains subject to change depending on market conditions. Buyers are advised to be mindful of current pricing when making purchasing decisions.
G.SKILL’s comments align closely with wider trends playing out across the memory industry. The ongoing AI boom has pushed memory manufacturers to prioritise enterprise-grade products such as High Bandwidth Memory (HBM), often at the expense of consumer DRAM, contributing to tighter supply and higher prices. This shift has already had visible consequences. Micron, one of the world’s three largest memory-chip manufacturers alongside Samsung and SK hynix, recently announced its decision to exit the Crucial consumer business, citing surging AI-driven demand from data centres.
The knock-on effects are now being felt beyond the enthusiast PC market. Smartphone manufacturers are apparently preparing to cut memory configurations in 2026 devices to offset rising costs, while PC makers have begun warning of potential price increases as DRAM takes up a growing share of system costs.
Against this backdrop of sustained shortages and rising costs, G.SKILL’s statement offers little new insight. Notably absent is any indication of when pricing might stabilise or begin to ease. G.SKILL does not outline a timeline for potential relief, nor does it comment on whether it has secured sufficient DRAM supply for the months ahead. The company also stops short of clarifying how much control it has over final retail pricing, particularly during periods of shortage when reseller mark-ups can fluctuate significantly.
For now, consumers and system builders are left with little guidance on when, or if, DDR5 memory prices will return to more favourable levels. You can find the statement here on G.SKILL"s official site.