AI demand pushes 4TB DDR5 RAM prices to Porsche and Range Rover levels

[DragonSlayer101]

WTF?! DRAM prices have seen a steep rise in recent months, primarily driven by surging demand for high-bandwidth memory from AI data centers. The situation has gotten so bad that some high-end server memory kits now cost more than luxury SUVs and sports cars.

Nemix, an American company supplying memory and storage devices to US government agencies and contractors, has listed a 4TB DDR5 PC5-51200 memory kit on its website for an eye-popping $77,000. The kit comprises 16 modules of 256 GB ECC RDIMMs running at 6400 MT/s with a CAS latency of 52.

The same memory modules are listed on Amazon in multiple configurations, starting at $99 for a single 64GB DIMM. At the high end, the 2TB kit is listed for a whopping $38,999. It includes eight 256GB modules with the exact same specifications as the 4TB and 64GB kits. Another 2TB kit, in 8 x 128GB configuration, is listed at $45,999.

For perspective, the insane prices for the memory kits are higher than what you'd pay for the Porsche 718 Cayman or the Range Rover Evoque, which start at around $75,000 and $49,000, respectively. Even the Defender 110 costs around $64,000 in the base trim before dealer-level discounts and incentives.

The Nemix memory kits cited above are designed for ultra-high-end servers, so they're probably not the best yardsticks to judge consumer RAM prices. However, according to the reliable Amazon price tracker CamelCamelCamel, the 2TB kit on Amazon was listed at $32,997.49 on November 30, meaning it surged around 20 percent in less than a month.

It is worth noting that the current crisis primarily affects DDR5 memory, with DDR4 modules still available at relatively more affordable prices. For example, a Nemix 2TB (8 x 256GB) DDR4 kit is listed for $13,468 on Amazon, while a single 256GB module is priced at $1,698.

The AI boom has driven DRAM prices to record highs this year, and with PC OEMs and system builders panic-buying memory, the trend is expected to continue well into 2027. According to a recent study by IDC, PC and smartphone prices could jump around 8 percent next year if the shortages continue.

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AI demand pushes 4TB DDR5 RAM prices to Porsche and Range Rover levels

 

[Megalomaniac]

I got my new PC on Black Friday. 5090, 64GB DDR5, 4TB SSD, 285K.

I immediately went to Microcenter and got another 4TB SSD specifically for my Steam games.

$199.

Just a week later, the price jumped to $399.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Anyone who actually needs 4TB of DDR5 RAM is most likely in an industry where they can afford these prices. 4TB is a whole lot of RAM.

 

[NicktheWVAHick]

Given the government’s track record for buying overpriced parts, this sounds like a great reason to raise my taxes even more.

 

[GeoffreyA]

Anyone who actually needs 4TB of DDR5 RAM is most likely in an industry where they can afford these prices. 4TB is a whole lot of RAM.

Yes. Few consumers would need more than 64 GB, and 4 TB is a 6,300% increase in quantity.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Whe I got my 256gb RAM upgrade for my Threadripper 7980x about a year ago, it cost less than $1500… I was looking at the 512g and 1TB kits and they were “insane” even then… I still have the original 64gb kit that came with my system - wonder how much I can get for it

 

[NumberNine]

The more I think about it, the more I realize that RAM isn't something I buy that often anyways. Maybe every 6-8 years.

 

[axiomatic13]

I have 96Gb of RAM in my PC with now. To get the timings I wanted, I had to go to two sticks of the newer 48Gb DDR5 sticks at CL 32, 6400 MT/s+.

 

[maxxcool7421]

HIGHLY SPECIALIZED RAM 99.99% OF CONSUMERS NEVER USE EXPENSIVE AF ... NEWS AT 11 :\

 

[yRaz]

Whe I got my 256gb RAM upgrade for my Threadripper 7980x about a year ago, it cost less than $1500… I was looking at the 512g and 1TB kits and they were “insane” even then… I still have the original 64gb kit that came with my system - wonder how much I can get for it

You're threadripper makes me rage. I upgraded my AM4 systems to 128GB last year for basically nothing compared to today's prices. I remember thinking it was a waste of money back then but now it seems like a sound financial decision. It's to the point where I upgraded them all to 5900Xs over Christmas. For the homelab stuff I do, 12.cores and 128GB of RAM is fine, but the lack of PCIe lanes and the 128GB limit is annoying. I'll have to take care of my Xeons next.

 

[p51d007]

Ahhhh the good ole days when Bill Gates said you would never need more than 640k of memory.

 

[scoffer]

Well, if this entails the AI techbros paying through the nose,then I'm all for it. The more those delusional retards borrow to finance themselves, the sooner they will start to crash and burn.....A GOOD thing.

 

[Squid Surprise]

You're threadripper makes me rage. I upgraded my AM4 systems to 128GB last year for basically nothing compared to today's prices. I remember thinking it was a waste of money back then but now it seems like a sound financial decision. It's to the point where I upgraded them all to 5900Xs over Christmas. For the homelab stuff I do, 12.cores and 128GB of RAM is fine, but the lack of PCIe lanes and the 128GB limit is annoying. I'll have to take care of my Xeons next.

Wondering if the new Xeons can compete with Threadripper performance… I’d like another box for multimedia and Intel used to be best at that…