Laptop RAM adapters could help PC builders survive the memory crunch

[Daniel Sims]

Cutting corners: With memory prices soaring amid the AI boom, now is arguably the worst time to build a PC. Still, users with no other options may want to consider pairing laptop RAM with desktop motherboard adapters, which can be easier to find. While the workaround requires some tinkering, the performance trade-offs are minimal.

A recent Hardware Canucks video outlines the advantages and risks of using SO-DIMM memory in desktop systems. Paired with some careful bargain hunting, the approach could serve as a practical last resort for builders caught assembling a PC amid soaring RAM prices.

The surge in artificial intelligence infrastructure has driven a massive expansion of data centers, which consume vast amounts of DRAM and NAND, driving up prices. PCPartPicker notes that consumer memory prices have more than tripled over the past several months.

For example, dual 16GB DDR4-3600 memory kits that averaged under $100 just a few months ago now sell for nearly $250. The situation is even worse for DDR5, with average prices climbing from roughly $100 to almost $400. The surge has also boosted demand for older AMD CPUs that rely on DDR4, allowing buyers to avoid the higher cost of DDR5 memory.

Custom builders may want to avoid assembling new PCs in the current market if possible. Those who cannot wait could consider hunting for deals on prebuilt systems or memory bundled with other components.

However, SO-DIMM memory – typically used in laptops and mini PCs – offers another option for builders in a pinch. While laptop modules have not completely avoided AI-driven price hikes, they remain cheaper than desktop memory. Shopping on eBay or other used component markets can help offset the increase, and SO-DIMM-to-DIMM adapters, which allow laptop memory to work in desktop motherboards, usually cost between $15 and $30.

Hardware Canucks recommends that DDR5 buyers considering this approach look for modules rated at 4,800 MT/s, since higher speeds can cause instability when using adapters – particularly with AMD processors. The added connectors also increase module height by several millimeters, which could pose clearance issues in compact mini-ITX cases.

Fortunately, benchmarks from the YouTube channel suggest that performance losses in high-end gaming or productivity workloads from using SO-DIMM instead of standard DIMM RAM should remain in the single-digit percentage range. Hardware Canucks warns that this workaround is only a temporary solution, likening it to using a spare tire, but it remains uncertain when memory prices will normalize. Industry insiders estimate shortages could persist through 2026 or 2027.

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Laptop RAM adapters could help PC builders survive the memory crunch

 

[Win7user]

You're kidding me with this, right? These, are just talking points. You're, speaking about people who spend, $400 to $1,500 dollars on a cell phone! And, $80 to $150 a month to use them. People, who are up to their eyeballs in credit card debt, and new car debt! They, don't care about a few extra dollars for RAM. It's, laughable.

 

[DukeJukem]

You're kidding me with this, right? These, are just talking points. You're, speaking about people who spend, $400 to $1,500 dollars on a cell phone! And, $80 to $150 a month to use them. People, who are up to their eyeballs in credit card debt, and new car debt! They, don't care about a few extra dollars for RAM. It's, laughable.

I bet you made $13 an hour in the 70s at some union job while paying $30k for your house with no schooling. Just a guess.

 

[Win7user]

I bet you made $13 an hour in the 70s at some union job while paying $30k for your house with no schooling. Just a guess.

You're, close. I worked for Frito-Lay in 1978 and my starting hourly wage was $5.17 an hour. It, was a union job, no doubt. I worked an hour overtime every day, had to clean up after my shift. I, also, worked as a prep-cook 32 hours a week, for $3.65 an hour. I was working at least 75 hrs a week!! And, yes, I bought a house in 1982 for 65K. It, wasn't a great house, but it had a good roof.

It, doesn't really matter how much you make or how much things cost, it only matters that you get a paycheck every single week without fail. And, also what you do with your money. When I was 16 I saved enough money (at my job) for two years, to pay myself every week for a year, (if I lost my job) as though I was actually working.

It's not rocket science, it's called being an adult, and doing what you must do, to survive.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

You're kidding me with this, right? These, are just talking points. You're, speaking about people who spend, $400 to $1,500 dollars on a cell phone! And, $80 to $150 a month to use them. People, who are up to their eyeballs in credit card debt, and new car debt! They, don't care about a few extra dollars for RAM. It's, laughable.

People do care about extra money for RAM. The glut from 23 was not sustainable but current prices are price gouging, and we all know it.

RAM is just RAM. A cell phone, you are not just paying for memory, you are paying for the packaging, the cellular certifications, and most importantly, the now 8 years of software updates and security support these devices require to function.

If you're paying $80+ a month for a cell plan, you're not paying $1000 for a phone. That phone is included in that monthly payment. Unlimited plans are $50-60 these days, sometimes less. My plan is only $40 a month and includes tethering. And again, you're not just paying for access, but for the maintenance on the plethora of towers needed to maintain that signal. Apples and oranges.

Sure, people waste money on stupid things, but that doesnt mean the price of memory is acceptable. Memory makers lost money in 23 but were profitable, to the tune of several billion, in 24. The current prices are not required to run business or expand, they are pure gouging using AI as an excuse.

I bet you made $13 an hour in the 70s at some union job while paying $30k for your house with no schooling. Just a guess.

And I bet you forgot to include the 12+ hour work days, conditions that would make most young people cry, and how lucky you had to be to get one of those jobs, considering that the Boomers had a similar rate of lower class to middle class that gen Z has.

Just a guess. I mean, I'm a young millennial, I've consistently made $8-10k under the US average wage, and I have a paid off house in a good neighborhood, a paid off 2020 sport sedan, and a classic truck, along with a fully funded retirement plan. Most people seem to assume I make 6 figures.

But its always easier to resort to stereotyping with rose tinted glasses.

 

[Squid Surprise]

If you're paying $80+ a month for a cell plan, you're not paying $1000 for a phone. That phone is included in that monthly payment. Unlimited plans are $50-60 these days, sometimes less. My plan is only $40 a month and includes tethering. And again, you're not just paying for access, but for the maintenance on the plethora of towers needed to maintain that signal. Apples and oranges.

If you live in Canada, you’re probably paying closer to $100 per month for unlimited data - which isn’t even really unlimited as they throttle past a certain amount…

But you are correct about RAM - I’ll await the numbers, but I’d bet that PC sales will go down this year. People might be sheep, but they tend to buy less when prices astronomically increase.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

If you live in Canada, you’re probably paying closer to $100 per month for unlimited data - which isn’t even really unlimited as they throttle past a certain amount…

Nah, I'm in the US. Cricket, Metro, and Straight talk all run great deals on unlimited plans.

In Europe and Asia its even better, mobile plans are super cheap, IE like $20 a month.

But you are correct about RAM - I’ll await the numbers, but I’d bet that PC sales will go down this year. People might be sheep, but they tend to buy kess when prices astronomically increase.

I heard mobo sales were down 50% already somewhere.

Found it

Memory apocalypse kneecaps motherboard sales by as much as 50%, and CPU sales might be next

Mo-bo, mo' problems.

www.pcgamer.com

And that was 4 weeks ago, undoubtably its gotten way worse. I'd bet OEM sales will reflect this in their end quarter reports.

 

[Kirby1]

It doesn't really matter how much you make or how much things cost.

Lol wow.

No one with common sense and the ability to reason has ever said this. Wages and costs absolutely matter.


Back on topic, would make a lot more sense if we just had some desktop motherboards with laptop ram dimm slots.

 

[seeprime]

Lol wow.

No one with common sense and the ability to reason has ever said this. Wages and costs absolutely matter.


Back on topic, would make a lot more sense if we just had some desktop motherboards with laptop ram dimm slots.

Some of us choose to not be in, or go into debt. You're right. Of course, prices matter.

 

[NumberNine]

I am not going to need more RAM for a very, very long time. Popcorn mode.

 

[axiomatic13]

I am not going to need more RAM for a very, very long time. Popcorn mode.

Same, I had the wherewithal to buy a few extra DDR5 kits when they were dirt cheap. I still have two unopened kits for a new AM5 build, and an SFF system I'm working on.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Same, I had the wherewithal to buy a few extra DDR5 kits when they were dirt cheap. I still have two unopened kits for a new AM5 build, and an SFF system I'm working on.

I am not going to need more RAM for a very, very long time. Popcorn mode.

I grabbed 64GB when they announced they were cutting production months ago, and shifted the 32GB into the media PC. I can turtle for another 5+ years.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Guess I should sell the Kingston 64gb kit that came with my Threadripper since I upgraded to 256gb awhile back…

 

[toooooot]

I am not going to need more RAM for a very, very long time. Popcorn mode.

Then suddenly: PSU blows up also murdering RAM and CPU...

 

[stmok]

I’m glad bought enough 32GB RAM kits to upgrade all 5 of the AM5 PCs in the house; way before this RAM price apocalypse kicked in. (3 kits were ECC unregistered, 2 were regular ones).

Since I upgrade every 10 years or so, I can sit back, ride the situation out, and be amused by these odd technological hack jobs. (This is trying to treat the symptom, and does nothing to cure the RAM price situation).

 

[NumberNine]

Then suddenly: PSU blows up also murdering RAM and CPU...

I by top tier PSUs so unlikely. Even if so, I have a secondary tower with a 7600X and 32GB, a third smaller box, 2 laptops, 5 game consoles, 3 handhelds, and a couple of NUCs lying around. Even if every piece of tech I own were to simultaneously burst into flames, I'd receive a fat check and a new work laptop immediately.

 

[Manoa]

Buy 4800 mhz DDR5 RAM when 5000 mhz DDR4 exists and 12,000 mhz DDR5 with CUDIMM too, spend 5000$ on a computer with 16 cores and cheap out the extra 300$ on a RAM that will bottleneck it all day long, all while less than 1 year from now Zen 6 gets out with a new IO die that may have the ability to drive 12,000 mhz DDR5 with CUDIMM, do you know now how brilliant your idea is ?

 

[AlexIL]

At current PC prices looking at Xbox for games and phone for everything else. At work it’s work’s problem to provide computer.

Yes cost matters.

 

[MarkHughes]

So, Why do we have 2 different ram types then ? Why can't desktops just have laptop style sockets and everyone benefit from the same form factor and possible economies of scale ?

Apart from the slight performance difference I mean.

 

[Win7user]

People do care about extra money for RAM. The glut from 23 was not sustainable but current prices are price gouging, and we all know it.

RAM is just RAM. A cell phone, you are not just paying for memory, you are paying for the packaging, the cellular certifications, and most importantly, the now 8 years of software updates and security support these devices require to function.

If you're paying $80+ a month for a cell plan, you're not paying $1000 for a phone. That phone is included in that monthly payment. Unlimited plans are $50-60 these days, sometimes less. My plan is only $40 a month and includes tethering. And again, you're not just paying for access, but for the maintenance on the plethora of towers needed to maintain that signal. Apples and oranges.

Sure, people waste money on stupid things, but that doesnt mean the price of memory is acceptable. Memory makers lost money in 23 but were profitable, to the tune of several billion, in 24. The current prices are not required to run business or expand, they are pure gouging using AI as an excuse.

And I bet you forgot to include the 12+ hour work days, conditions that would make most young people cry, and how lucky you had to be to get one of those jobs, considering that the Boomers had a similar rate of lower class to middle class that gen Z has.

Just a guess. I mean, I'm a young millennial, I've consistently made $8-10k under the US average wage, and I have a paid off house in a good neighborhood, a paid off 2020 sport sedan, and a classic truck, along with a fully funded retirement plan. Most people seem to assume I make 6 figures.

But its always easier to resort to stereotyping with rose tinted glasses.

Looks, like you're on you way

People do care about extra money for RAM. The glut from 23 was not sustainable but current prices are price gouging, and we all know it.

RAM is just RAM. A cell phone, you are not just paying for memory, you are paying for the packaging, the cellular certifications, and most importantly, the now 8 years of software updates and security support these devices require to function.

If you're paying $80+ a month for a cell plan, you're not paying $1000 for a phone. That phone is included in that monthly payment. Unlimited plans are $50-60 these days, sometimes less. My plan is only $40 a month and includes tethering. And again, you're not just paying for access, but for the maintenance on the plethora of towers needed to maintain that signal. Apples and oranges.

Sure, people waste money on stupid things, but that doesnt mean the price of memory is acceptable. Memory makers lost money in 23 but were profitable, to the tune of several billion, in 24. The current prices are not required to run business or expand, they are pure gouging using AI as an excuse.

And I bet you forgot to include the 12+ hour work days, conditions that would make most young people cry, and how lucky you had to be to get one of those jobs, considering that the Boomers had a similar rate of lower class to middle class that gen Z has.

Just a guess. I mean, I'm a young millennial, I've consistently made $8-10k under the US average wage, and I have a paid off house in a good neighborhood, a paid off 2020 sport sedan, and a classic truck, along with a fully funded retirement plan. Most people seem to assume I make 6 figures.

But its always easier to resort to stereotyping with rose tinted glasses.

Sounds, like you're all that and a bag of chips. My, hat's off to you Millennial.

 

[Squid Surprise]

So, Why do we have 2 different ram types then ? Why can't desktops just have laptop style sockets and everyone benefit from the same form factor and possible economies of scale ?

Apart from the slight performance difference I mean.

Cause laptops are smaller - so smaller RAM takes less electricity and gives off less heat… provides a bit less performance but the tradeoff is worth it - at least, for most people…

 

[AnilD]

Single-digit performance loss for a setup that looks completely cursed is honestly a great deal in this market.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

You're, close. I worked for Frito-Lay in 1978 and my starting hourly wage was $5.17 an hour. It, was a union job, no doubt. I worked an hour overtime every day, had to clean up after my shift. I, also, worked as a prep-cook 32 hours a week, for $3.65 an hour. I was working at least 75 hrs a week!! And, yes, I bought a house in 1982 for 65K. It, wasn't a great house, but it had a good roof.

It, doesn't really matter how much you make or how much things cost, it only matters that you get a paycheck every single week without fail. And, also what you do with your money. When I was 16 I saved enough money (at my job) for two years, to pay myself every week for a year, (if I lost my job) as though I was actually working.

It's not rocket science, it's called being an adult, and doing what you must do, to survive.

You boomers always think kids today are just soft when the reality is that your generation has inflated away the value of money at younger generations' expense:

1982 Median Income & Home: $23.6K & $69K or 2.9 years pay.
2025 Median Income & Home: $83.7 & $455K or 5.5 years pay.

(Note: I'm not a kid and own multiple properties, but I realize that young people are screwed because of inflation, not that I'm a genius at investing or hard work because of inflation)

 

[3 try this]

Sad times when using ddr4 laptop memory in ddr5 motherboard. I've purchased 32GB of memory from Amazon waiting for it to ship and is not the fastest around but at least it is ddr5 desktop memory. Once have that in hand will purchase CPU and motherboard.

 

[3 try this]

You boomers always think kids today are just soft when the reality is that your generation has inflated away the value of money at younger generations' expense:

1982 Median Income & Home: $23.6K & $69K or 2.9 years pay.
2025 Median Income & Home: $83.7 & $455K or 5.5 years pay.

(Note: I'm not a kid and own multiple properties, but I realize that young people are screwed because of inflation, not that I'm a genius at investing or hard work because of inflation)

How many is multiple. I have 2x properties the way you say it sounds like big noting yourself.