DDR5 RAM Prices January 2026: Stabilization or New Surge?

We're entering 2026, and the DDR5 RAM shortage that began in mid-2025 shows no signs of abating. Quite the contrary: prices continue to rise, stocks remain fragile, and the outlook for the coming months remains uncertain. For those planning a PC upgrade or build, the question of whether to buy now or wait for a hypothetical price drop is more relevant than ever. This article dissects the current market situation, future forecasts, and helps you make the best decision based on your needs and budget.

Context: Why the RAM Shortage is Worsening

The 2025-2026 RAM shortage didn't happen by chance. Several structural factors converge to worsen the supply situation: The explosion of AI and datacenter demand continues with tech giants consuming massive volumes of DDR5 for their servers and infrastructure, reducing the quantity available for consumers. Consumer production is increasingly sacrificed where some manufacturers completely abandon the consumer segment to focus exclusively on professional and industrial markets. Prices naturally follow: +200% to +400% compared to pre-2025 levels, depending on capacity and speeds. Shortages are worsening: entire ranges have simply disappeared from shelves, leaving only a few high-end kits (and very expensive) to poorly supplied buyers. Forecasts remain dark: no analyst expects a real recovery before 2027 at the earliest, and some even evoke prolonged shortages until 2028 or beyond if AI growth continues its current trajectory.

Market State 2026: Prices, Availability, and Realities

Let's look at the concrete situation as of January 2026: DDR5 kit prices (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) are at historically high levels, with some 32GB kits reaching prices once reserved for 128GB configurations. Availability is catastrophic — even basic kits (5200 MHz, CL40) are often out of stock or only available sporadically. The used market is exploding: some are willing to pay almost new prices for second-hand DDR5 kits, reflecting general panic. Retailers are imposing mandatory bundles (motherboard + RAM + CPU) to limit speculation and guarantee minimum supply. Counterfeits and scams are multiplying — in such tension, the risk of buying counterfeit or non-functional modules increases. In this climate, the decision to buy or wait takes on critical importance.

Buy Now: Yes If You're in These Cases

You should seriously consider buying now if: You have an immediate or near-term need for intensive gaming at high resolution, professional video editing, local AI, scientific simulations, or any heavy RAM-consuming task. You want to avoid an even larger price surge: everything suggests that prices could continue to rise in the first half of 2026, especially if supply doesn't improve. You've found a kit at an acceptable price (even if high) from a reliable retailer — these opportunities are increasingly rare, don't miss them. You need to finish a PC build urgently and can't afford to wait several months or even years. In short: if you need it and can afford it today, buy. Hoping for an imminent drop is a risky bet.

Wait: Valid in Certain Situations

Waiting might make sense if you're in these situations: Your current RAM is more than sufficient for your usage (1080p gaming, office work, moderate multitasking) — no need to rush. You're absolutely not in a hurry and can wait until 2027-2028 to potentially see some stabilization. You have a limited budget and prefer to wait to save more rather than overpay today. You hope for a technological breakthrough or sudden market change — but be realistic, it's unlikely in the short term. However, beware: waiting means risking paying even more, or not finding any at all. Nobody guarantees that 2027 will be better than 2026.

My Honest Advice for 2026

If you have a real need → buy as soon as you find a decent deal from a trusted seller. Don't speculate on a hypothetical short-term drop. If it's not urgent → you can wait until 2027-2028, but accept that there's no guarantee of significant improvement, and you might end up paying just as much or more. In 2026, in the persistent shortage context we're experiencing, the best strategy is to define your maximum acceptable budget, actively monitor market opportunities, and act quickly when a good deal presents itself. The memory market won't normalize anytime soon, and hoping for a miracle is not a strategy.