RAM 2025-2026: Buy Now or Wait? – Guide During Memory Shortage

The RAM shortage is hitting hard in 2025. DDR4 and DDR5 kits are soaring in price, stocks are depleting rapidly, and some manufacturers are abandoning the consumer market altogether. If you need to build or upgrade a PC, asking yourself "should I buy now or wait" has never been more crucial. In this article, we analyze the current state of the memory market, forecasts for 2026-2028, and provide concrete advice to help you make the best decision based on your situation.

Why RAM is Scarce — and Why It Will Last

The 2025 RAM crisis is no accident. Several structural factors combine to create a lasting shortage: The explosion of AI and server demand where datacenters consume massive volumes of DRAM, drastically reducing the supply available to consumers. Production has been redirected: some DDR4 production lines are completely shut down, manufacturing now focuses on high-end memory for servers and artificial intelligence, reducing the volume available for consumer PC kits. Prices are surging with some kits seeing their prices jump up to +300% compared to 2024. We're also seeing a drastic reduction in consumer offerings: historically affordable brands are completely stopping sales of consumer RAM and SSDs, reducing the number of market players. According to industry analysts, this memory crisis could persist until 2027-2028, or even beyond if AI demand continues its exponential growth.

Buy Now: In Which Cases?

You should consider buying your RAM right now if you're in one of these situations: If you have an immediate need for RAM for intensive gaming, video editing, local AI, or heavy multitasking — every month of delay can cost you significantly more. If you want to avoid future price increases: all forecasts show that prices absolutely should not drop before at least 2027, and could even continue climbing in 2026. If you find a "reasonable" deal today (price below current average, confirmed stock from a reliable retailer, recognized brand), don't hesitate — these opportunities are becoming increasingly rare. In the current context, waiting and hoping for price drops is a risky strategy that could cost you money.

Wait: When Is It Wise?

It may make sense to wait if you're in these scenarios: If your current RAM is more than sufficient for your usage (1080p gaming, office work, web browsing, light usage) — no need to rush. If you're absolutely not in a hurry and a small performance or capacity gain isn't urgent for your needs. If you genuinely hope for a price drop, but be realistic: according to current analyst forecasts, this won't happen until after 2027, and nothing guarantees a return to pre-2025 prices. Be careful though: waiting too long could mean either paying even more, or not finding any stock at all for certain popular models.

Tips for Smart Buying Despite the Shortage

Here are proven strategies to maximize your chances of finding RAM at an acceptable price: Actively monitor stock alerts and promotions — these are often the rare moments when you can buy at a reasonable price. Thoroughly verify seller reliability: avoid deals that seem too good to be true, abnormally low prices that often hide counterfeits, and unknown sellers with no track record. Seriously consider the used market: used DDR4 kits can be more than sufficient for most uses if your motherboard is compatible — just verify the sticks work properly before purchase. If possible, buy in bundles (motherboard + RAM): some retailers now impose these packages (shortage obliges), but this can sometimes guarantee you supply where buying separately would be impossible. Don't forget to compare prices between DDR4 and DDR5: depending on your platform, DDR4 can offer excellent performance-to-price ratio.

Final Verdict: What to Do in 2025-2026?

If you have a real need for RAM now → buy as soon as you find a decent deal. Don't speculate on a hypothetical short-term drop. If it's not urgent → you can hope for relative stabilization around 2027-2028, but nobody guarantees a return to pre-2025 prices, or even availability of certain models. In 2025, in the shortage context we're experiencing, waiting sometimes means missing the opportunity — especially for a component as fundamental as RAM. The best strategy remains actively monitoring the market, defining your maximum acceptable budget, and acting quickly when a good opportunity presents itself. The memory market won't return to normal for several years.