Memory Crisis Expands as DDR4 Prices Explode Worldwide

ASUS already confirmed upcoming price increases tied to memory shortages, and Nintendo Switch 2 prices are also expected to rise due to higher production costs. The pressure no longer affects only next-gen memory, as DDR4 prices now spike at an unprecedented rate.

DDR4 RAM prices are surging due to the DDR5 shortage

According to TechPowerUp, DDR4 RAM prices are surging worldwide, reflecting the deepening global DRAM shortage. A new analysis from Goldman Sachs, cited via Ctee, shows DDR4 spot prices running as much as 172% higher than contract prices, highlighting extreme demand and limited supply.

South Korea, the world’s largest memory exporter, has increased DRAM exports by 72% year over year, signaling intense global demand pressure. Manufacturers feel the impact as well. Nayanke reported a massive 445% annual revenue increase, driven largely by higher DDR4 pricing.

Consumers already see the consequences. A 32GB Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 kit jumped from $71.99 to $262.99 in just six months, turning previously affordable upgrades into premium purchases.

The surge links directly to buyers shifting away from DDR5, which remains constrained by massive AI-driven memory demand. Earlier this year, ASUS confirmed increased DDR4 motherboard production, citing DDR5 shortages and inflated costs.

With memory supply tightening across the board, analysts now warn that NVIDIA GPUs could face similar shortages, adding further pressure to PC hardware and gaming markets in the months ahead.