Micron: demand and tight supply
Micron's fiscal Q2 2026 results describe strong demand and tight industry supply across DRAM and NAND. This is company-level market context, not a retail price forecast.
Read Micron's resultsRetail evidence updated August 28, 2026
Why Are RAM Prices High Right Now?
Start with what the market is actually charging. Then use primary manufacturer reporting to understand the supply and demand context without pretending one headline explains every kit.
Live picks from our price tracker
Best live DDR5 value
$1.80/GBG.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 6000 (PC5 48000) Desktop Memory Model F5-6000J3040G32GX2-RS5K
DDR564GB (2x32)
$114.95
$1.80/GB
Verify on Amazon.com before purchasing — checkout price applies.Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Prices update daily from our product database.
Best live DDR4 value
$2.34/GBCORSAIR Vengeance LPX DDR4 RAM 64GB (2x32GB) 3600MHz CL18-22-22-42 1.35V Intel AMD Desktop Computer Memory - Black (CMK64GX4M2D3600C18)
DDR464GB (2x32)3600MHz
$149.99
$2.34/GB
Verify on Amazon.com before purchasing — checkout price applies.Affiliate link — we may earn a commission. Prices update daily from our product database.
Measured on this site
Current DDR4 and DDR5 retail snapshot
DDR4
$7.44/GB
median price per GB
Median kit $124.99-0.4% 30d
1270 active listings in this measured set
DDR5
$16.48/GB
median price per GB
Median kit $549.99+5.8% 30d
1193 active listings in this measured set
These figures describe the current qualified product set, not every RAM listing on Amazon. Prices and availability can change at checkout. A 30-day comparison is shown only when comparable history exists.
Overall market
Prices are elevated
52-week low52-week high
Prices are at the 95th percentile of our 6-week range — above recent averages. Consider waiting.
DDR4 RAM
Average pricing
52-week low52-week high
Prices are at the 60th percentile of our 6-week range — roughly in line with recent averages.
DDR5 RAM
Prices are elevated
52-week low52-week high
Prices are at the 100th percentile of our 6-week range — above recent averages. Consider waiting.
External market context
What primary sources support
Memory manufacturers report strong data-center and AI demand, tight industry supply, and major investment in advanced memory. Those facts can help explain broad market pressure. They do not prove that every DDR4 or DDR5 retail kit moved by the same percentage.
Samsung: HBM capacity and AI demand
Samsung says HBM4 is in mass production, capacity is expanding, and it expects HBM sales to grow sharply in 2026. That supports the importance of AI memory demand in current manufacturing priorities.
Read Samsung's announcementMicron: DDR4 supply is product-specific
Micron is expanding DDR4 production at its Virginia facility. That is a useful reminder that supply changes vary by product and facility; a simple industry-wide countdown is not reliable.
Read Micron's expansion updateWhat the evidence does not tell us
- No universal surge percentage: results change with the baseline date, capacity, speed, module type, and listing cohort.
- No guaranteed relief date: supply additions and retail inventory do not reach every segment at once.
- No automatic buy decision: compatibility and the urgency of your upgrade matter more than a market headline.
A practical decision sequence
- 1. Confirm compatibility. Identify DDR generation, DIMM or SO-DIMM form factor, supported capacity, and whether ECC or registered memory is required.
- 2. Compare like with like. Use price per GB only among kits that actually fit the same system and capacity need.
- 3. Check the live signal. Use current movement and the history-backed percentile when enough comparable snapshots exist.
- 4. Buy for the real deadline. If a required repair or build is blocked, a qualified in-stock kit is usually more valuable than an uncertain forecast.
Frequently asked questions
Why are RAM prices high right now?
There is no single cause that a retail tracker can prove. Current manufacturer reporting points to strong AI and data-center memory demand alongside tight industry supply. This page separates those external market signals from the DDR4 and DDR5 retail prices we measure directly.
How much have RAM prices changed?
Use the live 30-day movement and price-per-GB figures on this page. We do not publish a universal percentage because the result depends on memory generation, capacity, kit format, the comparison date, and which products are included.
When will RAM prices go down?
No reliable date can be promised. Capacity additions, product transitions, demand, and retail inventory can move different RAM segments at different times. The daily trend and buy signal are more useful than a fixed forecast.
Should I buy RAM now or wait?
If the upgrade is required, first confirm memory type, form factor, capacity support, and kit configuration, then compare qualified live picks. If it is optional, use the 30-day movement and history-based buy signal instead of trying to predict one perfect date.
Why can DDR4 stay expensive even though DDR5 is newer?
DDR4 and DDR5 have separate product mixes and supply decisions. A mature standard can remain costly in a particular capacity or form factor when compatible supply is limited. Compare the live DDR4 and DDR5 medians rather than assuming older always means cheaper.