If you’re shopping for a new PC in late 2025, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to bring your own RAM. Skyrocketing DDR5 memory prices—fueled by unprecedented AI infrastructure demand and supply chain bottlenecks—have forced PC manufacturers to strip systems of memory or shift costs directly to buyers. What once cost $120 for 32GB now regularly exceeds $300, leaving even high-end pre-builts like the Maingear Apex memory-less at checkout.
The global memory market has been blindsided by the AI boom. Data centers deploying next-gen inference and training servers are hoarding high-bandwidth DDR5 and HBM modules, leaving consumer-grade stock scarce. Add to that export restrictions, reduced DRAM production yields, and geopolitical tensions affecting key suppliers like SK Hynix and Micron, and you have a perfect storm. Retailers can’t keep inventory, and OEMs are reconfiguring entire build lines to stay profitable—often by omitting RAM altogether.
Major boutique PC builders like Maingear, Falcon Northwest, and even mainstream brands such as Dell’s Alienware division have started listing configurations “without memory” or offering steep discounts if you BYO (Bring Your Own) RAM. In some cases, customers report saving $250 or more by installing their own sticks post-purchase. While savvy upgraders see this as a chance to reuse old DDR5 kits, first-time builders and casual buyers are left confused—or priced out entirely.
Gamers and creative professionals—who rely on fast, stable memory for high-fidelity experiences—are feeling the pinch most acutely. With DDR5-6000+ kits now trading at scalper-inflated prices on secondary markets, even mid-range builds are becoming luxury purchases. YouTube builders have started advising viewers to “wait, scavenge, or skip,” while Reddit threads overflow with users trading legacy DDR4 systems just to hold onto affordable performance.
It’s no coincidence that AI chips from NVIDIA, AMD, and custom cloud silicon all demand massive memory bandwidth. Every new AI server deployment gobbles up thousands of DDR5 modules, often with ECC and enterprise-grade specs that overlap with premium consumer offerings. As long as AI expansion outpaces memory fabrication capacity—which industry analysts say won’t balance until late 2026—retail buyers will keep losing out.
If you must build or buy in this climate, experts recommend checking your attic, old builds, or trusted resale communities like r/homelab or r/MechMarket for unused DDR5 kits. Otherwise, consider delaying non-urgent upgrades or opting for DDR4-based systems, which remain relatively stable in price thanks to lower AI relevance. Some builders even offer memory installation services if you ship them your own sticks—turning your PC purchase into a true bring-your-own-memory affair.
While industry insiders expect relief in 2026 as new fabrication plants come online, the current RAM crunch is already reshaping how we think about PC ownership. For now, flexibility is key: the days of seamless, all-in-one desktop purchases may be on pause. But if you’ve got a few spare DDR5 sticks lying around? You’re suddenly the most popular person at the PC party.
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