Rising demand for AI technology has triggered a global RAM shortage, pushing memory prices skyward and threatening next-gen gaming console timelines. Manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft face tough choices as DDR5 and GDDR7 costs climb 80-130% since September, fueled by data centers snapping up supplies. Console teams now discuss shifting launches beyond the planned 2027-2028 window to wait out the crunch. Check out the outcome of RAM Prices Surge 500% below.
RAM Prices Surge 500%: AI Boom Sparks Memory Crunch
Artificial intelligence workloads devour massive memory pools for training models and real-time processing. High-bandwidth memory (HBM) production takes priority, diverting wafers from consumer-grade DDR5 and GDDR6 used in gaming rigs. Enterprise servers and AI PCs ship with 32GB+ configs as standard, starving retail channels. In India, logistics and import duties amplify the pain, with 16GB DDR5 kits jumping from ₹12,000 to over ₹22,000.
Analysts track DDR5 UDIMM 16GB modules swinging between $120-175 weekly, while 32GB RDIMMs hit $420-475. Gaming-focused DDR5-6000 32GB (2x16GB) kits rose 89% in two months, from €140 to €265. Even aging DDR4 sees 47-71% hikes as factories pivot to newer tech. G.Skill’s high-end lines spiked 138%, hitting gamers and builders hardest.
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Next-Gen Console Challenges
PS6 rumors point to 24GB GDDR7 for ray tracing and machine learning, up from PS5’s 16GB. Next Xbox may pack 36GB on a 192-bit bus for 8K fluidity and AI upscaling. These specs demand premium memory, ballooning bills—potentially $500+ per unit just for RAM. Full consoles could top $1200 unsubsidized, far beyond traditional $500-600 sweet spots.
Insider Tom Henderson reports heated debates at Sony and Microsoft over viability. Current-gen like PS5 Pro and Xbox Series X already strain at 16GB limits for textures and assets. Price hikes loom here too, as AI absorbs capacity faster than fabs expand. Handhelds might fare better with 24GB baselines but still face delays.
Next-Gen Consoles Face Delays
Producers hope infrastructure ramps by 2028 ease shortages, but forecasts predict another 50% DRAM rise into 2026. Black Friday 2025 saw scant DDR5 deals, signaling prolonged turbulence. This buys time for PS5 and Series X|S longevity, letting devs polish cross-gen titles.
For gamers, stock up on current RAM before escalations. Console makers might trim specs or seek custom silicon, but AI’s hunger shows no signs of slowing. Expect official word at 2026 showcases, with 2028 now the safer bet for true next-gen power.
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