RAM and disk prices soar: building a PC in 2025 costs 60% more
DDR5 RAM prices have tripled in two years, and hard drives have doubled. We explain why AI is behind this surge and if it’s worth buying now.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The absurdity of building a PC in 2025: RAM and disks skyrocket due to the AI frenzy
Building a gaming PC today is an exercise in financial masochism. 32 GB DDR5 RAM modules are priced at €500, whereas two years ago they could be found for €150. 1 TB SSDs no longer drop below €150, and 2 TB HDDs hover around €300. The official explanation is that demand from AI data centers has dried up memory and storage production, but the numbers suggest there might be more underhanded dealings.
From €150 to €500: RAM has become a luxury
Until 2023, a 32 GB DDR5 kit could be bought for just over €100. In December 2024, prices started climbing, and today the same module costs €500 for DDR5, or €250 if you opt for DDR4. The rise isn't gradual; it's a missile strike. Someone who bought 32 GB two years ago paid €150; today they would pay triple that amount. Note that some analysts predict prices will double again throughout 2026, because HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) production used in AI is prioritized over conventional RAM.
Hard drives: twice the price of three years ago
The same happens with storage. A 1 TB SSD that cost €60 in 2022 now costs €150. Traditional HDDs aren't far behind: a Seagate Barracuda 4 TB sold for €103 in September 2024; in three months it rose to €170, and today it exceeds €200. Western Digital, one of the manufacturers, has multiplied its stock market valuation by ten, suggesting margins are through the roof. The official narrative blames AI, but some point to an artificial supply restriction strategy to keep prices high, similar to what peine with graphics cards during the Bitcoin bubble.
Alternatives: the refurbished market and going back to basics
Faced with this madness, many choose to wait or look for low-cost solutions. A refurbished PC with an i5-14600, 32 GB of RAM, and an RTX 5070 can be found for €1,300, compared to €1,800–€2,000 for a new one. Others rely on old hard drives and games from five years ago, or switch directly to emulators and classic titles that don't require cutting-edge hardware. Some even bet on switching to ARM architecture (Snapdragon X, Loongson) as an alternative to expensive x86 components.
If the trend continues, the consumer PC market could suffer a severe contraction. The question is whether the industry will accept cannibalizing its user base or if pressure will force a price correction. For now, anyone needing a new system should consider waiting or accepting that the era of cheap hardware is over.
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Building a gaming PC today is an exercise in financial masochism. 32 GB DDR5 RAM modules are priced at €500, whereas two years ago they could be found for €150. 1 TB SSDs no longer drop below €150, and 2 TB HDDs hover around €300. The official explanation is that demand from AI data centers has dried up memory and storage production, but the numbers suggest there might be more underhanded dealings.
From €150 to €500: RAM has become a luxury
Until 2023, a 32 GB DDR5 kit could be bought for just over €100. In December 2024, prices started climbing, and today the same module costs €500 for DDR5, or €250 if you opt for DDR4. The rise isn't gradual; it's a missile strike. Someone who bought 32 GB two years ago paid €150; today they would pay triple that amount. Note that some analysts predict prices will double again throughout 2026, because HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) production used in AI is prioritized over conventional RAM.
Hard drives: twice the price of three years ago
The same happens with storage. A 1 TB SSD that cost €60 in 2022 now costs €150. Traditional HDDs aren't far behind: a Seagate Barracuda 4 TB sold for €103 in September 2024; in three months it rose to €170, and today it exceeds €200. Western Digital, one of the manufacturers, has multiplied its stock market valuation by ten, suggesting margins are through the roof. The official narrative blames AI, but some point to an artificial supply restriction strategy to keep prices high, similar to what peine with graphics cards during the Bitcoin bubble.
Alternatives: the refurbished market and going back to basics
Faced with this madness, many choose to wait or look for low-cost solutions. A refurbished PC with an i5-14600, 32 GB of RAM, and an RTX 5070 can be found for €1,300, compared to €1,800–€2,000 for a new one. Others rely on old hard drives and games from five years ago, or switch directly to emulators and classic titles that don't require cutting-edge hardware. Some even bet on switching to ARM architecture (Snapdragon X, Loongson) as an alternative to expensive x86 components.
If the trend continues, the consumer PC market could suffer a severe contraction. The question is whether the industry will accept cannibalizing its user base or if pressure will force a price correction. For now, anyone needing a new system should consider waiting or accepting that the era of cheap hardware is over.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (163 replies).
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