DDR5 RAM Prices Explode: Scalpers Push Some Kits Over $2,000 — Up to 7x Original Value
The global memory shortage has pushed DDR5 RAM prices to shocking new highs, and scalpers are taking full advantage. Some memory kits are now listed on eBay for more than $2,000, with many selling for over seven times their original retail value. What used to be an affordable PC upgrade has suddenly become one of the most inflated components in the entire tech market.
Why DDR5 Prices Are So High Right Now
The ongoing AI boom is at the center of the crisis. Tech giants are rapidly expanding their data centers, which requires a massive supply of server-grade memory. To meet this demand, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have all shifted their production away from consumer RAM.
Micron even announced it will shut down Crucial, its consumer RAM brand, to focus entirely on enterprise clients.
This shift is hurting availability across the board—including prebuilt gaming PCs, mini PCs, handheld consoles, and individual memory kits.
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A $117 DDR5 Kit Now Costs Over $800
One of the starkest examples is the G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 C30 32GB kit. Originally priced at just $117.99, it stayed stable until late 2024. Today, the same kit costs around $429.99 at retailers.
But scalpers are flipping it for $836.54, nearly double the current retail price—and over seven times its original cost.
Across the Market, Prices Have Doubled and Tripled
The price hikes aren’t limited to one or two models. Practically every DDR5 kit has jumped:
The Trident Z5 RGB DDR5-6400 C32 96GB kit once sold for $339.99. Retail prices have now ballooned to around $1,169, and scalpers list it for about $1,802.
The Vengeance DDR5-5200 C38 192GB (4×48GB) kit was already expensive at $649.99. It now sells for $2,201.99 at retailers.
Interestingly, due to the high original price, scalper listings for the Vengeance 192GB kit sometimes cost less than retail—around $1,949.95—making eBay the “cheaper” option in this one rare case.
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eBay Sold Listings Reveal How Bad the Market Has Become
Recent completed sales on eBay show that buyers are indeed paying these inflated prices:
128GB DDR5 5600MHz laptop memory sold for $900
16GB ADATA DDR5 stick sold for $190
256GB G.Skill DDR5 sold for $2,335 (December 8)
96GB G.Skill DDR5 sold for $1,347 (December 5)
The demand is so intense that even single 16GB sticks—usually under $50—are selling for nearly $200.
PC Builders, OEMs, and Even Raspberry Pi Are Raising Prices
The memory crisis doesn’t only hurt DIY PC builders. Companies across the industry are raising prices:
Custom PC makers like CyberPowerPC and Maingear have increased prebuilt costs.
Major OEMs such as Dell are raising prices as well.
Even Raspberry Pi has increased its SBC pricing due to memory costs.
One exception may be Lenovo, which reportedly has enough memory stockpiled to maintain stable pricing through 2026.
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DDR5 Pricing Will Likely Stay High Through 2025
With AI-driven demand showing no signs of slowing down and manufacturers prioritizing enterprise clients, DDR5 memory prices may remain inflated for quite some time. For consumers, upgrading RAM has become one of the most expensive parts of building or upgrading a PC.
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