It sounds like a joke, but it’s becoming reality: RAM prices have skyrocketed so dramatically in 2025 that some stores have resorted to listing memory modules using the same pricing methods normally reserved for seafood markets — including “market price” tags similar to lobster and other premium foods.
Yes, DDR5 has officially become the lobster of PC hardware.
🦞 Why Is RAM Suddenly So Expensive?
Across the tech industry, the cost of DDR5 — especially high-speed modules — has spiked sharply. The reasons include:
1. Huge Demand From AI Servers
AI data centers, LLM training labs, cloud providers, and GPU clusters are consuming massive amounts of DDR5 and HBM memory, leaving consumer inventory low.
2. Production Shifts Toward High-End Memory
Manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have shifted fabrication capacity toward HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), because AI companies will pay anything for it.
This means less DDR5 supply for regular consumers.
3. Rising Costs of High-Density Chips
32GB and 64GB modules require newer DRAM stacks that are harder to produce. Yields are inconsistent, causing unpredictable pricing.
4. The PC Upgrade Boom of 2025
With new platforms like:
- Intel Arrow Lake
- AMD Ryzen 9000 series
- New gaming GPUs
- Windows 12 AI features
…millions of users are upgrading at the same time, pushing demand even higher.
📈 How Bad Are the Prices?
Some examples from stores in the U.S., Europe, and Asia show:
- 32GB DDR5 kits that were $70–$80 last year are now $140–$160.
- 64GB kits that previously sold for $120–$150 now exceed $250.
- High-end 6000–7000MHz kits have jumped 30–50% in just a few months.
This volatility is why stores have stopped printing fixed price tags — instead displaying “Market Price: Ask at Counter”…
…exactly like lobster.
🏪 Why Stores Are Using “Market Price” Labels
Instead of adjusting price tags every single day, some retailers are now:
- Listing RAM with “MP — Market Price”
- Updating prices hourly
- Asking customers to check with staff
- Displaying QR codes that refresh dynamically
This is the same method restaurants use for seafood because costs change daily — and now, so does RAM.
One viral photo even showed:
“DDR5 32GB – MARKET PRICE (Ask Like You’re Ordering Lobster)”
The tech community quickly turned it into a meme.
🧠 Will RAM Prices Go Back Down?
Experts believe prices will stabilize, but not soon.
Here’s the outlook:
✔ Short-term (1–6 months):
Prices likely remain high or even increase.
AI companies and servers continue buying huge volumes.
✔ Mid-term (6–12 months):
Supply may catch up once manufacturers expand DRAM production.
✔ Long-term (2026):
Possible price normalization, especially as next-gen chip fabrication improves.
But don’t expect RAM to return to 2022–2023 prices — those days are gone.
💡 Should You Buy RAM Now or Wait?
It depends on your situation:
Buy now if:
- You’re building a new PC
- You need 64GB+ for work or content creation
- Your current RAM is failing or insufficient
Wait if:
- You already have 16–32GB and don’t need an upgrade
- You’re hoping for seasonal discounts
- Your workload doesn’t demand more memory
If you’re planning a big workstation or gaming build, RAM may keep rising — buying sooner might save you money.
🎉 Final Thoughts
RAM prices have officially gone full lobster mode, turning essential PC components into unpredictable luxury items. Thanks to the AI hardware boom, supply constraints, and market pressures, even simple memory upgrades now feel like ordering seafood at a high-end restaurant.
Until production stabilizes, expect to see more absurd price tags — and maybe even more seafood-themed memes — as RAM remains one of the most volatile components in the PC market.