The 2025 End-of-Year RAM Shopping Guide: Surviving "RAMageddon"

If you’re planning to build or upgrade a PC as the year closes out, you may have noticed something alarming: RAM prices have skyrocketed. What enthusiasts are calling "RAMageddon" has hit the market hard, driven primarily by AI firms buying up massive quantities of DRAM for data centers.

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1. Look for Motherboard Bundles

One of the most effective "hacks" right now is to find RAM bundled with other components. Retailers like Newegg have been offering DDR5 kits packaged with motherboards (and sometimes even liquid coolers) at prices that effectively discount the RAM to pre-crisis levels.

• Example Deal: An MSI MPG X870E Carbon WiFi motherboard bundled with 32GB of DDR5-6400 RAM and an AiO cooler for ~$650. Since the board and cooler alone account for most of that cost, you’re essentially getting the RAM for a fraction of its standalone market price.
• Pro Tip: Even if you don't need the extra motherboard, you can sell it or gift it to recoup your costs.

2. Prioritize Capacity Over "Flash"

Now is not the time to be picky about aesthetics or bleeding-edge speeds. RGB lighting and high-frequency ratings (like DDR5-7200+) carry a massive premium right now.

• Go Plain: Opt for "naked" PCBs or simple heat spreaders without lights.
• Capacity is King: It is better to have 32GB of slower DDR5-5200 RAM than 16GB of "fast" RAM for the same price. In the current market, prioritize having enough memory to run your applications smoothly over chasing marginal benchmark gains.

3. Consider a Pre-built PC or Gaming Laptop

Surprisingly, buying a whole new system might be more cost-effective than upgrading an old one. Large manufacturers often have long-term supply contracts, meaning they may still be selling inventory built before the most recent price hikes.

• The Window is Closing: Companies like Dell, HP, and Lenovo have already signaled price hikes of up to 30% are coming. If you find a pre-built with 32GB of DDR5 at a "normal" price (like the iBuyPower Slate Mesh series), it’s likely a better value than buying individual components today.

4. The DDR4 Escape Hatch

The "AI squeeze" is primarily targeting DDR5 and HBM (High Bandwidth Memory). This has left DDR4 RAM relatively stable by comparison.

• The Strategy: If you are starting a budget build from scratch, consider using a motherboard that supports DDR4. You can still find 16GB (2x8GB) kits for around $100, whereas DDR5 kits are often double or triple that.
• The Trade-off: You will take a slight performance hit compared to DDR5, but for gaming and daily tasks, the savings are likely worth it.

5. When in Doubt, Wait

If your current PC is "good enough," the best move might be to do nothing. While major manufacturers like Samsung and SK hynix are working to ramp up production, it could take a year or more for supply to catch up with AI demand. Unless you absolutely need an upgrade for a specific workflow or a new game release, sitting out this end-of-year cycle could save you hundreds of dollars.

Bottom Line: If you must buy now, bundles and "boring" RAM are your best friends. Otherwise, keep your eyes on the sales and be ready to jump on "old stock" pre-builts before the next wave of price hikes hits in 2026.

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