PriceRook

Is RAM going to get cheaper? (2026)

Short answer: Not in the near term. TrendForce projects conventional DRAM contract prices will still rise 10–15% quarter over quarter in Q4 2026, because suppliers keep moving capacity to AI server memory. Increases are slowing, but they aren't reversing. The practical move is to buy only the RAM you need and catch individual retailer discounts.

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What's driving RAM prices

TrendForce reports that DRAM suppliers are prioritizing advanced-process capacity for server products in 4Q26, keeping the overall market undersupplied. It also projects NAND Flash (SSD) contract prices up 15–20% QoQ in the same quarter [1].

TrendForce's September 2026 DRAM contract price report describes severe PC DRAM shortages as major Korean and Taiwanese makers shift capacity to server applications [2].

What that means if you're buying RAM

  • Contract prices (what PC makers pay) feed into retail prices with a lag. TrendForce's forecasts point to higher prices, not lower, through Q4 2026 [1].
  • Retail discounts on specific kits still happen. Those are worth catching, which is why PriceRook is building a RAM price drop tracker.
  • PriceRook doesn't predict when prices will fall. We report sourced forecasts and live retailer prices only.

Sources

  1. TrendForce press release, Sep 30, 2026: AI Server Demand Sustains Memory Contract Price Increases in 4Q26
  2. TrendForce: DRAM Contract Price, Sep. 2026 (report summary)
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Questions and answers

Will RAM prices go down in 2026?

TrendForce's Q4 2026 outlook projects conventional DRAM contract prices rising 10–15% QoQ, so a broad drop in 2026 isn't forecast.

Why is RAM so expensive right now?

Per TrendForce, memory makers are shifting capacity to AI server DRAM, leaving PC and consumer memory undersupplied.

How can I catch a RAM discount?

Watch specific kits at retailers. PriceRook is adding RAM drop alerts in Discord, starting with official Best Buy data.