Jamie Bowes Chief Technical Officer
Memory Pricing Alert
Time to Reconsider Paused Orders
Date: December, 11th, 2025
A Market Shift You Can’t Ignore
The IT hardware market is entering a new phase—and memory pricing is at the centre of it. Over the past few months, the cost of RAM has surged, and forecasts suggest this trend will continue well into 2026. For businesses planning infrastructure upgrades or device rollouts, this is a critical moment to reassess procurement strategies.
RAM Prices Are Rising Fast: Why IT Teams Should Act Now
What Is Causing The RAM Pricing Surge?
The answer lies in the AI boom. Major memory manufacturers are prioritising production for AI-focused hardware, such as GPUs and high-bandwidth memory chips, to meet demand from data centers and AI workloads. This shift is reducing supply for traditional components like DRAM used in servers, laptops, and tablets.
DRAM prices rose 20–25% in Q4 2025
AI servers require up to 10x more memory than standard servers
Forecast: Another 15–20% increase expected in early 2026
This isn’t a temporary spike—it’s a structural change driven by global investment in AI technologies.
Stock Is Drying Up
It’s not just about price. We’re starting to see supply chain stock issues as organisations pre-buy memory in anticipation of further increases. This surge in early purchasing is draining available stock in the channel, and because manufacturers are focused on AI hardware, these shortages aren’t being backfilled quickly. The result? Longer lead times and even more pressure on procurement teams.
Why This Matters for Your IT Budget
If you have projects on hold—server refreshes, workstation upgrades, or tablet deployments—delaying could mean paying significantly more later. A 64GB DDR5 module that cost £200–£250 earlier this year is now trending toward £350, with projections of £400+ by mid-2026. Combine that with stock shortages, and waiting could mean missed deadlines and higher costs.
What Should You Do Now?
Review paused orders and assess cost implications
Lock in pricing early to avoid budget overruns
Speak to experts who can help optimise procurement strategies
At Galtec, we’re monitoring these trends closely and helping organisations secure the hardware they need before costs escalate further.
Speak To Our Team
Contact our team at sales@galtec.com for tailored advice and up-to-date pricing insights.