DDR4 RAM prices are apparently starting to show the ongoing effects of the current DRAM shortage. According to a recent analysis by Goldman Sachs (via Ctee), DDR4 spot prices are as much as 172% higher than contract prices. This suggests that demand for DDR4 is driving up prices for the older memory standard. The Ctee report also cites dramatic increases in DRAM exports out of Korea—up 72% year-over-year—and a 445% increase in Nayanke's annual revenue growth, primarily driven by DDR4 price increases. This drastic increase in DDR4 prices is also visible in regular consumer channels as well. In the last six months along, the price of a 32 GB kit of Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 memory has increased from a low of $71.99 to $262.99.

There are a few reasons for the unexpected price increases for DDR4 RAM are likely due to do buyers instead opting for DDR4 instead of DDR5, in light of the news of the shortage caused by the AI industry's outsized demand for memory. This is a move that many saw coming, with ASUS announcing earlier in 2026 that it would be increasing its DDR4 motherboard production heading into the new year, explaining that it expected high DDR5 prices and low supply to continue.