Cheap Chinese RAM was long regarded as a hidden gem. However, the chance for affordable RAM from China is now over. Chinese companies are also increasingly focusing on storage for data centers.
RAM from China was considered the hidden gem in recent weeks. Prices for Chinese RAM were still significantly lower than those in Europe or the US.
However, this hope has already vanished after just a few weeks. Now, you pay just as much for Chinese RAM, or even more than in Europe.
The “hope” of Western gamers now costs just as much in China as in Europe
Who produces RAM in China? The most well-known is probably ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), which is considered one of the largest DRAM manufacturers in China. Smaller notable manufacturers include YMTC (3D NAND), GigaDevice, and Hyllsi Technology.
Manufacturers like KingBank mainly rely on CXMT’s memory for their storage modules, and until recently, its modules were significantly cheaper. However, now you pay not much less for KingBank’s RAM modules than in Europe. WCCFTech reports that you now have to pay around 450 euros for a 32 GB DDR5 module in China as well.
If you look at the prices in Germany on Geizhals, they are even slightly above our current prices. Here, you pay between 350 and 400 euros for 32 GB DDR5. The chance for affordable RAM from China is therefore already over.
Why have prices risen so dramatically?
- On the one hand, this is due to the increasing demand. Since many people have discovered Chinese products for themselves and therefore switch to these brands, prices are also rising.
- On the other hand, this is because CXMT is also shifting large parts of its capacities to HBM3. HBM3 is high-performance RAM primarily used in data centers. Most manufacturers are trying to profit from the AI boom and are therefore focusing on HBM3.
What’s next? Really dropping prices are not in sight yet. Experts suspect that the AI boom and the memory crisis could continue until 2027. Until then, gamers have to be patient if they want to upgrade their gaming PCs at fair prices.
There could at least be some good news: PC manufacturers like Dell, ASUS, and HP want to sign long-term contracts with CXMT, which should make pre-built PCs cheaper in the long run (via tomshardware.com).
Are you looking for an option to survive the memory crisis? MyMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann presents a gaming PC that allows you to withstand the RAM crisis while still enjoying gaming: For 1,600 euros, you get the best gaming PC to safely withstand the RAM crisis
