Samsung-based DDR4 and DDR5 memory prices are climbing again, with older DDR4 now taking the nastier hit.
Memory module prices are rising again as the so-called RAMpocalypse continues to push up DRAM costs. The latest increase appears to reflect price hikes in memory chips made by Samsung.
Both DDR4 and DDR5 modules have reportedly been affected. Retail memory modules are now up by between 10 per cent and 19 per cent, which is not exactly cheerful news for anyone building a PC.
Danawa, which tracks consumer product prices from retailers, has shown a clear rise for both DDR4 and DDR5 modules. The figures cover Samsung-based DDR4 and DDR5 memory modules, which have jumped sharply during the past month.
User @harukaze5719 spotted the price trend for 16GB memory modules on the platform. The data suggests DDR4 is now rising faster than DDR5, which is a slightly grubby twist.
The price history for Samsung-based 16GB DDR4 memory modules shows a 19 per cent rise in a single month. It is unclear whether the graph represents a single 16GB DDR4 module or several modules, but the movement is still ugly.
DDR4 usually avoids this sort of sudden price spike. This time, though, the older memory standard seems to have wandered straight into the blast zone.
The lowest price for the 16GB DDR4 memory module last month was 162,000 won, about €101 or $105.70. It is now sitting near 193,130 won, about €120 or $126.
That increase is sharper than the move seen in 16GB DDR5 memory. DDR5 rose by about 33,100 won, around €21 or $21.60, for a 10 per cent increase in a single month.
DDR4 and DDR5 memory now look set to become even more expensive. DDR4 could be hit harder as Intel and its partners ramp production of DDR4 platforms.
Intel is not just looking to restart production of 10th- to 14th-generation processors. Chipzilla is bringing Raptor Lake Next to meet demand.
Vendors are working with Intel to bring out more DDR4-compatible motherboards. That should push DDR4 demand higher and could keep prices bubbling away like a bad idea in a procurement meeting.
