DRAM prices skyrocket 171% year-over-year, outpacing the rate of gold price increases — AI demand drives massive price hikes as shortage takes hold

DRAM prices have surged by 171.8% year-over-year due to high demand from the AI sector, surpassing even gold price increases. The ADATA chairman predicts a bullish market for DRAM in Q4 2025, with severe shortages expected in 2026. Memory price hikes have been consistent throughout 2025, impacting various memory types including DDR5. The industry shift towards datacenter-focused memory is leading to less production of consumer-focused memory, causing prices to rise across the board. This trend is expected to continue for several years, affecting not only DRAM but also NAND flash and hard drive prices.