I've just purchased almost all the components for my first gaming PC, but I'm still deciding on RAM and storage. A few months ago, I planned to get 32 GB of DDR5 and 2 TB of storage. However, since RAM prices are extremely high right now, I'm considering going with 16 GB (2x8 GB DDR5 at 4800 MHz), which is the best deal I can find since I live in a country where options are limited. My build includes a Ryzen 5 9600X, an RX 9060 XT 16GB, and a B850 motherboard, but I'm on a tight budget. Should I just settle for the 16 GB RAM now, or is it worth waiting for prices to potentially drop?
5 Answers
Right now, there’s no such thing as a budget build with RAM prices the way they are. If you don’t need your PC immediately, it might be smarter to wait a little longer and see if prices come down.
I'd say just bite the bullet on this. Sure, it might cost a bit more now, but if prices stay up for months, you're essentially paying about $10 a month for what could be a larger investment in the long run. If you really need it, it’s probably better to just buy now.
It's really unpredictable, but I wouldn’t pay the current prices for RAM unless absolutely necessary. Anyone claiming to know what the prices will be like in a year is probably just guessing. You can take the risk now or wait and hope for the best.
You should be fine with 16 GB for the time being. No one knows how long this RAM shortage will last, but if you can find 32 GB at a reasonable price, go for it! If not, then 16 GB is your way to go.
Honestly, prices aren't likely to drop anytime soon and might even go up further. 16 GB isn't ideal, but if that's your budget, you may not have any other option unless you can save up more—which could lead to even higher prices later. If you hadn’t already bought your other parts, I’d suggest opting for DDR4 instead, but now it’s probably too late for that.
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