I'm really new to building PCs and started planning my setup a few months ago. I had selected all the parts, including RAM, but decided to wait until after Christmas to buy them to save some money. Now I've noticed that the RAM I wanted has gone up by over £300. I'm wondering if it's smart to gradually buy the other components and hope the RAM prices will drop soon, or if I should just go ahead and buy it now to avoid further price increases. What do you think?
5 Answers
The bottom line is, you either buy now and pay a premium or hold off and risk higher costs later. Unfortunately, the overall consensus is that prices for memory won't see major drops anytime soon; it could be a lot longer before we see any relief.
If you're in a rush, buying now might be your best bet despite the premium. Delaying could lead to even higher prices down the road, so it really comes down to your financial situation and how urgently you need the parts.
It's generally not a good idea to buy components gradually. If you're piecemealing your build, you might end up with parts that are incompatible, and once you've assembled everything, you might miss the return window for any faulty components.
Given the current situation, it's looking like RAM prices could get worse before they improve. With manufacturers cutting back production and potential shortages, it might be a rough ride for a while. It's possible prices might not stabilize until late 2027 or even 2028, so waiting might not benefit you in the long run.
It’s hard to advise with certainty, but many believe RAM prices won't return to normal for quite a while. You might see brief dips in prices, but overall, expect higher prices, especially considering the market trends. If you're looking for affordable options, I'd recommend checking out kits like V-Color's Manta; they’re decent and well-priced right now. Let me know if you need help optimizing them if you decide to buy!
Thanks! I found one but it’s unavailable right now. I'll keep searching. 🙂
Yeah, seems like this is a repeat of the GPU crisis from a while back. Not great news.