Korean Memory Market Explodes: Samsung DDR5 Triples in Price as Taiwan Bundles RAM with Motherboards

Samsung DDR5 Prices Skyrocket in Korea, Taiwan Bundles RAM with Motherboards Amidst Global Shortage

The global memory market is currently experiencing a turbulent period, with the rapid escalation of DRAM prices making it increasingly difficult to find DDR5 memory at reasonable costs. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in South Korea, where prices have spiraled beyond sensible levels.

Data from Danawa, a platform that tracks component prices from various Korean retailers, reveals a dramatic surge in the cost of 16GB Samsung DDR5-5600 modules. What cost approximately $47 (69,246 Korean won) in August has now ballooned to around $142 (208,090 Korean won). This represents an astonishing increase of over threefold within a mere three months. Some marketplaces are even listing these modules for as high as $148 (216,500 Korean won), a price point that, just a few months ago, could have secured a premium 32GB DDR5 kit. This stark price inversion, where a single basic module now exceeds the cost of a high-end kit, underscores the severity of the situation.

Widespread Price Hikes and Shifting Market Dynamics

The significant price hikes are not confined to South Korea; other regions are also witnessing substantial increases. On average, DDR5 memory has doubled in price, with individual modules now frequently breaching the $100 mark. For instance, a Corsair Vengeance RGB 16GB 5200 MT/s module is currently priced at approximately $125 on Amazon US. This deficit in DRAM is impacting more than just individual memory sticks for PCs and laptops; prices for mini-PCs, pre-built systems, and even graphics cards are noticeably climbing.

Adding to the market pressure, AMD has reportedly indicated plans to increase graphics card prices due to the rising cost of DRAM, marking the second such announcement since October. The situation shows no signs of stabilizing as long as the demand driven by the AI boom persists. Until this demand begins to wane, memory prices are expected to continue their upward trajectory.

Innovative Sales Strategies Emerge Amidst Scarcity

In response to the escalating shortage and to maximize profits, suppliers are resorting to unconventional sales tactics. In Taiwan, distributors have begun mandating the purchase of a motherboard alongside every DDR5 memory module. This means that even if a consumer only requires a DDR5 stick, they are compelled to buy a motherboard as well. While such bundled sales have been seen before, particularly with hard-to-find processors like the Ryzen 7 9800X3D, the current rationale is different.

Distributors are aiming to clear existing motherboard inventories as new processor generations with updated chipsets are on the horizon. This strategy could prove tempting for major manufacturers like ASUS and MSI. With robust demand for memory and the need to offload potentially less desirable stock, bundling offers a compelling solution. The market has entered a phase of panic buying, with both retailers and consumers scrambling to acquire available stock. The weekly price increases for consumer memory are forcing gamers to postpone their PC upgrade plans, eerily reminiscent of the past when graphics cards and storage drives became scarce and expensive due to the cryptocurrency mining boom.