Prices for PC components are always up and down, but 2025 has been the most unpredictable year for the hardware market. This year's economic and technological trends — such as the boom of AI data centers, global supply chain issues, and software demand for Windows 11 — are all creating a "perfect storm," as prices for critical PC parts continue to rise rapidly.
Let's see which components are more expensive and why.
Memory (RAM): Fastest Rising Prices
The biggest price jump in 2025 has been seen in RAM – whether DDR4 or DDR5. Normally, RAM prices fluctuate in cycles, but this year a record has been set.
According to reports, DDR4 kit prices rose about 115% and DDR5 kits jumped around 94%. The broader DRAM market has grown by 171% year-on-year – even analysts are surprised.
The reasons for this are:
- The boom of AI data centers – big tech companies are buying server-grade memory for AI models, reducing the supply of consumer RAM.
- Gaming and Windows 11 demand – users require faster and larger memory, which raises demand even more.
- Production issues – shifts to DDR5 production lines have reduced older DDR4 output, and supply-chain bottlenecks have added pressure.
Solid-State Drives (SSDs): The Combo of Scarcity and AI Demand
In 2025, SSD prices also increased significantly — especially NAND flash drives. Like RAM, this is largely a supply vs. demand problem. Both AI servers and high-end consumers are buying high-performance SSDs, which has tightened the market.
Some highlights:
- Server SSD prices have increased by up to 35% in a year.
- Consumer SSDs are gradually becoming more expensive, and experts predict this trend will continue through the end of 2025.
For users building or upgrading PCs, finding cheap storage options has become harder.
Graphics Cards (GPU): Demand Is Still High
After RAM and SSDs, GPUs also remain expensive. Although the price jump wasn't as extreme as RAM and SSDs, many GPUs are still selling above MSRP. New GPUs are snapped up quickly by gamers, AI developers, video editors, and 3D artists — so mid-range and high-end cards are often out of stock or overpriced, especially in countries with high import duties.
Crypto mining demand has eased a bit, but increased AI research and cloud gaming infrastructure have kept GPU demand elevated.
⚙️ Other Factors That Are Exacerbating the Problem
- Supply chain delays – shipping backlogs, labour shortages, and lockdowns are causing parts to reach customers late.
- Import duty – higher taxes on components (motherboards, PSUs, etc.) imported from China have pushed retail prices up.
- Shortage of raw materials – semiconductors and rare earth metals have become more expensive.
- Windows 11 upgrade wave – many companies are upgrading PCs in bulk, which further strains supply.
CPU, Motherboard, and Other Components
CPU and motherboard prices have increased too, but not as sharply as RAM and SSDs. Intel and AMD have managed production reasonably well, so the market is relatively stable — though top-tier, high-performance models remain pricey. Power supplies, cases, and cooling solutions have seen smaller rises tied to shipping and material costs, but not to crisis levels.
Conclusion: PC Building Is Costlier in 2025
If you're planning to build or upgrade a PC, 2025 is a tough year. The most dramatic increases are in RAM and SSDs, with GPUs following closely. The rapid expansion of AI, Windows 11 upgrades, and ongoing global supply chain issues are unlikely to disappear quickly — which means price volatility for PC parts may persist into 2026.
Whether you're a gamer or a professional, building a PC now requires patience and budget planning.
