The RAM crisis is a global supply shortage that started when the memory demand of artificial intelligence data centers exceeded the production capacity and deepened throughout 2026.
ADATA Chairman Li-bai said that the memory shortage could last at least 10 years. As of November 2026, two new headlines have been added to the table: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's remarks calling RAM in personal computers "wasteful" and the new bottleneck in the printed circuit boards (PCBs) on which memory modules sit.
In short, RAM prices do not seem to decrease in the short term. Below you can find why the prices increased, the industry's predictions about how long the crisis will last, and the current DDR5 prices in Türkiye.
Why Are RAM Prices Increasing?
The main reason is that manufacturers such as Samsung, SK hynix and Micron are shifting limited production capacity to high-profit data center memory, especially HBM chips used in artificial intelligence accelerators. Producing HBM from a wafer consumes much more capacity than producing standard DDR5 from the same wafer. That's why the share allocated for computers and phones is shrinking.
On the demand side, artificial intelligence companies are making major purchases. According to reports from Tom's Hardware, OpenAI's preliminary agreements with Samsung and SK hynix for the Stargate project cover up to 900 thousand DRAM wafers per month. This corresponds to approximately 40 percent of global DRAM production. We explained in detail how this situation started in our article about the RAM crisis that broke out due to artificial intelligence.
The price increase was also reflected on producers. While memory prices are rising, companies' profits have hit record levels, leaving no strong reason for manufacturers to prioritize the consumer market. We covered this issue in our news that high RAM prices brought record profits to manufacturers.
What Did Sam Altman Say About RAM?
Sam Altman evaluated the running of artificial intelligence models on personal devices in the Cheeky Pint podcast hosted by Stripe's co-founder John Collison. According to The Verge, Altman said in English: "From a global distribution standpoint, it's actually pretty bad that everyone keeps some of the world's limited supply of DRAM in their own computer and it's used 5 percent of the time. You want the highest utilization rate in the cloud."
Altman's words were said specifically in the context of running local AI, that is, processing models on the user's own computer without connecting to the cloud. Still, at a time when memory prices are breaking records, this comment from the head of one of the world's largest RAM buyers attracted reaction among users. Our comment is this: Although Altman's perspective means efficiency for cloud companies, the need for local memory does not disappear on the user side for reasons such as data privacy, internet independence and subscription costs.
What is the PCB Crisis and How Does It Affect RAM Prices?
The new ring of the RAM crisis is printed circuit boards. According to Nikkei Asia's news dated October 27, 2026, demand for artificial intelligence servers is straining the supply of PCBs and their main raw material, copper clad laminate (CCL). According to the report, delivery times for some types of PCBs have extended up to 30 months, and one supplier says it will not be able to deliver new orders before the end of 2028.
A Taiwanese PC maker says CCL costs have increased at least 12-fold since July.
A leading CCL supplier's order book is full by 2030 despite plans to triple its capacity by 2028.
It is reported that manufacturers such as HP and Dell are worried about 2027 supply.
Since RAM modules, graphics cards and motherboards are manufactured on PCBs, this problem adds an additional layer of cost to already expensive memory chips.
When Will the RAM Crisis End?
Forecasts from the industry do not foresee relief in the short term. According to the September 30, 2026 forecast of market research company TrendForce, standard DRAM contract prices will increase by 10 to 15 percent in the last quarter of 2026 compared to the previous quarter, and NAND prices will increase by 15 to 20 percent. The company states that the supply of DRAM allocated for PC may decrease in 2027 as production capacity shifts to servers, and memory supply will remain tight throughout 2027.
Longer-term forecasts are similar. While SK hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung said that 2027 will be the peak of the crisis, SK Group President Chey Tae-won stated that the memory problem may not be fully resolved until 2030. ADATA's 10-year warning is the most pessimistic of these predictions. We reported that Samsung made a similar warning for 2027 in our news about Samsung's 2027 RAM crisis warning.
Supply is expected to increase as new factories come online, but it takes years for a semiconductor facility to be built and reach full capacity. Therefore, even in the most optimistic scenario, it seems difficult to expect a significant price decline before 2027.
Current DDR5 RAM Prices in Türkiye (November 2026)
The prices of popular desktop DDR5 memory kits, according to the lowest prices listed on Akakçe as of November 1, 2026, are as follows:
Samsung 8 GB DDR5 4800 MHz: 7.378 TL
Crucial 16 GB DDR5 5600 MHz: 14.693 TL
Kingston Fury Beast 16 GB DDR5 5600 MHz: 16.966 TL
Crucial 32 GB (2x16) DDR5 6400 MHz CL52: 22.699 TL
Corsair Vengeance 32 GB DDR5 6400 MHz CL36: 33.758 TL
Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB DDR5 6000 MHz CL30: 33.949 TL
Kingston Beast Expo 32 GB DDR5 6000 MHz CL30: 35.999 TL
Corsair Vengeance RGB 32 GB DDR5 6000 MHz CL36: 37.646 TL
Prices may change during the day depending on the seller and stock status. Most of the 32 GB DDR5 kits, which have become the standard for gaming computers, are now sold for over 30 thousand TL.
Should You Wait to Buy RAM?
If you really need RAM, waiting may not be a big advantage, as current forecasts point to prices remaining high through at least 2027. Here are a few suggestions for system assemblers:
For daily use and gaming, a structure suitable for starting with 16 GB instead of 32 GB and adding a second module in the future can be established.
Instead of high frequency and low latency kits, modules at standard JEDEC speeds create a significant price difference.
If you have a DDR4-supported system, adding memory without switching platforms is also an option, but DDR4 prices have also increased with the decrease in production.
To learn what memory is for and how much of it you need, you can take a look at our guide on what RAM is and what it does.
When do you think the RAM crisis will end? Do you agree with Sam Altman's interpretation of local memory? You can share your opinions in the comments.
