So I was just browsing Amazon and checking out some RAM.. Somewhere along the way, 32GB of DDR5 RAM became more expensive than a PS5. One is full gaming console built for entertainment. The other is two pieces of memory that politely ask for $500 so Google Chrome can behave. Data centers are hoarding memory for A.I., prices are climbing, and now panic buying is kicking in. So here we are competing with tech giants and their supercomputers.

The Next-gen consoles is probably heading in the same direction since they use RAM too.

Yep. All those tech companies rushing to build AI centers have really messed up the memory market and we, poor consumers, get f*cked. And well, unless the bubble pops (**fingers crossed**) it's not going to get any better until, at best, 2027.

Current consoles will feel it too, it won't be long before they rise their prices because of it since it's all memory that's affected, both RAM and storage, and if it last long enough, next-gen consoles will be delayed, be more expensive and/or ship with less memory than initially planned.

Used DDR4 is the only way to build right now. But even that has shot up. I bought 2x16gb 3000mhz sticks for £40 in November for a friend's budget build from CEX.

For 16gb sticks CEX now only has two in stock, 3600mhz for £42 and 3200mhz for £80 lol... So probably going to be looking at £150+ for 32gb of DDR4 soon, that 3600mhz will go out of stock or change price fast.

AI data centers are driving up prices. Glad I built my computer when I did and the ps5 will have a longer generation than normal.

Unless you want the freedom of a PC, get a PS5. Shoot, the overpriced PS5 Pro would probably be a better choice. And it would've been for sure when it was on sale recently.

If someone thinks they'll buy a console this year they should make sure to do so before they get more expensive cause of this. On the PC side if you can get a good deal on a pre-built that's likely the best option right now though those will get harder to come by going forward compared to the previous couple months. On my end I sure am glad I decided to spend an extra £100 to get 64GB of RAM for £200 instead of going for 32GB back in March. My PC would be like £600 more expensive if I built it now and about £200 more expensive even if I downgraded to 32GB.

Gotta love the push for AI, even though the current AI is limited in how useful it is due to its unreliability.

Anyway, might be the least terrible time to get a console in a while too. Consoles will probably be affected too sooner or later.