RAM Shortage Explained: What is Causing this Tech Crisis?

Article Summary 

• A Global RAM Shortage: There is a shortage of RAM (DRAM) and storage (NAND/SSDs) at the moment. The global memory market is tightening as production declines and demand rises. This means higher prices and fewer hardware options, which is challenging for consumers.
• Why Windows 11 Needs More RAM: Windows 11 prioritizes security, multitasking, and AI-assisted features, which consume more memory in the background, placing strain on systems with minimum specs.
• How Long Will the RAM Shortage Last?: Some experts say that memory supply problems will last until 2027, and the market won’t fully stabilize until 2028 at the earliest.
• Why Prices for RAM and SSD Are Going Up: Prices for RAM and SSDs in consumer devices continue to rise due to limited supply, rising production costs, and trade-offs manufacturers face.
• How AI Is Making the Shortage Worse: AI development and data centers use a lot of memory, which makes it harder for consumers to get RAM and increases demand.

Do you want to know why RAM is so expensive right now? The answer is simple. It’s because the RAM shortage in the US and the wider global RAM shortage have returned after easing in 2023. This has created a renewed RAM crisis that is once again affecting everyday users. As a result, many people will be stuck with PC’s that feel slower, and with upgrade costs that are climbing.

At My Computer Works, this has been a hot topic of discussion recently because the computer memory shortage happening behind the scenes is now creating real-world performance problems for our clients. Based on select expert insights, this isn’t just a short-term market wobble or a brief supply hiccup.

Unfortunately, the memory shortage 2025 outlook points to a longer-term shift. This shift is likely to influence memory availability, pricing, and how well modern operating systems work on older hardware. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the causes of the RAM shortages, who will be most affected, and what you and your business should do to navigate this escalating issue.

What Is the RAM Crisis? Memory Shortage Explained

To put it simply, there aren’t enough RAM chips to meet current demand, which is why the RAM Crisis is happening. After a period of oversupply globally, memory manufacturers reduced production. However, since then, demand has rebounded faster than supply can safely scale, creating ongoing pressure across the world’s markets.

Not all of today’s gadgets rely on the same type of memory. Most devices use a combination of NAND flash (for SSDs, smartphones, and external storage) and DRAM (what we commonly call RAM). These are under strain due to the current DRAM and NAND flash shortages. When these shortages occur simultaneously, their effects ripple across the entire tech ecosystem.

As a result, we’re seeing clear signs of an ongoing SSD shortage as well. Together, these factors are contributing directly to the current RAM price increase.

Why Windows 11 Uses More RAM

Windows 11 places higher demands on modern systems because of the current Windows 11 RAM requirements. When compared to earlier versions of Windows, its RAM requirements are higher by design. That choice wasn’t accidental. Microsoft built the operating system with security as its primary focus, so naturally, its RAM requirements are far more significant.

How, you might ask? Well, virtual-based security, core isolation, and real-time threat monitoring quietly reserve memory in the background. Since these protections run continuously, it makes sense that Windows 11 uses more RAM.

However, security isn’t the only thing seemingly gobbling up your PC’s RAM. Often, apps are to blame too. For example, cloud-connected apps rely on more intensive multitasking, and AI-assisted features like Copilot are also RAM-intensive.  In the context of a global RAM shortage, this higher baseline matters because systems that meet only the minimum requirements may technically qualify but often experience performance issues sooner than you might expect.

How Long Will the RAM Shortage Last?

Often, when this topic comes up, the question many people like you and other users ask is “How long will the RAM shortage last?” 

Industry analysts suggest that supply constraints will continue for several years as manufacturers carefully balance production with demand. So, the short of it is prices aren’t going to drop, and the shortage isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. 

How Rising Memory Costs Are Changing PC Design

Rising memory costs don’t just affect prices on the shelf. The ongoing RAM price increase and SSD price increase are also changing how systems are built, since both types of memory rely on the same manufacturing resources and are affected by the same supply pressures.

To keep devices affordable, system builders often respond by shipping laptops and desktops with less RAM or smaller drives. While this lowers the upfront cost, such compromises usually mean the system reaches its limits much sooner than expected, shortening its usable lifespan.

This impact is most noticeable with laptops. The ongoing laptop RAM shortage has made upgrades more difficult and more expensive. At the same time, many newer models ship with soldered memory, which means there are no upgrade options, leaving users locked into hardware that can’t grow with their needs.

How AI Is Contributing to the Shortage

Rising memory costs don’t just affect prices on the shelf. The ongoing RAM price increase and SSD price increase are also changing how systems are built. We hate to say it, but this is because both types of memory rely on the same manufacturing resources and are affected by the same supply pressures.

With this in mind, to keep devices affordable, system builders are responding by shipping laptops and desktops with less RAM or smaller drives. While this lowers the upfront cost, such compromises usually mean the system reaches its limits much sooner than expected, shortening its usable lifespan. This impact is (sadly) most noticeable with laptops. 

It’s also worth knowing that many newer models ship with soldered memory (yes, really), which means there are no upgrade options, leaving you locked into hardware that can’t grow with your needs.

Who Does This Affect? (Short Answer: Everyone)

The RAM shortage problem isn’t limited to gamers or people running intensive applications. Since higher memory costs, tighter supply, and rising software requirements affect nearly all new devices, the impact reaches almost everyone…yes, you included.

Students looking for laptops may notice higher prices paired with lower specs. Small businesses often have less budget flexibility, and everyday users who upgrade to Windows 11 may find that their systems slow down more quickly than expected.

What Consumers and Businesses Should Do Now

Right now, in our opinion at My Computer Works, planning ahead matters more than reacting when something on your computer breaks or slows down. With memory prices seemingly ever-increasing and systems demanding more RAM, choosing hardware that goes beyond the bare minimum is incredibly important. This is especially true considering the Windows 11 requirements nowadays.

For businesses, this shift means thinking a bit further ahead about budgets and replacement cycles. You also need to consider regular maintenance to help devices last longer and reduce the chances of surprise replacements. For individuals, this means you need to really think about what you need to use your PC for now and in a few years from now to keep meeting your tech demands.

How My Computer Works Can Help

Unfortunately, picking the right computer isn’t as easy a process as it used to be. If you’ve learned anything in this blog, it’s that external influences like RAM shortages can also impact the type of computer you purchase. Fortunately, we can help. 

My Computer Works helps people and businesses sort through that confusion. When you work with our expert team here, we’ll look at how your system is actually used and what will keep it running well over time. If your computer feels slow or you’re thinking about upgrading during the current RAM shortage, getting clear, practical advice now can help you avoid wasted money and frustration later.