A 64 GB Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 memory kit now costs $1,499.99 at Microcenter retail stores. The kit includes two 32 GB memory modules running at speeds up to 6000 MT/s. A smaller 32 GB configuration of the same Corsair kit is currently selling for $599.99.
The pricing represents a steep increase compared to a few years ago when similar desktop memory kits sold for between $100 and $210. PC builders looking to configure high-capacity builds can read our guide to the best 64GB RAM laptops to find pre-built options. However, desktop upgrades are becoming increasingly difficult to justify due to these rising costs.
Also read: Best 32GB RAM Laptops for Multitasking and Gaming
The main reason for this shortage is the high demand for memory chips from data centers and artificial intelligence companies. Major semiconductor manufacturers have redirected their primary production capacities to produce high-bandwidth HBM memory for AI graphics processors. This shift has led to a sharp drop in the supply of standard consumer DDR5 memory for desktop PCs.
Market analysts estimate that DRAM contract prices increased by 98% in the first quarter of 2026. This shortage has increased the overall cost of components in pre-built computers by 15% to 20%. The pricing crisis threatens to slow down the adoption of newer computing platforms for mainstream desktop builders.
Consumers are expressing widespread dissatisfaction with current manufacturer pricing policies. On the r/pcmasterrace subreddit, users shared photos of the Microcenter prices and warned other builders about the high costs. Many players are canceling their upgrade plans since a single memory kit now costs as much as a complete high-performance desktop from previous years.
The ongoing crisis could force gamers to keep older hardware configurations for longer or consider alternative cloud gaming options. Retailers have not indicated when prices might stabilize or if supply will improve soon. The high costs are expected to impact the hardware market throughout the rest of the year.
Source: Reddit
