Memory prices continue to explode, AMD is contemplating new old AM4 CPUs
Memory manufacturers are tightening the screws further. AMD could bring back discontinued AM4 processors for relief.
(Image: Andreas Wodrich / heise online)
Prices for RAM and SSDs are expected to rise significantly in the coming months. Increases of up to 70 percent are being discussed. They affect all types of memory, though some more strongly than others. For NAND flash for SSDs, for example, increases of up to 38 percent are mentioned.
The 70 percent figure is brought into discussion by The Korea Economic Daily. According to the newspaper, South Korean manufacturers Samsung and SK Hynix intend to raise contract prices for server DRAM in the first quarter to such an extent compared to the end of 2025.
Server memory is in particularly high demand due to the many new AI data centers. So far, price increases have been more moderate there than in retail for desktop PC RAM, also because manufacturers have increasingly focused their production on server products. As a result, fewer memory modules have been available for desktop PCs, notebooks, smartphones, and other devices for months.
Across the industry, market observers estimate DRAM price increases at 55 to 60 percent (Trendforce) or 40 to 50 percent (Counterpoint) in the first quarter. This is explicitly expected to include memory modules for desktop PCs and notebooks once again.
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AMD could bring back Ryzen 5000 CPUs
To at least somewhat alleviate the price situation, AMD is currently considering reintroducing older AM4 processors. This was revealed by AMD's head of the Ryzen division, David McAfee, to US media such as Tom's Hardware at the CES tech trade show.
Previously popular models like the gaming eight-core Ryzen 7 5700X3D are currently no longer available. Since AM4 still uses DDR4 RAM, at least those interested who still have corresponding modules left could upgrade cost-effectively.
New buyers would at least save some money: 32 GB DDR4 (starting from 219,88 €) currently costs more than a third less than 32 GB DDR5. Additionally, AM4 motherboards are cheaper than AM5 models.
On the other hand, the Ryzen 5000 series with Zen 3 architecture is by no means the fastest anymore. AMD has since introduced the Ryzen 7000 and Ryzen 9000.
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