Old DDR4 Modules Are Now More Expensive Than New Ones, or How AI Is Taking Everything

The AI boom continues to change the electronics market. Industry giants like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron are allocating almost all of their production capacity to ultra-expensive HBM memory, which is essential for AI servers. As a result, factories simply have no space left to manufacture standard PC memory, unexpectedly turning old DDR4 modules into a scarce commodity.

Why Does Outdated Hardware Cost More Than Modern Tech? 

A bizarre anomaly has occurred: legacy DDR4 RAM is currently trading at higher prices than newer, faster DDR5. Compared to the summer of 2016, the cost of a single baseline DDR4 chip has surged from just a few dollars to $25. 

The reason for it is that laptop manufacturers fear being left without components and buy up old RAM in bulk to build up reserves. 

The Issue Has Hit Ordinary Flash Drives As Well 

A similar chaos has struck NAND flash memory. Factories have almost completely shifted to modern 3D memory for high-performance drives, largely abandoning the production of simple previous-generation chips. 

However, these basic chips remain critically necessary for network routers and industrial equipment. Consequently, prices for the simplest memory chips jumped by nearly 30% in a single month. PC and electronics buyers should prepare for another round of component price hikes this fall.