RAM and SSD prices are climbing again, with Framework warning that memory and storage costs will remain elevated through 2026 as artificial intelligence demand continues to strain the supply chain. The modular laptop maker issued its latest monthly pricing update revealing a complex picture: smaller price increases in March suggest a potential plateau, yet Framework still expects further rises ahead.
Key Takeaways
- DDR5 RAM prices rose 8.3-12.5% in March 2026, the smallest increase in three months, signaling possible stabilization.
- Framework raised DDR5 pricing from $10-$13/GB in December to $13-$18/GB by March 2026, a cumulative 166% spike since July 2025.
- High-capacity SSDs (2TB, 4TB, 8TB) are available at substantially below-market prices, with Framework urging immediate purchases.
- Pre-built system pricing held flat this month but increases are anticipated as LPDDR5x costs continue climbing.
- AI-driven demand for memory chips is the primary driver behind the sustained price pressure through 2026.
RAM and SSD prices show signs of stabilization, but relief is temporary
March’s price increases were smaller than the previous two months, offering a glimmer of hope in an otherwise grim supply landscape. DDR5 SO-DIMM pricing climbed just 8.3-12.5% from February to March, compared to 20-24% the month before. This deceleration does not signal a reversal—Framework still warns of further increases through 2026—but it suggests the steepest part of the climb may be flattening.
The trajectory tells a sobering story for anyone building or upgrading a modular laptop. In July 2025, DDR5 SO-DIMM RAM cost $3.75-$5 per gigabyte. By December, that had jumped to $10-$13/GB, a 166% increase in just five months. March’s prices of $13-$18/GB represent a cumulative spike that has outpaced inflation, wage growth, and almost any other component category. Framework is not raising prices for the sake of margin—the company explicitly states it is “only increasing pricing enough to cover the increases in cost from our suppliers”.
SSD pricing offers a rare bargain amid the memory crisis
While RAM costs are punishing, SSDs present an unexpected opportunity. Framework is currently selling high-capacity storage—including 2TB, 4TB, and 8TB configurations of the SN850X—at prices substantially below what you would pay on the open market. The company is actively urging customers to buy now, a clear signal that this pricing advantage is temporary and inventory is limited.
For Framework Laptop DIY Edition buyers, this creates a strategic decision: purchasing Framework’s SSD modules now locks in below-market pricing, whereas waiting risks higher costs later. The company notes that some retail SSDs are available cheaper elsewhere, so comparison shopping remains wise. But for those committed to Framework’s ecosystem, the current SSD pricing window is genuinely rare.
AI demand is the invisible hand driving the memory crisis
The root cause is not a manufacturing shortage in the traditional sense—it is a demand shock. Artificial intelligence training and inference workloads are consuming memory chips at unprecedented rates, pushing prices upward even as foundries increase production. Framework’s monthly updates make clear this is not a temporary blip but a structural shift expected to persist through 2026.
This is where Framework’s modular design becomes both blessing and curse. Customers can upgrade memory and storage independently, avoiding the need to replace an entire system when prices eventually stabilize. But that same modularity means Framework must pass supplier cost increases directly to customers, with no ability to absorb them through economies of scale that larger manufacturers might leverage.
Pre-built systems hold the line, but not for long
Framework managed to hold pre-built system pricing flat in March, a small victory that will not last. The company has already repriced Framework Desktop and some Framework Laptop 16 configurations due to LPDDR5x memory cost increases of 6-16%. Remaining pre-built options for Laptop 13, 16, and 12 are expected to follow. The company is transparent about this: “We do anticipate increases in the future”.
One silver lining: a 128GB Framework Desktop configuration is currently described as a bargain due to delayed repricing, though this advantage will evaporate once the next round of updates rolls out. This is not a deal to sit on.
What this means for laptop buyers in 2025 and 2026
If you are considering a modular laptop or desktop from Framework, the timing calculus has shifted. Waiting for prices to drop is a losing bet—Framework is explicitly warning that prices will rise through 2026. For DIY Edition buyers, locking in SSD pricing now makes sense. For those buying pre-built systems, expect the next price increase within weeks or months, not quarters.
The memory crisis is not Framework’s alone. Every laptop maker, every system integrator, and every PC builder is facing the same supplier cost pressures. Framework is simply more transparent about it, publishing monthly updates that most competitors would bury in footnotes or pass along silently at checkout. That honesty does not make the price increases any easier to swallow, but it does give buyers the information they need to make an informed decision about when to buy.
Will RAM and SSD prices ever come back down?
Framework’s warnings extend through 2026, but the company does not explicitly predict when prices will stabilize or decline. The answer depends on AI demand cooling and memory chip supply catching up—neither of which shows signs of happening soon. Historically, memory prices have been cyclical, but the current AI-driven demand is unlike anything the industry has seen before.
Should I buy a Framework laptop now or wait for prices to drop?
If you need a laptop now, buy it. Framework’s own guidance suggests prices will only rise from here through 2026. Waiting for a price drop is unlikely to pay off. If you are flexible on timing, the next few weeks represent your last window before the next round of increases hits pre-built systems.
Are Framework SSDs cheaper than buying them separately?
Currently, yes—Framework is selling high-capacity SSDs substantially below market rates. However, the company notes that some retail parts are available cheaper elsewhere, so compare before committing. The advantage will not last, so if you find Framework’s pricing competitive, buy now rather than hoping for future discounts.
The memory and storage crisis is real, persistent, and expected to worsen through 2026. Framework’s transparency about supplier cost increases is refreshing, but it also underscores a hard truth: there is no relief coming soon. Buy now, or accept higher prices later.
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: Tom's Hardware
