AMD exec says DDR5 RAM pricing won't normalize until 2028 and it's sad that given other predictions, I feel this is overly optimistic

Date:
Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:30:00 +0000

Description:
Is now the time to buy a laptop, before bigger price hikes kick in? I'm becoming more convinced about that theory.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter AMD's David McAfee expects DDR5 RAM prices to 'recover slowly in the future' However, the exec added that
DDR5 won't return to 'normal' pricing levels for some two years Meanwhile chatter from the rumor mill claims Lenovo is going to implement another sizeable round of price hikes with its PCs An AMD exec has told us that DDR5 RAM pricing isn't likely to normalize until 2028, and in other news, fresh from the memory and wider component crisis, Lenovo seemingly has more price hikes in the works for its PCs.

Let's start with the AMD story. VideoCardz flagged up the interview that 4Gamers conducted at Computex 2026 , in which the Taiwanese site spoke with David McAfee, who is VP and general manager of Ryzen CPU and Radeon Graphics. When questioned on the memory shortage (bearing in mind translation issues with the article), McAfee said he expects prices to 'recover slowly in the future' but that DDR5 RAM won't return to normal pricing levels for about another two years. Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

VideoCardz also highlighted a post on X from leaker Harukaze5719 , which in turn points to a report from Sina Finance in China that tells a separate tale of the Lenovo price hikes.

Obviously, this is just whispers from the rumor mill, but the theory is that Lenovo plans to jack up prices in China by the equivalent of $150 in July. This applies to its PCs and laptops, and, in fact, to every product line Lenovo sells, we're told (though common sense would indicate that cheap peripherals, like a basic Lenovo mouse, won't get a $150 price hike). You may like SK Group chairman's bleak warning on RAM crisis: it could last until
2030 MSI exec calls 2026 the 'most challenging year' ever due to RAM crisis The RAM crisis will last 'quite a few years' says Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

While this is a (rumored) move over in Asia, it would clearly make sense that mirroring cost increases in the same order (perhaps even a bit more) would be implemented in other regions. Analysis: more urgency for laptop buyers?
(Image credit: Asier Romero / Shutterstock) The AMD exec has essentially thrown his lot in with the forecasters who see the RAM crisis ebbing away during 2028. While that still means it has a fair way to go, this is actually a relatively optimistic prediction compared to some more recent thoughts notably from Nvidia 's CEO. Jensen Huang said the memory crisis will last " quite a few years ", suggesting that we may have to be patient until 2029 or 2030 to see the worst of this over. Others have guessed that we'll be sailing rough waters with RAM pricing until 2030, too. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

The sad truth is that at this point, if I could have a guaranteed end-in-2028 outcome for these RAM woes (somehow), I'd take that prospect and run. Of course, there's the question of what McAfee means exactly by returning to 'normal levels', complicated by the fact that this is a translated interview. Broadly speaking, I assume this means that prices will drop back down to more palatable levels relative to now though I don't see them ever returning to pre-crisis levels, frankly.

It's a bleak old outlook, for sure, although there is some hope in Chinese memory chip makers tackling the RAM shortfall to some extent with increased production from these Asian giants. McAfee alludes to this when mentioning Changxin Memory in China increasing its DDR5 production capacity, but others notably Huang seem distinctly unswayed by such arguments.

A lot, of course, could rest on what happens with AI going forward. However, with predictions of increased memory demands one way or another in that
sphere and no remote indication of the AI 'bubble' bursting, or clever tech innovations helping out as much as some folks think they might I'm not optimistic on the whole.

On top of this, the news from Lenovo is a further blow. If you recall, the computer giant already hiked PC prices earlier this year , and so this is another helping of RAM crisis-related cost rises for laptops and desktops
(and other hardware besides, apparently).

As I've been discussing recently, after the Nvidia CEO's recent end-of-decade prediction for the extent of the memory crisis, now really does seem to be
the right time to buy a laptop . The news that Lenovo may be about to pull
the trigger on yet more substantial PC price rises only puts more urgency
into that theory, because this surely won't happen in isolation among PC vendors. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. The best laptops for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best laptops 1. Best overall: Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M5 2. Best budget: Apple MacBook Neo 3. Best Windows 11 laptop Microsoft Surface Laptop 13-inch 4. Best thin and light: Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i 5. Best Ultrabook Asus Zenbook S 16



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/memory/amd-exec-says-ddr5-ram-pricing-wont -normalize-until-2028-and-its-sad-that-given-other-predictions-i-feel-this-is- overly-optimistic


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