DRAM Price Hikes Persist in Q4 2025 as Server Demand and Legacy Process Constraints Drive Increases

TrendForce reports that DRAM prices are set to rise 8–13% quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of 2025, with increases potentially reaching 13–18% when including high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The three major DRAM suppliers are prioritizing advanced process capacity for high-end server DRAM and HBM, limiting availability for PC, mobile, and consumer applications, leading to steeper price hikes for legacy-process products compared to newer-generation ones.

In the PC DRAM segment, shipments of finished PCs are expected to decline in Q4 2025 due to slowing promotions and restocking, prompting major OEMs to reduce DRAM bit procurement. The shift of supplier capacity toward server DDR5 has constrained the supply of PC DDR5 and DDR4, resulting in continued upward pressure on PC DRAM prices.

Server DRAM demand is driven by recovering build-out momentum among cloud service providers (CSPs), particularly for DDR5 products. U.S. and other CSPs are projected to significantly increase procurement in 2026, with some U.S. CSPs planning to start as early as Q4 2025, adopting flexible pricing strategies. Technical issues at certain vendors and plans to prioritize HBM4 capacity in the first half of 2026 create uncertainties in DDR5 supply, keeping prices on an upward trend. DDR4 production continues for specific clients, but strong demand sustains significant pric...