RAM
Ongoing coverage on RAM.
Latest coverage
Why does this sort of thing never happen to me? Redditor says they found $10,000 worth of RAM just sitting in their…
A Redditor discovered approximately $7,200 USD worth of RAM, likely from an old work server, in their garage. The find highlights the value of server memory, which is often incompatible with standard desktop PCs, and touches on the current demand driven by AI data centers.
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE vs S25 FE: Why is the new model more expensive?
This article compares the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE and S25 FE, investigating the reasons behind the new model's $50 price increase. It explores whether the higher cost is solely due to an increase in RAM.
GeForce NOW comes to Linux, as Nvidia's game streaming service exits beta
Nvidia's cloud gaming service, GeForce NOW, has officially exited its beta phase for Linux users, offering a native application with improved performance and stability. This release allows Linux users to stream games with graphical fidelity up to RTX 5080 levels. The service also added nine new games, including Hell Let Loose: Vietnam, bringing the total compatible titles to over 4,500, though a 100-hour monthly streaming cap is now in effect for all users.
A researcher says 'we just undid about 20 years of progress' when it comes to memory prices, so I broke out my calculator and compared actual RAM kits from 2007 to 2026
A researcher notes that current RAM prices have reversed approximately 20 years of progress, making memory as expensive per unit as it was in 2007. While the price per gigabyte is technically lower today, the cost to acquire a 'good' amount of RAM for a gaming PC has significantly increased compared to previous years, largely due to a global memory shortage.
Dell XPS 13 (2026) review: A MacBook Neo alternative that needs more RAM
The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is presented as a strong alternative to MacBook models, though a recommendation is made to opt for the 16GB RAM configuration for optimal performance. The review highlights several positive aspects of the laptop.
Funny that, Microsoft no longer recommends 32GB RAM for gaming laptops
Microsoft has quietly removed its recommendation for 32GB of RAM for high-end PC gaming setups from its documentation. This change comes as older gaming laptops with 8GB RAM are becoming more prevalent, and while 32GB is still considered ideal for future-proofing and demanding titles, the company's shift suggests a move towards lower-memory configurations in the market.
Evening Tech Bits
Meta is reportedly using older DDR4 RAM in DDR5 servers with a custom chip, addressing a RAM crisis. Separately, the Trump Administration is exempting data centers from pollution laws aimed at preventing acid rain.
GPU prices are climbing again, and blame the memory chips, not the graphics silicon
GPU prices are expected to increase due to rising costs of memory chips, specifically GDDR6 and GDDR7, rather than the graphics silicon itself. Nvidia has reportedly informed its board partners of upcoming price hikes for GPU kits. This situation may lead manufacturers to focus on more expensive premium cards, potentially reducing the availability of budget-friendly entry-level options.
I'm just glad Samsung's price hikes weren't worse
The author expresses relief that Samsung's recent price increases were not more substantial, indicating a general expectation of significant price hikes. The article implies that the current price adjustments are perceived as relatively minor in the context of potential market changes.
How much RAM do you need for an 'ultimate gaming machine?' July in PC Gamer 10, 20, and 30 years ago
This article looks back at past issues of PC Gamer magazine from July 1996, 2006, and 2016, highlighting discussions on RAM, PC hardware, and notable game releases and previews. It contrasts the hardware recommendations of the past with current standards and reflects on the evolution of gaming technology, including the rise and fall of VR excitement and the challenges of launching new multiplayer FPS titles.
What memory crisis? 79% of PC Gamer readers are rocking 32 GB or more RAM in their gaming rigs
A survey by PC Gamer reveals that 79% of its readers have 32 GB of RAM or more in their gaming PCs, with 50% specifically having 32 GB. This data contrasts with industry concerns about memory shortages and rising prices, indicating that PC gamers have largely equipped themselves with ample RAM. The article also touches on the broader impact of the memory crisis on other PC components and peripherals.
Hardware Reviews
This article presents reviews for two hardware components: the Alienware AW3226DM monitor/projector by Vortez, and the XPG Lancer Blade RGB DDR5-5600 16 GB CL46 RAM by TechPowerUp.
If you wanted to see how much single channel RAM affects your iGPU this Geekom mini PC delivers
The Geekom A9 Max Mini PC features a powerful AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470 CPU and Radeon 890M integrated graphics, but its single-channel 32GB DDR5 RAM configuration severely hampers real-world performance, especially in gaming. Despite its impressive design, connectivity, and AI capabilities, the high price and memory bottleneck make it lag behind competitors that cost half as much.
As the memory crisis continues and players begin to complain, Cinder City drops 64GB RAM requirement and ups GPU requirement instead
Developer NC has adjusted the PC system requirements for the upcoming co-op shooter Cinder City following player complaints about its high RAM demands. The minimum and recommended RAM requirement was lowered from 64GB to 32GB, while the recommended GPU was increased from an RTX 4060 to an RTX 4070. The developer stated that final requirements may be lower after further optimization.
Never mind the RAM crisis, this Acer gaming laptop comes with 32GB memory and an RTX 5070 Ti for $300 off
A deal offers the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI gaming laptop with 32GB RAM and an RTX 5070 Ti GPU for $1,899.99, a $300 discount. This configuration provides strong performance for demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and is noted as a good value compared to other laptops with similar or lesser specifications.
Sunday Tech Bits
This article rounds up several tech news items, including Intel's Z990 chipset focusing on Gen5 with reduced die size and increased power consumption, and Microsoft's admission of Linux's influence with Coreutils for Windows. It also briefly mentions RAM.
Hardware Reviews
This review examines the Biwin Black Opal DW100 DDR5-6000 CL28 48GB RAM kit, questioning the necessity of faster DDR5 memory for typical users. The article provides an in-depth look at its performance and value proposition.
Microsoft plans to launch a cheaper 8 GB Surface laptop later this year which won't meet the requirements of a…
Microsoft is planning to release a cheaper 13-inch Surface laptop later this year with 8 GB of RAM, starting at $1,300. This configuration will not meet the minimum requirements for a Copilot+ PC, which mandates 16 GB of RAM. The new models will feature Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips, with higher-end versions offering 16 GB or 24 GB of RAM starting at $1,500.
Lenovo’s most powerful RTX 5090 gaming PC just dropped to a record-low price
Lenovo's high-end Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 gaming PC, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor and an RTX 5090 GPU, has reached a record low price of $4657.49 with a discount code. This configuration includes 64GB of DDR5 RAM and a 2TB SSD, offering substantial performance for gaming and content creation. The article highlights the power of the RTX 5090 and DLSS 4.5 technology, noting that building a similar PC would be more expensive.
A Global Tech Shortage Causes A Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 by $50 USD to $500 USD starting September 1 due to a global RAM shortage impacting the tech industry. This price hike follows similar adjustments by Sony for the PlayStation line and potential increases for Xbox Series X|S. The shortage is driven by high demand for AI data centers, affecting components like RAM and SSDs.
