One of the most tangible consequences of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence technologies has been the rise in memory (RAM) prices to record levels. So much so that the price tags of some high-performance memory modules are now practically rivaling those of graphics cards. This situation is severely impacting gamers, especially those looking to build a new computer or upgrade their existing systems.

RAM Prices Have Reached Their Peak

Memory manufacturers’ inability to meet the increasing demand, and the resulting constant price hikes, was wearing gamers’ patience thin. Faced with this unstoppable price increase, gamers united and launched a boycott movement as a solution.

On numerous social media platforms, especially Reddit, gamers were urging them to cancel their RAM purchases entirely, thereby putting pressure on memory manufacturers. These boycott calls are spreading rapidly.

The last time gamers experienced a similar period of despair was in 2021, during the cryptocurrency market’s bull run. At that time, graphics card prices reached astronomical levels due to crypto mining, leaving gamers helpless. The subsequent market stagnation and the Ethereum network’s shift in mining model allowed the gaming community to breathe a sigh of relief.

However, the current memory price crisis is unfortunately not limited to a single sector. These days, almost every industry is making a concerted effort to integrate AI capabilities into its products.

Due to this intense and widespread demand across sectors, memory manufacturers no longer prioritize the gaming community, which accounts for a significant portion of the market share. In this context, the anti-purchase boycott initiated by the gaming community appears to have limited impact against the current global AI demand.