August 5, 2025 /SemiMedia/ — Contract prices for mainstream PC DRAM products surged 50% in July, reaching $3.90 for DDR4 8Gb (1Gx8), according to DRAMeXchange, a research division of TrendForce. This marks the fourth consecutive month of significant increases, following gains of 22.22%, 27.27%, and 23.81% from April through June.

July's pricing represents the highest level for DDR4 since October 2021, when it averaged $3.71. The sharp recovery follows a period of severe declines in late 2024, when prices dropped 17.07% in September and 20.59% in November, before stabilizing for four months.

Analysts attribute the rally to a combination of constrained supply and growing preemptive demand. Major memory makers, including Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Micron, have prioritized server DRAM production, leading to a supply squeeze for legacy DDR4 products. Meanwhile, PC makers have accelerated procurement amid tightening inventories.

TrendForce noted that DDR4 prices have now surpassed DDR5 by approximately 4%, creating a rare price inversion. “DDR4's share in overall DRAM shipments is shrinking, and as the product nears its end-of-life phase, reduced output is pushing prices higher,” the firm added.

Separately, contract prices for NAND Flash products used in memory cards and USB drives also rose 8.67% in July to $3.39 for 128Gb (16Gx8 MLC). NAND prices have now increased for seven consecutive months since rebounding in January 2025.