The storage sector is no stranger to periodic ups and downs. However, the recent memory price hikes, spurred by soaring AI demand, have taken the industry by surprise, far exceeding initial forecasts. At present, the cost of a DDR5 - 6000 64GB memory module has soared to 4,000 yuan, outstripping the price of a PS5 gaming console and inching closer to that of high - end graphics cards.

This wave of price increases stems from a confluence of factors. The explosive growth in demand for AI computing power has triggered a massive uptick in the need for HBM memory. As a result, storage behemoths have been redirecting their production capacities towards HBM, consequently slashing DDR4/DDR5 output. At the same time, certain manufacturers have bowed out of the DDR4 market, tightening supply even further.

Moreover, market dynamics have been further distorted by dealers engaging in inventory hoarding and international electronics firms inking long - term supply agreements. These actions have collectively driven market prices upwards. Industry analysts predict that the tight supply - demand scenario for memory chips will linger. DRAM and NAND prices are projected to climb by as much as 30% in the fourth quarter of 2025, and this upward price trend may extend into 2026.

This sharp price spike will not only reverberate through the storage industry itself but also send ripples across AI companies, electronic device manufacturers, and ultimately, consumers.