Global memory crunch pushes modders to experiment with DIY DDR5 RAM

There have been a lot of talks surrounding the ongoing global DRAM and NAND crisis, and per recent reports, the situation will only become worse. IDC, for example, notes that current market analysis suggests that the memory shortage situation "could persist well into 2027."

While DDR4 RAM is being revisited, there's a chance that manufacturers will take advantage of the current situation and seek ways to increase their profits even through last-gen memory technology. Modders, however, are seeing a different method as somewhat of a viable approach to lower RAM costs in their builds.

They are now pitching the idea of DIY RAM sticks. At the surface, it's just like upgrading GPUs by soldering extra VRAM to the board. Of course, in terms of making your own memory sticks, the process would require sourcing the PCB board with the layout traced and memory ICs.

As Pro Hi-Tech highlights, these basic parts aren't challenging to source. Chinese sellers are already offering ready-to-be-soldered DDR5 PCBs. However, this DIY approach won't save users much money, at least not in the current state. An estimate calculated by Pro Hi-Tech and Viktor "Vik-On" points to a 16 GB stick costing around 12,000 rubles, around $151.

Compared to the current market condition, the estimated cost isn't much lower than what the average 16 GB DDR5 sticks are going for (Transcend 16GB DDR5 5600 MHz curr. $169.99 on Amazon). However, given how volatile the current memory market is, this DIY approach could eventually offer more notable savings in the not-so-distant future.