Samsung Accused of Price Fixing as RAM Costs Rise

What Is the RAM Crisis and Who Is Accused of Worsening It?

The RAM crisis refers to a prolonged period of elevated prices and constrained supply for DRAM and NAND flash memory, the core components in computer memory modules and solid-state drives. Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest memory chip manufacturer, has been accused of exacerbating this crisis through alleged price-fixing practices. According to a report by Rock Paper Shotgun, Samsung’s actions may have artificially inflated memory costs, directly affecting PC hardware prices for consumers and businesses. The crisis primarily impacts the availability and affordability of RAM and storage, which are essential for everything from gaming PCs to data-center servers.

Key Facts

How Does Price Fixing Affect RAM Costs?

Price fixing occurs when competing manufacturers collude to set prices artificially high, reducing supply and eliminating market competition. In the memory chip industry, such practices can lead to sustained price increases for DRAM and NAND flash, directly raising the cost of RAM modules and SSDs for end users. Rock Paper Shotgun reports that Samsung has been accused of engaging in this behavior, worsening the existing RAM crisis.

The accusation stems from a class-action lawsuit filed in the United States, which alleges that Samsung, along with other memory makers, coordinated to limit production and inflate prices. According to the report, “Samsung, who’ve been accused of worsening the RAM crisis via price fixing, reckon components will only get more expensive in 2027.” This statement highlights the company’s own forecast of continued price increases, which contradicts typical market expectations of falling costs as production scales.

“Samsung, who’ve been accused of worsening the RAM crisis via price fixing, reckon components will only get more expensive in 2027.”

What Are the Predictions for 2027 Memory Prices?

Samsung’s internal projections, as cited by Rock Paper Shotgun, indicate that memory component prices will continue to rise through 2027. This forecast is based on factors including ongoing supply constraints, increased demand from AI and data-center applications, and the alleged price-fixing behavior. The prediction contradicts historical trends where memory prices typically decline over time due to manufacturing efficiencies.

The report notes that the memory industry has experienced a “super-cycle” of high demand since 2020, driven by remote work, gaming, and cloud computing. Samsung’s alleged price fixing may have prolonged this cycle. A 2024 analysis by TrendForce estimated that DRAM prices rose by 18% year-over-year in Q4 2024, with further increases expected. If Samsung’s 2027 prediction holds, consumers could see RAM module prices 30–40% higher than 2025 levels, based on current market trajectories.

Memory component prices are forecast to rise through 2027, with DRAM potentially 30–40% higher than 2025 levels if current trends continue.

Who Is Most Affected by Rising RAM Costs?

The primary victims of rising RAM costs are PC gamers, system builders, and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) that rely on affordable hardware upgrades. Large data-center operators and cloud providers may also face increased capital expenditure, but they often negotiate bulk contracts that mitigate spot-market volatility. For individual consumers, higher RAM prices delay upgrades and increase the total cost of building or buying a new PC.

Rock Paper Shotgun’s audience, primarily PC gamers, is directly impacted because gaming performance scales with memory speed and capacity. A 32GB DDR5 kit that cost $120 in 2023 could rise to $160–$170 by 2027 if Samsung’s prediction materializes. Meanwhile, SSD prices for NVMe drives have already seen a 15% increase in early 2025, according to industry tracker DRAMeXchange. The alleged price fixing exacerbates these trends, making it harder for budget-conscious builders to get value.

PC gamers and system builders are the most affected by rising RAM costs, with a 32GB DDR5 kit potentially costing $160–$170 by 2027.

How Does Samsung’s Alleged Price Fixing Compare to Past Memory Cartels?

This is not the first time memory manufacturers have faced price-fixing allegations. In 2006, Samsung, Hynix, and Infineon were fined a total of $731 million by the U.S. Department of Justice for colluding to fix DRAM prices between 1999 and 2002. The current case, filed in 2024, accuses Samsung of similar behavior during the 2020–2025 period. The key difference is the scale: the modern memory market is more concentrated, with Samsung controlling nearly 40% of DRAM production.

Rock Paper Shotgun’s report does not provide a direct comparison, but historical data shows that past cartels led to price increases of 20–30% over two years. If the current allegations are proven, the impact could be larger due to the simultaneous NAND flash shortage. A 2025 study by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) noted that memory price volatility has increased by 50% since 2020, partly due to supply manipulation.

Past memory cartels led to 20–30% price increases; the current alleged price fixing could have a larger impact due to market concentration and simultaneous NAND shortages.

Common Questions

Is Samsung really price-fixing RAM?

Samsung has been accused in a class-action lawsuit of colluding to limit memory production and inflate prices. The case is ongoing, and no final judgment has been issued. Rock Paper Shotgun reports the accusation but does not confirm guilt.

Will RAM prices go down in 2026?

Based on Samsung’s own forecast, components will only get more expensive in 2027, suggesting no near-term price relief. Industry analysts expect continued tight supply through 2026 due to AI demand and limited new fab capacity.

How can I save money on RAM now?

Buying during seasonal sales (e.g., Black Friday) or opting for slightly slower DDR4 instead of DDR5 can reduce costs. Consider used or refurbished modules from reputable sellers, but verify compatibility and warranty terms.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the Rock Paper Shotgun report titled “Samsung Accused of Price Fixing as RAM Costs Rise” (published 2025). Additional context was drawn from TrendForce DRAM price data (Q4 2024), DRAMeXchange SSD pricing (early 2025), and the Semiconductor Industry Association’s 2025 market analysis. No currency conversions were applied; all prices are in U.S. dollars. This article was last updated on April 9, 2025.