Framework RAM Price Hike Sparks Concerns Over Modular PC Costs
Framework, the poster child for repairable and upgradable laptops, has raised DDR5 RAM prices again—this time to a steep $10 per gigabyte. With 8GB now costing $80 (up from $60) and 32GB soaring to $320 (from $240), users are facing sticker shock. The hike, announced December 26, 2025, follows a similar increase earlier this month and reflects mounting pressure from a global memory shortage that shows no signs of easing in early 2026.
Why Is Framework Raising RAM Prices Again?
Framework isn’t acting alone—it’s caught in the crosshairs of a worldwide DRAM supply crunch. The company cited “substantially higher costs from suppliers and distributors” as the reason behind its latest adjustment. Crucially, this isn’t just a one-off: suppliers have signaled that memory prices will keep climbing into 2026. For a brand built on affordability and user empowerment, these hikes risk undermining its core promise of accessible, future-proof hardware.
What the New Pricing Looks Like
The new DDR5 RAM lineup is now priced uniformly at $10 per GB for standard configurations:
- 8GB: $80 (was $60)
- 16GB: $160 (was $120)
- 32GB: $320 (was $240)
Higher-capacity modules see even steeper markups. The 48GB option has more than doubled from $240 in June 2025 to $620 today. The 64GB (2x32GB) and 96GB (2x48GB) kits now cost $640 and $1,240, respectively. These prices apply only to memory bundled with Framework’s DIY Edition laptops—standalone RAM sales remain paused to preserve limited stock.
A Workaround for Cost-Conscious Buyers
Framework hasn’t left users entirely stranded. Recognizing the pain point, the company now encourages buyers to configure their DIY laptops without memory and source compatible DDR5 modules independently. To help, it’s added a direct link to PCPartPicker on its product pages—a rare nod to third-party compatibility from a brand that typically prefers full ecosystem control.
A Global Memory Crisis
Framework’s dilemma mirrors a broader tech industry crisis. Micron, one of the world’s largest memory manufacturers, recently confirmed the shortage will “persist beyond 2026.” The shift in production toward high-margin AI server chips—coupled with reduced consumer DRAM output—has tightened supply just as demand remains steady. Even prebuilt PCs are now shipping without RAM to avoid ballooning costs.
How This Impacts Modular Computing’s Promise
Framework’s entire mission hinges on user-upgradable, long-lasting devices that defy the throwaway culture of Big Tech. But if essential components like RAM become prohibitively expensive, that vision falters. Enthusiasts who once praised Framework for $60 8GB kits may now reconsider—especially when mainstream laptops lock users into fixed configurations but offer lower upfront costs.
Will Prices Ever Come Back Down?
Industry analysts are skeptical. With AI data centers gobbling up premium memory and consumer DRAM output lagging, relief isn’t expected before late 2026. Framework itself warned this “likely won’t be the last” price increase. For now, the company is balancing transparency with necessity—a tough spot for a brand that built its reputation on user trust and affordability.
What Users Should Do Now
If you’re planning a Framework build, act fast—or get creative. Ordering your laptop without RAM and sourcing modules from third-party retailers could save hundreds. Just ensure compatibility: Framework’s 13-inch AMD Ryzen 7040-series models use DDR5-5600 SODIMMs. Community forums and Framework’s own compatibility guides remain invaluable resources during this volatile period.
The Irony of “Sustainable” Tech in a Broken Supply Chain
Framework’s struggle highlights a painful irony: even the most ethical, repairable tech can’t escape macroeconomic forces. When global supply chains prioritize AI over everyday users, even modular pioneers pay the price. This moment tests whether sustainability can survive not just planned obsolescence—but market obsolescence driven by shifting industrial priorities.
Adaptation Over Idealism
Framework’s response—offering PCPartPicker links and flexible configurations—shows adaptability. Rather than hide behind its ecosystem, it’s empowering users to navigate the crisis themselves. That pragmatism may be the true test of its user-first ethos. As memory costs climb, the real innovation might not be in hardware—but in how companies help users cope when the market turns against them.
Framework’s latest RAM price hike is more than a billing update—it’s a symptom of a tech industry at a crossroads. As AI reshapes supply chains, everyday users and modular advocates alike must adapt. For now, Framework’s transparency and workaround options offer a lifeline. But if memory prices keep soaring, even the most repairable laptop may become a luxury few can afford.
