RAM at $450 and RTX 5090 Supply Reportedly Cut: Is Now a Bad Time to Build a Gaming PC?

If you've been planning a new gaming PC, this fall is a rough time to shop. A 32GB DDR5 RAM kit now costs around $450, reports say NVIDIA has stopped taking some RTX 5090 orders, and the next big chips from AMD, Intel and NVIDIA reportedly won't arrive until 2027. Here's what's confirmed, what's still a rumor, and what it means if you're buying.

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RAM: the price shock

• On October 14, Tom's Hardware reported that the cheapest 32GB DDR5-6000 kit in the US had reached $449.97. A similar kit sold for around $72 last year.
• Tom's Hardware puts the increase at more than 500%. Other trackers show slightly different numbers, roughly $429 to $560 for the same kind of kit, so treat the exact price as approximate.
• The cause is AI. Data centers need huge amounts of memory, and chip makers are prioritizing it. SK Hynix said this week that its memory output is essentially booked through 2029.
• On September 30, Micron told investors it sees no clear point when supply and demand will balance again.

NVIDIA RTX 5090: what's reported, and what NVIDIA says

• The overclocker and YouTuber der8auer reported that an unnamed graphics card maker can no longer buy the RTX 5090 chip together with its 32GB of GDDR7 memory, and can't place backorders either. The report was picked up by VideoCardz, TechPowerUp and Notebookcheck.
• It's not clear whether this applies to every card maker. The partner reportedly hasn't received an "end of life" notice.
• NVIDIA says the RTX 5090 has not been discontinued and that it will keep shipping.

What about AMD and Intel?

• AMD's next desktop CPUs (Zen 6) and Intel's next desktop chips (Nova Lake) were expected around the end of 2026, but Tom's Hardware reports both are now expected in 2027.
• NVIDIA's next gaming generation (RTX 60) isn't expected before late 2027, according to reports.

So, should you build a PC now?

There's no perfect answer, but here's a practical way to think about it:

• If your current PC works: waiting usually makes sense. Nobody knows when RAM prices will fall, but buying at what may be the top of the market hurts.
• If you need a PC now: 16GB of RAM is still enough for many games, and you can add more later. Spending on the graphics card first usually gives you more gaming performance than extra RAM.
• Check prebuilt PCs. System builders often bought parts before prices jumped, so a prebuilt can sometimes cost less than buying the same parts yourself. Compare carefully.
• Consider a console. A PS5 or Xbox suddenly looks like good value next to a $450 RAM kit, especially with GTA 6 arriving November 19.
• Watch out for scams. Shortages bring fake listings. Be careful with deals that look too good to be true, especially for RTX 5090 cards.

My take

This is the strangest PC market I've seen: the best gaming hardware is getting harder to buy, not easier, because AI companies are outbidding gamers for the same chips. If your PC still runs what you play, I'd hold off and let the dust settle. If you need something now, put your money into the graphics card, keep the RAM modest, and don't ignore consoles. Are you waiting it out, or buying anyway?