RAM prices are skyrocketing, with a notable example being a 64 Gigabyte T-Create DDR5 memory kit that jumped from $209 to $650 in just a month. Raspberry Pi has raised prices on their single board computers, and Micron is discontinuing the Crucial brand, leaving fewer options for consumers. Small vendors like Libre Computer are seeing RAM prices double or triple, and even larger companies like Samsung are struggling to secure memory for their products. The data from PC Parts Picker illustrates this surge, showing DDR4 prices climbing from $30 to $120 and DDR5 from $150 to $500. The spike in memory prices is largely driven by demand from AI datacenter buildouts. Major manufacturers are prioritizing RAM production for AI applications over consumer needs, effectively sidelining the market for regular users. Nvidia is also impacting the situation by withholding memory from GPU board manufacturers, leaving them to source their own VRAM. There's speculation that once the AI bubble bursts, some cheaper hardware could flood the market, but much of the RAM being produced is not compatible with standard consumer PCs due to its integration into specialized systems. The ramifications of this shortage are significant for hobbyists and smaller companies. Many businesses are stockpiling RAM, reminiscent of the toilet paper shortages in 2020, which exacerbates the issue by limiting availability. Companies that can't afford to stockpile may struggle to produce new products, echoing the global chip shortage of 2021-2022. The outlook is grim for those who didn’t stock up on components earlier this year, as the skyrocketing prices and limited supply hinder new builds and product development.