Framework stops selling standalone RAM to ward off scalpers — warns it will have to increase memory pricing soon as AI crunch bites

Framework, the popular vendor of highly-customizable, user-upgradeable laptops, is the latest PC outfit to be hit by the ongoing memory shortage. Owing to its custom nature, the company sells SO-DIMM modules for its laptops that users can buy either as upgrades to their existing devices or while kitting out a DIY model. Unfortunately, things have gotten so out of hand that even Framework has now had to remove almost every single kit of RAM available for purchase separately on its website.

A quick look at the "Memory & Storage" section of the website will show you there are 21 individual listings for both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, out of which only two DDR4 models remain. Framework is still selling a standard 8 GB stick of DDR4-3200 memory, alongside a 16 GB kit of the same spec for very reasonable prices. Other options, including even refurbished SO-DIMMs, are now marked as "Coming Soon," pointing toward a depleting inventory that, once restocked, will come back with much higher prices.

Despite the chaos, Framework is still trying to make the best out of this situation, though, as the company is selling the remaining stock at old prices, and DDR5 is still readily available to kit out when buying one of their DIY Edition laptops. This tactic should ward off scalpers who're willing to sniff out every crevice of the internet to stock up on memory that they can resell at inflated prices.

Despite the drastic measures, Framework also warned that it's facing increased costs from suppliers, so memory prices on its marketplace will inevitably go up soon. The reason behind such a bitter landscape is artificial intelligence. There are only a handful of companies — like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix — capable of manufacturing DRAM. All of them have sold out the majority of their production capacities to AI firms like OpenAI. Other vendors like Minisforum have increased prices on all pre-built PCs that contain RAM and SSD storage, and even Lenovo is stockpiling RAM.

Experts speculate the situation will worsen or at least stay just as miserable for the entirety of 2026, an early tease of which is the case of an entire PS5 now costing less than 64 GB of DDR5 desktop RAM right now.

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