PC's with 64GB of RAM plummet 18% as memory prices soar

Memory capacity on PCs has fallen year over year for the first time, according to data from the free hardware monitoring program CPU-Z. The program’s latest figures show 64GB configurations dropped 18%, while 32GB configurations slipped 2.5%. CPU-Z tracks only systems where it is installed and running, so the numbers reflect its active user base rather than retail sales.

The decline in larger memory kits comes as memory prices have risen steeply, leading consumers to weigh the cost of extra capacity against its benefits. As the price per gigabyte climbs, buyers are shifting toward more affordable options. Lower-capacity kits have seen something of a revival: 16GB configurations rebounded 12.9% and 8GB configurations grew 5.5%.

Among CPU-Z users, 32GB remains the most common configuration at a 37.2% share, with 16GB close behind at 33%. The two capacities have grown over the years as applications and games have become more memory-intensive, with 16GB long serving as the baseline and 32GB now the sweet spot for many users, including gamers. 8GB systems account for 11% of the surveyed base and are now rare outside legacy machines, basic office computers and extremely budget-limited builds. Higher-end configurations remain a minority, with 64GB at 7.3% and 24GB at 2.3%.

The 24GB configuration increased 19.7%, positioning it as a compromise for consumers who need more than 16GB but do not want to pay for a premium 32GB kit. The shifts suggest budget-conscious buyers are gravitating toward cheaper capacity points as prices rise.

The distribution between memory types shows DDR4 still dominant at 54.5%, while DDR5 sits at 32.9%. DDR4 grew 6% while DDR5 declined 2.9%, a sign that cost-conscious consumers are sticking with platforms that still support DDR4, such as AMD’s Zen 3-powered Ryzen 5000 processors or Intel’s 13th Generation Raptor Lake chips. CPU-Z’s processor charts show gains for Zen 3 parts including the Ryzen 7 5700X, Ryzen 5 5600 and Ryzen 5 5500, up 42.8%, 36.1% and 67.3%, respectively.

Both memory types have risen in price, though DDR4 remains slightly more affordable. Vendors and chipmakers are responding: AMD is rereleasing the Ryzen 7 5800X3D, memory and motherboard makers are restarting DDR4 production, and Intel is preparing refreshed Raptor Lake Next chips for 2027.

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