The index data failed to load correctly.
Rather than show numbers that might be wrong, we're showing you this. The raw dataset lives at
/data/hardware-index.json — if the problem persists, it will be fixed with the next
weekly update.
RAM 10 & GPU 10
Each index is the average of its ten SKUs' prices relative to their August 2026 base price, × 100. Over 100 means the basket got more expensive than at launch; under 100 means relief.
Ten kits, from budget DDR4 to 64GB DDR5
Chosen to span what people actually buy: entry kits, the mainstream 32GB sweet spot, a laptop SO-DIMM upgrade, and high-capacity kits. Each price is one specific retail listing, linked in the dataset.
Ten cards, current and last generation
From the budget Arc B580 to the RTX 5090 halo card, with AMD's RX 9000s and one last-gen holdover for continuity. One widely stocked board-partner model per GPU.
What the archives remember
The AI buildout is bidding against you
Data centers buy the same DRAM and NAND that goes into your RAM kit, your laptop, and your graphics card — and since 2024 they've been buying nearly all of it. Memory makers shifted production to server-class chips, consumer supply tightened, and retail prices followed. We wrote up the full chain of events, with every price change sourced:
Turn this index into a verdict for your budget and timeline, with the cost of waiting spelled out.
How AI data centers made RAM kits quadruple, consoles cost $100–150 more, and PCs 15–20% more.
The circular financing behind the buildout that's soaking up the world's chip supply.
The same buildout, showing up on your electric bill — state by state.