Building a gaming PC is about to get a lot more expensive, and there's nothing GPU prices or cryptocurrency miners have to do with it this time.
The US Commerce Secretary recently suggested that memory chip makers could face 100% tariffs unless they commit to increased US production, according to PC Gamer. Translation: the cost of RAM and SSDs is about to skyrocket.
Let's break down what this means for gamers.
Who Makes Your Memory?
Nearly all consumer DRAM and NAND flash memory comes from three companies: Samsung (South Korea), SK Hynix (South Korea), and Micron (USA). Micron is the only major US-based manufacturer, but even they rely on global supply chains and overseas facilities.
A 100% tariff means doubling the price of imported memory chips. That 32GB DDR5 kit that costs $120? Could jump to $240. That 2TB NVMe SSD for $150? Now $300. And that's before retailers add their markup.
"Just Build Factories in the US"
Sure, in theory. But building semiconductor fabs costs billions of dollars and takes years. Even if Samsung and SK Hynix decided tomorrow to build US facilities, we wouldn't see production until the end of the decade. In the meantime, gamers get stuck with the bill.
And here's the kicker: even with domestic production, memory wouldn't get cheaper. US manufacturing costs are higher than overseas, so prices would stay elevated—just without the tariff label.
Who Gets Hurt?
Budget builders. Enthusiasts upgrading their rigs. Anyone trying to get into PC gaming without spending a mortgage payment. The gaming industry has spent years making PC gaming more accessible—cheaper components, better performance-per-dollar, platforms like Steam Deck proving you don't need a $2000 rig to play great games.
Tariffs undo all of that progress overnight.
This also affects laptops, prebuilts, and even consoles (yes, your PS5 and Xbox use memory chips too). Nothing is safe.
What Can You Do?
If you're planning a build or upgrade, do it now. Before tariffs take effect. Before prices spike. Before stock dries up.
And if you're already sitting on a solid rig? Consider yourself lucky. The next few years might be rough for anyone looking to enter the PC gaming space.
The Bigger Picture
Trade policy has consequences. Tariffs aren't just abstract economic tools—they hit real people's wallets. And in this case, they hit gamers, content creators, and anyone who relies on affordable computing hardware.
I'm all for domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign supply chains. But kneecapping consumers with punitive tariffs while waiting for factories that won't exist for years? That's not policy. That's punishment.
Verdict: If you've been putting off a RAM or SSD upgrade, stop procrastinating. Once these tariffs hit, budget gaming PCs won't be budget anymore.
