Brace Yourselves: Framework Reveals Unprecedented RAM Price Surge!

Heads up, fellow gamers and PC enthusiasts! If you’ve been eyeing a modular laptop or building a rig with Framework components, we’ve got some tough news regarding memory prices. Framework, known for its innovative, upgradeable systems, has just dropped an update that’s a real bummer for anyone planning their next PC.

According to their latest report, the cost of RAM modules, especially the cutting-edge LPCAMM2, has skyrocketed. Framework revealed that their supplier hiked prices to “more than double” what they were paying for previous stock. This isn’t just a slight bump; it’s a monumental increase that Framework says they simply can’t absorb without putting their entire operation at significant financial risk. They had anticipated a modest increase, but the actual jump was far beyond anything they predicted.

So, what does this mean for your orders? For those who pre-ordered Framework Laptops or mainboards with 64GB LPCAMM2 modules, existing stock will be used to fulfill as many of these orders as possible. However, once that stock runs out, future orders (even existing pre-orders that haven’t shipped yet) will be reconfigured to use a 32GB module, but thankfully at the original 32GB price. Similarly, if you ordered a 32GB module, you might find your order adjusted to a 16GB module once current stock depletes, also at the original 16GB pricing.

It’s not all bad news on every front, though. Framework also mentioned some fluctuating costs across their other offerings. For example, they’ve managed to reduce prices for their 48GB DDR5 modules. But on the flip side, 16GB capacity modules have seen their costs rise, leading to price increases there as well. Storage components are also playing a similar tune: prices for SN850X 8TB and SN7100 1TB drives have decreased, while the SN850X 1TB and SN7100 4TB models have seen price hikes.

The good news for anyone with an existing pre-order is that Framework is committed to honoring your original price if costs have gone up. And if, by chance, a component you ordered has seen its price drop since your pre-order, you’ll automatically get that lower price. It shows they’re doing their best to manage this turbulent market for their customers.

This situation really highlights the challenges faced by smaller, innovative companies like Framework. Unlike tech giants such as Lenovo or Dell, who have immense buying power and can absorb significant cost fluctuations, Framework operates on a much tighter margin. They don’t have the luxury of simply swallowing these massive price increases without risking their future.

While this news about rising memory costs is definitely a tough pill to swallow for PC builders and gamers alike, Framework’s transparency gives us a valuable glimpse into the real-world impact of the ongoing global memory shortage. It’s a stark reminder that component prices can be volatile, and it’s always wise to keep an eye on the market when planning your next upgrade or build.