The 2026 memory shortage survival guide: keep your PC experience fresh even without a RAM upgrade

Some straight talk about PC memory in 2026: it’s expensive. Demand has so far exceeded supply that we’re seeing industry-wide increases to RAM prices. The impact of the memory shortage was seen first in the prices of consumer memory kits for PC builders, but you may soon see price increases for all products that contain DRAM — and that includes everything from smart televisions to automobiles, from game consoles to smart home devices.

We’re confident that the situation will eventually resolve one way or the other, either through changes in demand or changes in supply. But that might be cold comfort for anyone looking to build, upgrade, or purchase a PC in the short term. So let’s take a look at your options. Even in the midst of the memory shortage, you can keep your PC experience fresh without overspending on RAM.

Targeted upgrade: your motherboard

One approach you can take is to identify a motherboard that’s a clear upgrade over your existing model, but supports your current memory kit.

For example, if you’re currently using a gaming motherboard that uses the mainstream AMD B650 chipset, you might consider bumping up a tier to a fresh X870E motherboard instead. With this upgrade, a model like the ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero is likely to give you more M.2 slots, more and faster USB ports, a dual networking configuration including a high-bandwidth 10Gb port, WiFi 7, upgraded audio, and a more robust power solution that’s better equipped for driving a high-performance CPU over the long term. Thanks to its optimized PCIe lane layout, you’ll be able to enjoy the full bandwidth of the first PCIe 5.0 x16 slot and two PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots at the same time.

What’s more, the ROG Crosshair X870E Dark Hero also features a host of manufacturing optimizations that deliver a significant leap forward in memory performance. Between a server-grade ultra-low-etch PCB process, PCB back drilling, two-ounce copper power planes, an eight-layer design, and NitroPath DRAM technology, this board could potentially help you squeeze more performance out of your current DDR5 memory kit.

While upgrading your motherboard, you might take a moment to assess your PC’s cooling system, as well. An additional case fan or two could make a substantial difference in your case’s airflow pathway, leading to a quieter overall PC, lower component temperatures, or both. An AIO CPU liquid cooler could breathe new life into your system, too. Consider the easy-to-install Prime LC 360 ARGB LCD, or check out the upcoming ROG Strix LC IV series. Their spacious 5.08-inch LCD displays, attention-grabbing Aura Fan Edge lighting, and two colorways will give you striking ways to customize the look and feel of your PC, and they’re incredibly easy to install, too. When you pair one of these AIO CPU liquid coolers with a compatible motherboard with AIO Q-Connector, you won’t need to connect a single cable to the pump, simplifying installation and cleaning up your build.

Targeted upgrade: your graphics card

If you’re looking for one upgrade that will maximize your PC’s gaming performance, look no further than your graphics card. This component is the single largest factor when it comes to determining your FPS in games, so an upgrade here is primed to make a difference that you’ll notice immediately. Opting for a newer-generation card from the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 Series or AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series lineups will also increase your access to next-level features like NVIDIA DLSS or AMD FSR, giving you more tools to boost FPS or increase visual fidelity.

That said, graphics cards don’t do their work alone. All GPUs lean on the capabilities of your CPU, RAM, and motherboard to a certain extent, and the extent to which they lean on those components depends on factors like the game you’re playing, graphics settings like ray tracing, and — perhaps most importantly — the native resolution of your monitor. In a well-balanced system, none of that is a problem, but if you’re a Full HD gamer you might run into platform-related bottlenecks by upgrading an older system with a new graphics card. Many modern graphics cards are so powerful that when you play at 1080p, the graphics card is no longer the limiting factor for performance, exposing any weakness in your complete platform and dampening the impact of your upgrade.

Here’s an easy way to compensate for this scenario, and it’s a solution that’s entirely unaffected by the current memory shortage: pair your new graphics card with a 1440p or 4K monitor. Bumping up the resolution puts more of the workload back on your graphics card, minimizing the impact that you might have otherwise seen with a slower memory kit. Of course, you’ll also enjoy the additional visual detail in your games, especially today’s most lifelike AAA adventures, and you’ll have the opportunity to opt for a larger screen without sacrificing pixel density.

When buying a new graphics card, always make sure that your power supply is capable of supplying sufficient wattage. Our free online PSU calculator makes it easy to choose the right PSU wattage for your build. CPU and GPU power consumption will be greatly affected by overclocking, so we provide PSU wattage recommendations for both overclocked and non-overclocked configurations.

Get just enough RAM to get started, and upgrade later

Let’s say that you need to purchase DDR5 to get a system up and running. You might consider getting your system started with just enough RAM for your current use cases, with a plan to add more later.

So how much is enough? Before the DRAM shortage, we recommended 32GB of RAM for Windows 11 gaming PCs, as that gave you plenty of memory for not only an actively running game, but also Discord, a few browser tabs, a music app — you get the picture. But on a clean installation with Windows without too many apps running in the background, 16GB is sufficient for just about any game on the market, especially if you’re willing to tune some graphic settings. Folks who use their PCs for professional creative work should still target higher capacities, as do folks who livestream their gaming sessions. Full HD gamers focusing exclusively on easy-running, older competitive games like League of Legends could even get away with 8GB of RAM.

You might also save some cash by opting for a single DIMM rather than a dual-channel kit. Ordinarily, we wouldn’t steer you this route, as dual-channel outperforms single-channel in nearly all instances, but these aren’t ordinary times. Besides, our testing shows that the performance delta isn’t as big as you might think. DDR5 on its own can keep up pretty well even in a single-channel configuration, and processors with AMD 3D V-Cache Technology aren’t as sensitive to memory configurations as other processors due to their extra-large L3 cache. For instance, in a system running the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, there’s less than a 2% difference in average FPS between playing Cyberpunk 2077 with a single 16GB stick of DDR5 versus a 2x8GB memory kit.

Optimize the tech you already have

Perhaps you’re considering a PC upgrade because your current machine isn’t quite meeting your performance expectations. Maybe you’d like to see a higher frame rate in that new game in your library, or you need your system to handle video exports more quickly.

It’s worth taking a moment to make sure that you’ve fully optimized the hardware that’s already in your system. Sometimes, all a PC needs is a little TLC. It’s possible that your current memory kit is running at stock speeds, for instance. If you built your own PC, but never activated your memory’s XMP or EXPO profile, you might be a couple clicks away from significantly improved performance in most workloads.

The same holds true for other components in your system. Maybe it’s time to squeeze more performance out of your CPU and GPU through undervolting or overclocking. Perhaps this is the moment to tame the temperatures and acoustics of your PC by bolstering its cooling system. Or this could be your cue to roll up your sleeves and give your PC a thorough, old-fashioned cleaning. You might be surprised by what you can accomplish by removing dust and replacing dried-out thermal paste.

Don’t forget the software side of the equation. If you have an SSD that’s on the brink of overflowing, you’ll see much better performance by clearing up some drive space. Check for driver updates. And take a look at the latest software features offered by your graphics card manufacturer — DLSS 4.5 is turning heads across the industry for the incredible boost to visual fidelity.

Shop for a combo deal

The optimization approach only applies to folks with a currently operational PC. If you’re looking to replace a non-functional computer, or build your first PC from scratch, you’ll need new hardware.

Here’s a quick suggestion for anyone shopping for memory right now: keep an eye out for combo deals. As of February 2026, major online retailers like Newegg are currently offering some excellent combo deals on motherboards and memory kits. We can’t make any promises about how long such deals will last, but we respect Newegg’s work to make DDR5 available for everyday PC builders.

Consider buying used RAM, but secure some peace of mind for yourself

Some PC builders are turning to pre-owned DDR5 kits to secure hardware at a lower price. A quick look at sites like eBay suggests that memory prices are elevated in these markets, as well, but you might be able to find a tempting deal.

Of course, there are reasons to hesitate before buying used PC hardware. But you can give yourself some peace of mind that you’ll be able to respond to unexpected challenges with a used memory kit. ASUS motherboards go above and beyond to give you a seamless experience with memory through ASUS Enhanced Memory Profiles (AEMP). These profiles make it easy to optimize memory profiles, even if you end up with PMIC-restricted memory modules that do not provide an XMP or EXPO profile. AEMP III profiles, available with our Z890 motherboards, let you optimize complex memory configurations that include mixed brands and dies, provided the modules share the same capacity. And if you need to find a bit more stability at your preferred memory settings, check out DIMM Fit and DIMM Fit Pro. These BIOS feature can help you achieve higher memory overclocking frequencies, resolve compatibility concerns, or troubleshoot a memory kit that isn’t getting up to speed.

Keep your build budget low with an AM4 motherboard and DDR4

Perhaps you’re looking to build a new PC from scratch, but you don’t have a DDR5 memory kit lying around. Another option to consider is building a PC with DDR4 memory instead. While the prices for DDR4 have risen in recent months, these kits are still definitely cheaper than their DDR5 counterparts.

Such a move would limit you to last-gen platforms, like AM4. We don’t offer as many AM4 options as we used to, but you’ll still find inventory on boards like the ROG Strix B550-F Gaming WiFi II. While it doesn’t offer all the amenities of newer AM5 motherboards, like USB4 ports, support for PCIe 5.0 graphics cards and SSDs, WiFi 7, and expanded M.2 slot counts, it’ll still help you get an entry-level gaming PC up and running.

Shop for a prebuilt desktop, laptop, or mini PC

If you need a complete PC in the short term, you might also consider a prebuilt desktop PC, laptop, or mini PC. While these systems also require RAM, and we can’t guarantee that price adjustments won’t be necessary down the line, you can find systems today (as of January 2026) at prices comparable to what you might have expected prior to the memory shortage. That’s because the memory for our current inventory was purchased prior to price fluctuations in the memory market.

Take a moment to check the selection at the ASUS Store, and you might be pleasantly surprised at what you see. Not only is there a wide range of options available today, but you’ll also find sales prices on many systems. Again, price adjustments may be necessary later in the year depending on market conditions. So if you anticipate needing to buy a PC in 2026, and you’re concerned about how memory prices might affect the overall cost of your purchase, you might be best off buying a system sooner than later.

Enhance your full PC gaming experience with new peripherals and more

Another thought for keeping your PC gaming setup fresh during the current memory shortage. There are ways to dramatically increase your immersion and control while completely side-stepping the memory question.

First and foremost, we think that 2026 is a fantastic year to upgrade your gaming display. Arguably, no other purchase has a bigger impact on gameplay, and that was true even before the memory shortage reared its head. If competitive gaming is your jam, you could go all-in on speed with the ROG Swift OLED PG27AQWP-W. This monitor’s dual-mode technology lets you pick between QHD 540Hz or HD 720Hz visuals for stunningly fast animation. Maybe it’s time to fill even more of your field of vision with an extra-large display. The new ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM Gen 3 stands ready with a 4K 240Hz panel and our new BlackShield™ film, which boosts the perceived black level even in higher ambient lighting.

Odds are pretty good that you don’t even need one of our most premium monitors in order to get a big visual upgrade. Consider the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMGR, a 27-inch QHD stunner with a TrueBlack Glossy WOLED panel and 240Hz refresh rate. If you like that combo of resolution and refresh rate but prefer QD-OLED panels, check the ROG Strix OLED XG27AQDMES. Both go all-in on everyday convenience while protecting you from burn-in with their Neo Proximity Sensor, which can seamlessly transition the screen to black when you step away from your PC and instantly restore onscreen content when you return.

LCD monitors are typically even more budget-friendly, and you might be surprised by the advanced features you can get with an LCD monitor in 2026. Take the ROG Strix XG27UCG Gen 2, for instance. This dual-mode monitor lets you flip between two modes with the tap of a button. In the first mode, you’ll enjoy the lifelike detail of 4K 160Hz visuals. In the other, you’ll have super-fast 480Hz animation at Full HD. Alternatively, the TUF Gaming VG27UQEL5A beckons to value hunters with 4K 75Hz and FHD 300Hz modes.

If you’d like the experience of an even bigger display, but in a design that travels anywhere, check out the ROG XREAL R1 gaming glasses. Playing a game with these glasses is like sitting in front of a whopping 171-inch display from four meters away.

Perhaps your peripheral loadout could use some love, as well. As the components that you actually touch while using your PC, your keyboard, mouse, and headset play a large role in defining the entire experience. The lightweight, incredibly precise ROG Harpe Ace II will keep you in control even when the action gets hot — and there’s a new red version available, too. We’ve just launched a new entrant into our compact ROG Falchion keyboard family, the ROG Falchion Ace 75 HE. We’ve beefed up its layout over previous designs to include a dedicated function row, all while keeping a narrow profile, and kicked up its gaming credentials with upgraded HFX V2 and V2X magnetic switches.

Too often, gamers with a taste for audiophile hardware have had to devote budget to two sets of cans, one that gave them the audio experience they demanded for music and another with an integrated boom mic for talking strategy with their squad while gaming. Now, you can get it all in one headset: the ROG Kithara. ROG-tuned 100mm HIFIMAN planar magnetic drivers and an open-back design give you audiophile-grade fidelity and a spacious soundstage for an incredible listening experience in and out of games, and they’re fully equipped with everything you need to get into the action.

Potential configurations for starting or upgrading a build

Need a little help with putting together your PC, whether you’re starting from scratch or updating your current rig? Here are some hardware configurations for a variety of use cases, each list tuned to help you get the right balance of performance, features, and price.

We’ll start with a very solid entry-level gaming PC build. Here, we’re aiming for a rig that’ll get you gaming with your friends in today’s most popular esports games. The combination of either an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core Ultra 5 processor along with a value-centric B-series motherboard will get you up and running. If your budget is tight, start with an 8GB stick of DDR5, but 16GB will give you more headroom for multitasking and help you meet the recommended requirements for more visually demanding games.

For your graphics card, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8G will serve up excellent 1080p gaming while providing access to NVIDIA RTX features like DLSS 4.5. If you’d prefer a little more VRAM, consider an AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16G. These cards don’t demand a lot of power, but it’s still best to feed them power with an efficient PSU. The TUF Gaming 650W Gold EVO is a solid choice here, armed with military-grade capacitors, dual-ball fan bearings, a protective PCB coating, and ATX 3.1 / PCIe 5.1 compatibility.

Our list includes a pair of affordable yet speedy monitors. The TUF Gaming VG259QL5A pairs a 1080p resolution with a fluid 200Hz refresh rate along with FreeSync Premium and G-Sync Compatible. This compact monitor is well-suited for fast-paced gaming.

Perhaps you’re not looking so much for a gaming PC, but a system ready to take your creative ambitions to the next level. This next build configuration makes a few key upgrades to support the workflows in video editing, photo editing, and more. It starts with a beefed-up CPU – your creative apps will almost certainly be able to take full advantage of the additional core count on an AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. ProArt motherboards are fine-tuned for the needs of creators, doubling down on connectivity and minimalist style.

We’ll also recommend more system memory and more VRAM here. You’ll need 16GB of RAM at least. And an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16G is a great choice for bumping up to 16GB of VRAM while maintaining access to the NVIDIA RTX feature set.

Finally, we think you should invest in a monitor that provides a professional level of accuracy. The ProArt Display PA278CGRV and ProArt Display PA279CRV are solid picks here. These monitors are Calman Verified and factory calibrated to achieve an average Delta E value of less than two for high-end accuracy, and they offer wide color gamut coverage. Grab the PA279CRV for extra detail with its 4K resolution, or grab the PA278CGRV if your workflows can make use of its 144Hz refresh rate.

This next configuration is more of a “sweet spot” rig that’s designed to give you a great experience in just about any game out there at 1440p. For esports, immersive sims, racing games, and more, this PC is ready to roll.

The combination of an ROG Strix B-series motherboard and AMD Ryzen 7 or Intel Core Ultra 7 will lay a firm foundation for your build with PCIe 5.0 support, plentiful USB ports, robust power solutions, and a gamer-first style that you’ll want to show off. Kicking up your graphics card to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT / 9070 will take your 1440p gaming over the top with high FPS, so don’t be shy about pairing this PC with a speedy ROG OLED monitor like the 280Hz ROG Strix OLED XG27AQWMG.

Since we’ve kicked up the power levels with this build, you’ll want a PSU and cooling solution that are ready to meet the moment. The new ROG Strix LC IV 360 ARGB series AIO CPU liquid coolers deliver high-end cooling and bold style with a large 5.08-inch IPS display on the pump housing. For your PSU, an ROG Strix 1000W Platinum is available in black or white, and it offers excellent efficiency and quiet operation alike.

This next build is designed for 4K, both in gaming and in content creation. Playing games or editing video at that resolution needs a healthy dose of the VRAM, so we’re recommending the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080. Its 16GB of GDDR7 makes it a great fit for a premium OLED gaming monitor like the ROG Strix OLED XG32UCWMG, a 4K 240Hz monitor that pairs a WOLED panel with a TrueBlack™ Glossy coating for inky blacks and bright highlights. It’s a dual-mode monitor, too, allowing you to flip to a FHD 480Hz mode whenever you want to prioritize ultra-fluid refresh rates.

You won’t want to bottleneck this potent graphics card, so we’re recommending an AMD Ryzen CPU with AMD 3D V-Cache Technology or a premium Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. High-end motherboard options from the ROG Crosshair and ROG Maximus families will give you premium tools for squeezing every last drop of performance out of these beastly CPUs, and you should look for potent cooling, too. The ROG Ryuo IV 360 ARGB fits that bill nicely, and it’s topped with an eye-catching curved 6.67-inch AMOLED screen, too.

Finally, let’s talk about a system designed for professional creatives who need advanced processing power for work with 8K assets, high-bitrate 4K editing, gam development, or 3D rendering. These lines of work can take advantage of all the power that you’re able to provide, so we’re aiming high here with the combination of an AMD Ryzen 9 or Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and a premium NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card. Even during the memory shortage, you’ll need to invest in RAM to keep your projects rolling; a 2x32GB DDR5 kit is your starting point, and you may well need more.

The ProArt X870E-Creator WiFi (for AMD builds) and the ProArt Z890-Creator WiFi (Intel builds) were precision-built for just this scenario. Blurring the lines between consumer-grade and workstation-grade hardware, these motherboards give you the premium connectivity, networking, and power delivery that you need for a high-end system. A large AIO CPU liquid cooler will go a long way to support extended work sessions, so you might consider grabbing a ProArt LC 420 and a chassis that’s big enough to fit it.

On the display side, we have a number of professional-grade ProArt Displays that should catch your eye for these lines of work. The ProArt Display 8K PA32KCX, for example, will let you work with 8K assets at native resolution. If a speedy refresh rate is vital, consider the ProArt Display OLED PA32UCDM. It offers a 240Hz refresh rate to go along with its 4K resolution, and it’s one of the best HDR monitors we offer thanks to its 1000 nits peak brightness, VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, and support for multiple HDR formats.

Many ways to beat the memory shortage

Even if the current memory shortage has put the brakes on your PC building plans for 2026, you’re not entirely without options. With a little creativity, you can still find ways to build, upgrade, or optimize a PC. As a final suggestion on this front, we’ll recommend that you keep an eye on the ASUS Store. That’s where you’ll find many of our best deals throughout the year. So keep an eye out for great discounts, consider all your options as you’re planning a build or an upgrade, and make sure that you’re getting the most out of your current hardware.