High-capacity DDR5 RDIMMs are slipping further out of reach. Lead times for some 96GB and 128GB modules now stretch past 20 weeks, pricing is climbing week by week, and Tier 1 customers are being prioritized as manufacturers scramble to manage backlogs. This widespread module shortage is a direct consequence of bottlenecks and shifts occurring within the global memory chip market in 2025.
According to a recent analysis concerning the strategic projections for DDR5 market expansion, the DDR5 market is projected to grow at a 25% compound annual growth rate and is expected to exceed $50 billion by 2033. These projections are largely driven by the demands of AI and machine learning, along with continuous technological advancements in performance and energy efficiency.
Here’s the problem: A significant memory module market restraint is the price premium of DDR5 over DDR4, which has hindered its initial adoption rate.
What began as an adoption ramp has quickly turned into one of the most constrained supply dynamics in the server memory market. Keep reading to learn what’s driving shortages for DDR5 RDIMM modules and why it matters for the memory chip market.
Supply chain volatility and increasing prices in the memory market has made headlines since 2024. However, in recent months, availability of 96GB and 128GB DDR5 RDIMMs has become even more constrained, with reported lead times extending beyond 20 weeks and production largely reserved for priority customers.
According to industry chatter, one of the largest manufacturers is only able to cover about half of its backlog for the next nine months, with Tier 1 customers prioritized. These customers include major Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) like Amazon Web Services and large Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Dell and Lenovo.
This shortfall is especially visible in:
Behind these shortages is a structural trade-off: the same wafers used for DDR5 are increasingly being reserved for HBM4, which is critical for AI workloads. That shift has reduced production of 96GB and 128GB DDR5 RDIMMs at 5600 speeds, leaving buyers to compete for a smaller pool of available supply.
Top Requested DDR5 RDIMMs
These modules will remain in high demand as OEMs transition to higher-density platforms. Monitoring availability at the part-number level provides early insight into where shortages are most likely to persist through 2025.
Recent customer activity highlights heavy demand for the following modules:
DDR5 memory modules introduce new design requirements that make manufacturing more challenging than DDR4. Each module integrates on-DIMM power management (PMICs and VRMs), shifting functions that were previously handled on the motherboard directly onto the module itself. High-capacity parts, such as 96GB and 128GB RDIMMs, also rely on 3D stacking (3DS) technology to achieve density targets, which increases production steps and the potential for yield loss. In addition, higher chip densities place more strain on manufacturing tolerances, where even small defects can impact output.
These complexities are why high-capacity DDR5 modules face tighter supply and longer lead times than DDR4
Several overlapping forces are limiting DDR5 RDIMM availability. Here are the top four factors for shortages in these RAM modules:
The combination of allocation shifts, platform demand, and wafer trade-offs has created a market where pricing rises week to week and Tier 1 customers absorb most of the available inventory, leaving mid-market buyers with limited access.
Current supply conditions are shaping how buyers need to manage DDR5 sourcing:
If you are not a Tier 1 hyperscaler, server builder, or VIP customer, your future supply of DDR5 64GB, 96GB, and 128GB RDIMMs is at risk.
One of the central dynamics behind DDR5 shortages is wafer allocation. The same wafers used for DDR5 RDIMMs can also be directed toward HBM (High Bandwidth Memory), which has become critical for AI workloads. As demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, manufacturers are prioritizing HBM production, leaving fewer wafers available for DDR5 modules.
This shift is especially visible in 96GB and 128GB DDR5 RDIMMs, where extended lead times and constrained capacity reflect the trade-off. The impact is twofold: hyperscalers building AI systems are pulling resources away from traditional server memory, and manufacturers are channeling capacity toward higher-margin HBM products.
The result is what many in the market are calling the “DDR5 squeeze” — persistent shortages in high-density modules driven not just by demand growth, but by the reallocation of wafer capacity. For buyers, understanding this balance between DDR5 and HBM is essential to anticipating supply risk into 2025.
Lead times for 96GB and 128GB DDR5 RDIMMs are expected to remain extended through much of 2025, even as manufacturers signal capacity increases. Demand from hyperscalers and new server platforms will keep pressure on supply, and pricing is likely to continue moving week to week.
Securing DDR5 RDIMMs - especially 96GB and 128GB modules - requires more than routine purchasing. Budgets need to account for week-to-week price movement, as volatility has become a defining feature of the DDR5 market. Alternatives should be validated well before EOL notices are issued, since waiting until components are officially discontinued often leaves buyers competing for dwindling inventory at premium prices.
Monitoring hyperscaler and OEM build schedules has become one of the clearest indicators of where DDR5 RDIMM supply will tighten next. Visibility into these demand patterns allows procurement teams to anticipate bottlenecks before they materialize. At the same time, expanding supplier networks and leveraging platforms that provide real-time DDR5 RDIMM availability and pricing create a stronger position to secure allocation when capacity is tight.
Proactive planning around these areas not only reduces risk but also helps buyers stay competitive in a market where DDR5 RDIMM supply continues to lag demand.
The next phase of DDR5 sourcing will favor buyers who can move quickly on credible opportunities. Tools that provide real-time pricing, BOM uploads, and streamlined RFQs enable faster decision-making and reduce the risk of missed supply windows. Fusion Worldwide’s E-Commerce platform brings these capabilities together, giving procurement teams a way to act decisively in a volatile memory module market.