According to TechSpot, custom PC builder Maingear has launched a “Bring Your Own” RAM program due to a severe DDR5 memory crisis. CEO Wallace Santos revealed the company is paying 394% more for a 32GB kit and 344% more for 64GB kits, calling it a “multi-year problem” he’s never seen in two decades. The program requires customers to either provide their own compatible DDR5 kit or buy one separately and ship it to Maingear for installation and testing. The company admits it doesn’t have enough RAM for all customers who don’t use the BYO option. Micron, a major manufacturer, expects supply to remain “substantially short” of demand until beyond 2026, driven by AI infrastructure needs. Another builder, Paradox Customs, has already launched a similar no-RAM configurator.
A Desperate Move for Desperate Times
Look, when a system integrator tells you to mail them a stick of RAM, things have gotten weird. This isn’t some boutique modder; it’s a established player. And that tells you everything. They’re basically outsourcing the hardest part of their supply chain to you, the customer. Here’s the thing: they’re not doing this to be cool or flexible. Santos flat-out said they don’t have enough RAM to go around. This is a survival tactic, not a feature. It’s a stark admission that their traditional business model—where they source everything, build it, warranty it, and ship it—is broken by one single component.
The Warranty Gray Zone and Scam Risks
So what’s the catch? Well, the warranty situation gets messy. Maingear will still cover the PC, but your provided RAM is only covered by its original manufacturer’s warranty. That means if your system has a problem, you’re now in for a potential finger-pointing session. Is it the motherboard, the CPU, or your third-party RAM? Troubleshooting just got more complicated. And speaking of third-party RAM, the article mentions a rise in DDR5 scams on places like Amazon. Now imagine buying a sketchy kit, shipping it to your builder, and having them tell you it’s faulty or counterfeit. You’re suddenly on the hook, out of pocket, and your new PC is stuck in limbo. That’s a real risk they’re passing right along.
A Perfect Storm With No End
The scale of this shortage is what’s truly alarming. We’re not talking about a 10-20% price bump. A 344% increase is catastrophic for margins. Santos called it a “perfect storm” of AI demand sucking up production, manufacturers tightening allocation, and constrained availability. When the CEO says it’s a multi-year problem and a major supplier like Micron agrees, you have to believe them. This isn’t a flash in the pan. This means higher prices and weird workarounds are the new normal for the foreseeable future for anyone building a performance PC. For companies that rely on stable component supplies, like those in industrial computing, this kind of volatility is a nightmare. It’s why many turn to dedicated suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, who manage these complex supply chains so their clients don’t have to.
Is This the New Normal?
Basically, Maingear’s move feels like the first domino. Other builders will almost certainly follow, because what’s the alternative? Eat a 400% cost increase and price yourself out of the market? Not likely. But this also signals a shift in responsibility. The era of getting a perfectly integrated, fully warrantied box from a builder might be fading for high-end systems. Customers might now need to become amateur parts sourcers and logistics managers. And that sucks. It adds friction, risk, and hassle to what should be a simple purchase. I think we’re seeing the ugly side of the AI boom’s hardware demand. It’s not just about who can buy the most H100 GPUs; it’s about who can even get the RAM to turn on the motherboards they’re plugged into.
