Here's why DDR4 RAM prices have spikedBy Bo Moore 10/20/2016
A perfect storm of chip demands has driven memory prices up.http://www.pcgamer.com/heres-why-ddr4-ram-prices-have-spiked/If you're in the market for some DDR4 RAM, now...is not a great time to buy. While updating our high-end PC build guide, we noticed that DDR4 prices had spiked in recent weeks, from a relatively steady $60-$70 for 2x8GB to $75+. For example, take a look at PC Part Picker's price history for G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 over the last six months:

So what's the deal? We reached out to a few memory makers to find out. According to our sources, the DDR4 price increase is due to a number of factors, but primarily smartphones are to blame. Essentially, mobile phone production using DDR4 chips is on the rise.
[Excerpt. Read more about the Chinese connection, the Note 7, etc., here:
http://www.pcgamer.com/heres-why-ddr4-ram-prices-have-spiked/ ]
Personal note... I spec'd out a home build of a desktop system in April 2016 at less than $950, and hoped the price would drop as new video cards came out, etc. The same exact system components are now up to more than $1,000. So much for tech prices dropping...
