Overview
- Maingear’s BYO RAM program lets buyers send in compatible DDR5 kits for installation, validation, and tuning before shipment, with the PC covered by Maingear’s warranty and the memory covered by the RAM maker.
- CEO Wallace Santos says Maingear’s cost for 32GB kits is up about 394% and 64GB kits about 344%, calling the crunch a multi‑year problem and noting the firm cannot supply enough RAM for every non‑BYO buyer.
- Market tracking shows a 64GB DDR5‑6000 kit averaging roughly $800, up from just over $200 in early October, as AI infrastructure demand and tighter allocations reduce availability across capacities and speeds.
- Paradox Customs now offers no‑RAM configurations, and reporting indicates other builders are exploring similar BYO or ram‑less options as a workaround to volatile DDR5 pricing.
- Reporters and suppliers flag practical hurdles for BYO, including theft or loss risk when shipping high‑value memory and added compatibility or tuning complexity, with manufacturers projecting tight supply through 2026 and price relief later.