Maingear Allows Customers to Bring Their Own RAM as Prices Surge

Maingear Lets Customers Bring Their Own RAM as Prices Continue to Surge

High-end PC manufacturer Maingear has announced a new initiative called BYO RAM Builds, allowing customers to supply their own memory when ordering a custom-built system. The move comes amid a global RAM pricing crisis that has seen costs skyrocket to unprecedented levels. According to company CEO Wallace Santos, the current situation is the worst he has seen in more than 20 years of operating in the PC building business.

The concept behind BYO RAM Builds is straightforward: customers may either send RAM they already own or purchase memory from third-party retailers and ship it directly to Maingear’s facility for installation. Maingear will then handle compatibility checks, full system integration, and extensive stress testing before shipping the completed PC. This approach allows buyers to avoid the steep price markups associated with sourcing RAM directly through system integrators.

Wallace Santos revealed eye-opening figures, stating that the cost of 32GB RAM kits has increased by as much as 394%, while 64GB kits have risen approximately 344%. He attributed the surge to a combination of long-term COVID-19 disruptions, natural disasters affecting semiconductor production in Taiwan, and ongoing global supply chain instability. Unlike previous price spikes, Santos warned that there is currently no clear end in sight, with the situation expected to persist for several more years.

Despite the added flexibility, Maingear emphasized that it will never ship a system without RAM installed, as all machines must undergo full validation and optimization before leaving the factory. To support customers, the company offers pre-purchase hardware compatibility consultations and even provides expedited shipping labels for those sending RAM directly to Maingear’s assembly team.

In terms of warranty coverage, Maingear confirmed that the PC system itself will remain fully covered under the company’s standard lifetime support and service policies. However, any customer-supplied RAM will be covered exclusively by the original manufacturer’s warranty. The BYO RAM program applies to all new custom builds that are not preconfigured, ready-to-ship stock units.

Santos also acknowledged that Maingear simply cannot secure enough RAM inventory to meet demand without introducing this program. He expects elevated memory prices to continue through at least 2026. Other boutique builders, such as Paradox Customs, have begun implementing similar policies, highlighting how deeply the memory pricing crisis is impacting the entire PC industry.

Origin : Tomshardware