Counterpoint Research forecast that server-memory chip prices could double by the end of 2026, Reuters reported in 2025. That is a prediction—not evidence the increase occurred—and Counterpoint attributed the supply pressure partly to NVIDIA’s growing use of LPDDR memory. NVIDIA’s Grace systems do use server-class LPDDR5X, but the technology choice and the broader market-price forecast are separate claims.
What exactly was forecast to double?
Reuters reported Counterpoint’s forecast that server-memory chip prices could double by the end of 2026. Tom’s Hardware described the scenario more specifically: 64GB DDR5 RDIMM prices could reach twice their Q1 2025 level by then, with LPDDR5X also potentially facing upward pressure. Both accounts describe forecasts, not observed prices. Reuters Tom’s Hardware
The distinction matters because “DRAM costs” is not one universal price. A forecast for server-memory chips—or for a particular DDR5 RDIMM capacity and baseline—does not establish that every DRAM product, including smartphone memory or accelerator HBM, will double by the same date.
Why NVIDIA uses LPDDR5X in Grace systems
NVIDIA’s Grace CPU Superchip uses server-class LPDDR5X memory in a co-packaged design with error-correcting code (ECC), according to the company’s specifications and whitepaper. It is not an ordinary removable smartphone memory module, nor is it interchangeable with a DDR5 registered DIMM (RDIMM). NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchip specifications NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchip whitepaper
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- Compatible for select DDR5 Servers and Workstations; *Not Compatible with Desktop or Laptop Computers*
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NVIDIA lists configurations with up to 960 GB of LPDDR5X and up to 1 TB/s of memory bandwidth. Those are vendor-published platform maximums, not measures of market supply or independently tested price comparisons. The company says Grace uses a wide memory subsystem to pursue bandwidth and energy efficiency, alongside capacity and cost trade-offs.
“Grace is the first data center CPU to utilize server-class high-speed LPDDR5X memory with a wide memory subsystem that delivers up to 500GB/s of bandwidth at one fifth the power of traditional DDR memory at similar cost.”
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That statement is NVIDIA’s own product claim. It describes the company’s rationale and comparison; it should not be read as an independent assessment of power use or current memory prices. NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchip specifications
How NVIDIA’s memory demand could affect prices
Counterpoint’s reasoning, as reported by Reuters, is that NVIDIA’s adoption of LPDDR could make it a memory buyer on a scale comparable to a major smartphone maker. In a market already facing demand from multiple sources and constraints on supply and capacity allocation, that additional demand could intensify pressure on server-memory prices. This is Counterpoint’s explanation for its forecast, not proof that NVIDIA alone caused price increases. Reuters Counterpoint Research analysis
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- Compatible for select DDR5 Servers and Workstations; *Not Compatible with Desktop or Laptop Computers*
- Note: This memory is ECC Registered and cannot be mixed with different ECC types such as ECC Unbuffered, ECC Load Reduced, or Non-ECC Unbuffered; (Refer to your system's manual for memory seating and channel guidelines)
The forecast also spans distinct product categories. Grace’s use of LPDDR5X does not mean that its memory is the same product as DDR5 RDIMMs, or that a price forecast for RDIMMs automatically applies to LPDDR5X. HBM, used in a different role associated with accelerators, is another separate memory technology. The available reporting does not provide a current, like-for-like price comparison across these categories.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which memory category does each claim concern?
| Memory type | Role or implementation described | What the price forecast establishes |
|---|---|---|
| LPDDR5X | Low-power memory used in NVIDIA Grace CPUs; NVIDIA describes it as server-class, co-packaged, and ECC-equipped. | Counterpoint’s reporting says LPDDR5X could face upward pressure; no comparable realized price outcome is established. |
| DDR5 RDIMM | A registered server-memory product category distinct from Grace’s LPDDR5X implementation. | Tom’s Hardware reported a forecast that 64GB DDR5 RDIMMs could reach twice their Q1 2025 level by end-2026; that remains a projection. |
| HBM | A separate high-bandwidth memory technology associated with accelerators. | The cited forecast does not establish a matching HBM price trajectory. |
These categories are not interchangeable shopping choices. A server’s supported memory depends on its design and specifications; the forecast does not imply that an arbitrary DDR5 RDIMM will work in a particular system or in a Grace CPU.
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- VERIFIED FITMENT — Compatible with Emerald Rapids, Xeon Scalable, PowerEdge, ProLiant, ThinkSystem, Supermicro. Spec-matched to your board's memory-population rules.
- ENTERPRISE STABILITY — Registered (buffered) architecture offloads the memory controller so every slot runs fully populated at full capacity, while ECC catches and corrects single-bit errors on the fly — stopping silent data corruption and unplanned reboots before they reach production.
- CHECK YOUR CONFIG — Server and motherboard memory support varies by model. Consult your system or motherboard manual for supported capacities, approved DIMM population order, and installation steps before purchase.
- LIFETIME SUPPORT — Backed by a lifetime replacement warranty and free US-based technical support.
What buyers and readers can conclude
The evidence supports a carefully limited conclusion: Counterpoint expected server-memory prices to rise sharply, potentially doubling by end-2026, and linked that risk in part to NVIDIA’s LPDDR demand amid wider supply pressures. It does not establish that prices actually doubled. Verifying an outcome requires dated prices for the same product category, capacity, market basis (such as contract or spot), geography where available, and a matching baseline. The cited forecast reports do not provide a comparable end-of-2026 price series.
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