Quick Answer

For Pretoria PC builders, RAM has been climbing in price because global makers shifted production to AI and server memory, tightening consumer DDR5 supply - so buy the 32GB DDR5-6000 your build needs now rather than waiting. A 32GB kit runs around R1,400-R2,000 locally, a 16GB kit around R900-R1,300. Choose a kit on your motherboard's QVL for guaranteed EXPO/XMP stability, since that matters more than chasing the lowest price.

Why RAM costs more

Two forces lifted local RAM prices: memory manufacturers prioritised high-margin AI and data-centre memory, squeezing consumer DDR5 supply, and RAM is dollar-priced and imported, so rand weakness adds to the shelf cost. For Pretoria builders this means the upward pressure is structural, not a short blip, so timing the market rarely pays off.

How much RAM and which kit

For a new AM5 or Intel gaming build, 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 is the right capacity and speed - it covers modern AAA titles and multitasking with headroom. On AM5, 6000 CL30 runs 1:1 with Infinity Fabric for the best real-world performance, so do not overpay for 7200, which usually runs slower on Ryzen. Pick a kit from your board's QVL for guaranteed EXPO stability.

Buying strategy for Pretoria

Buy the RAM your platform needs now. 16GB DDR5 (around R900-R1,300) covers esports and lighter use if budget is tight, with the option to add a matched second kit later - though buying a single 32GB kit upfront is more reliable than mixing. All kits are stocked locally at Evetech with nationwide delivery, and enabling EXPO in BIOS is essential to get the speed you paid for.

FAQ

Why is RAM expensive in Pretoria right now?

RAM is a dollar-priced import, so rand weakness raises local prices, and global makers shifted production to AI and server memory, tightening consumer DDR5 supply. Both pushed Pretoria shelf prices up.

How much RAM do I need for a gaming PC?

32GB DDR5-6000 (around R1,400-R2,000) is the right capacity for a new build, covering modern AAA games and multitasking. 16GB still works for esports and lighter use on a tighter budget.

Is DDR5-6000 or DDR5-7200 better for Ryzen?

DDR5-6000 CL30 is better for Ryzen because it runs 1:1 with Infinity Fabric. DDR5-7200 usually forces a slower 2:1 ratio on AM5, so do not pay extra for it on a Ryzen build.

TIP

Pretoria build, buy a 32GB DDR5-6000 CL30 kit from your board's QVL at Evetech and enable EXPO in BIOS - without EXPO the RAM defaults to a slow 4800 MHz and you lose the speed you paid for.