- Chinese RAM is available on AliExpress and other third-party sellers at slightly cheaper prices
- Not all options are cheaper than mainstream RAM kits in the west, though
- This is not a solution to the RAM crisis, but it's an alternative some people may want to explore
The RAM crisis feels relentless for consumers looking to buy PC memory, with high prices across the board for RAM kits from mainstream manufacturers – but fortunately, there's something of a possible temporary solution.
As reported by PC Gamer, an alternative to a traditional mainstream brand (like Corsair or Kingston, for example) in some regions is to buy Chinese RAM at AliExpress, Temu, or other third-party online sellers.
Essentially, you're importing a RAM kit made for the Chinese market, and that idea has suddenly got a lot more appealing due to the skyrocketing prices for RAM sticks from mainstream US and European brands.
The good news is that RAM kits like Cusu and Dudga (which you've likely never heard of) are available to ship to other regions at slightly lower prices compared to the mentioned mainstream offerings.
For example, 16GB of Cusu's 3200MHz DDR4 RAM (2 x 8GB sticks) is available at AliExpress for around $120 / £80. That's discounted due to a sale, mind you, and so Chinese RAM options aren't a silver bullet to completely solve pricing issues.
However, they are a viable alternative for those who don't mind importing, and I've noticed that third-party sellers like AliExpress feature big discounts fairly often.
To put the above price in perspective, a Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR4 kit features similar specifications but costs $159 / £158.
This isn't a solution to the RAM crisis
To make one thing clear, not all Chinese RAM modules on AliExpress or similar Asian marketplaces will have cheaper pricing than kits being sold in the west. Indeed, I've spotted a fair number of options that are actually priced equivalently (or even more) to what's available with existing mainstream options like Corsair RAM.
That said, if you hunt for a bargain in Asia, you've got a better chance of finding a compelling discount. But you must also remember that there's risk as well as reward to be found here.
It's important to note that while these Chinese RAM kits share similar specifications to those we're familiar with, there's no guarantee they will perform as well as they should. AliExpress isn't the most reliable vendor compared to buying directly from mainstream RAM makers or reputable retailers like Amazon or Best Buy.
Further remember that support will be an issue with a product shipped from Asia, should anything go wrong with the RAM.
For those reasons, I would suggest proceeding with caution if you're considering a purchase along these lines, but this is undeniably one way to escape the RAM crisis without overpaying.
Mind you, it's always possible the RAM crisis might settle down, and mainstream prices could drop lower. There's even some tenuous evidence this could be happening, but whether it'll continue is entirely another matter.
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