Corsair Adopts Chinese DRAM for DDR5 Kits: Memory Price Drop Anticipated
May 23, 2026 – 9:37 am
Image by: Blake Patterson
Summary
Corsair, a prominent PC component brand, is integrating Chinese-made DRAM from ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) into its DDR5 memory modules. This move comes as AI demand has strained global DRAM supplies, leaving consumer PCs severely lacking in available memory chips. While Corsair’s decision signals a diversification of supply chains, it may not immediately translate to lower prices for consumers.
Details
- Corsair’s Shift: Corsair is now using CXMT DRAM in its DDR5 kits, away from their traditional supplier, Micron.
- Chinese Manufacturer: ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China’s largest memory chipmaker, will provide the DRAM.
- Specifications: The modules run at 6000 MT/s with CL36 timings at 1.35V, supporting both Intel XMP and AMD EXPO overclocking profiles.
- Global Impact: Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have been focusing on high-bandwidth memory for AI accelerators, leaving the consumer market under-supplied.
- CXMT’s Capabilities: Holding 7.7% of the global DRAM market, CXMT caters to big names like Alibaba, Tencent, and ByteDance. It offers DDR5 dies in 16 Gb and 24 Gb configurations with speeds up to 8,000 MT/s.
- Market Outlook: Kye-hyun Kyung, a former Samsung chip executive, predicts relief from the memory shortage by late 2027 due to increased Chinese production capacity through an "Epic Expansion" initiative.
- Price Concerns: While Chinese sourcing might lower costs for Corsair, it’s unclear if this will translate into lower retail prices for consumers unless Chinese supply significantly increases.