The increased demand, primarily driven by the push for more AI data centers that need tons of RAM and GPUs, has largely gone unmet this year. Existing orders are being carried over into next year, which is likely to exacerbate the already tense situation. As a result, prices could soar even higher, if not remain at a similarly high level.
Why RAM is so scarce at the moment
Large companies enter into multi-year contracts with memory manufacturers. Only when those agreements expire can sufficient capacity open up for new orders. The growing interest in AI data centers, which drink down RAM even faster than the water they need to stay cool and operational, has exploded global demand for memory. In response, memory manufacturers have shifted their sales from consumer to enterprise, where higher profits are possible.
Meanwhile, the construction of new semiconductor manufacturing facilities (i.e., more RAM output) is progressing too slowly and will take several years before they can start supplying new stock. Other memory manufacturers, including SK Hynix, ADATA, and Micron, have confirmed that the situation will worsen in 2027 before it can ease again.
From worse to worst, smaller manufacturers could collapse under the intense pressures of the current market conditions. RAM production is not only time-consuming but also costly and requires precise planning. New brands have little chance to prove themselves in this sector before they’re up against the big names.
Further reading: How to outsmart the RAM crisis: 5 tips