RAM Shortage: Difference between revisions
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|Description=OpenAI | |Description=OpenAI has made large RAM purchasing deals with major manufacturers for its Stargate project, leading to a consumer shortage of RAM globally. | ||
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The '''RAM shortage''' or '''RAM crisis''' started around the end of 2025 as a consequence of AI companies making deals with hardware manufacturers to produce and supply the AI companies with [[wikipedia:Dynamic_random-access_memory|dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)]]. This caused a significant supply shortage and corresponding price increase of DRAM in the consumer market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ehrhardt |first=Michelle |date=2025-12-10 |title=Why RAM Prices Are Going Way, Way Up (and Why You Should Care) |url=https://lifehacker.com/tech/ram-prices-going-up#:~:text=But%20the%20largest%20RAM%20price,doubled%20profits%20over%20last%20year. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Lifehacker |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260107025034/https://lifehacker.com/tech/ram-prices-going-up |archive-date=7 Jan 2026}}</ref> Prices of other computer components, such as [[wikipedia:Solid-state_drive|solid-state drives (SSDs)]] and [[wikipedia:Graphics_processing_unit|graphics processing units (GPUs)]] have also increased, although at a lesser scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garreffa |first=Anthony |date=2025-12-27 |title=AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards will be more expensive in early 2026 because of DRAM crisis |url=https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109484/amd-and-nvidia-graphics-cards-will-be-more-expensive-in-early-2026-because-of-dram-crisis/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=TweakTown |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260111210901/https://www.tweaktown.com/news/109484/amd-and-nvidia-graphics-cards-will-be-more-expensive-in-early-2026-because-of-dram-crisis/index.html |archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Munnawer |first=Amna |date=2026-02-12 |title=Why SSDs Are Getting More Expensive In 2026? |url=https://directmacro.com/blog/post/why-ssds-are-getting-expensive |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Direct Macro |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220191816/https://directmacro.com/blog/post/why-ssds-are-getting-expensive |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nasir |first=Hassam |date=2026-02-17 |title=New report shows RAM prices are continuing to fall in Germany, US trends less certain — SSDs and HDDs are more expensive than ever in the States |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/new-report-shows-ram-prices-are-continuing-to-fall-in-germany-u-s-trends-less-certain-ssds-and-hdds-are-more-expensive-than-ever |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260218163201/https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/new-report-shows-ram-prices-are-continuing-to-fall-in-germany-u-s-trends-less-certain-ssds-and-hdds-are-more-expensive-than-ever |archive-date=18 Feb 2026}}</ref> [[File:CrucialProOverclocking32GB(2x16GB)DDR5-6000CL36MemoryPriceIncreasePCPartPicker.png|thumb|A screenshot of a graph from [https://pcpartpicker.com/ PcPartPicker] taken on 02-06-2026 showing the price increase of the product ''Crucial Pro Overclocking 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory'']] | |||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
With the release of [[ChatGPT]], [[OpenAI]] became the leading pioneer of artificial intelligence. Seeing this, more companies wanted to develop their own AI models and build infrastructure to compete in the AI market. [[Samsung]], [[Micron]], and [[SK Hynix]] are the main RAM producers for consumers and corporations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crider |first=Michael |date=2026-02-10 |title=Report: Desperate PC manufacturers are turning to China for RAM |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |access-date=2026-02-11 |work=PC World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260224121921/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3057590/report-desperate-pc-manufacturers-turn-to-china-for-ram.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix are the main RAM producers for consumers and corporations. | |||
== | ==Causes of the shortage== | ||
On October 1st 2025, OpenAI signed deals with major memory manufacturers to secure 40% of global RAM production.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilov |first=Anton |date=2025-10-01 |title=OpenAI's Stargate project to consume up to 40% of global DRAM output — inks deal with Samsung and SK hynix to the tune of up to 900,000 wafers per month |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/openais-stargate-project-to-consume-up-to-40-percent-of-global-dram-output-inks-deal-with-samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-the-tune-of-up-to-900-000-wafers-per-month |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Tom's Hardware |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260115053840/https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/openais-stargate-project-to-consume-up-to-40-percent-of-global-dram-output-inks-deal-with-samsung-and-sk-hynix-to-the-tune-of-up-to-900-000-wafers-per-month |archive-date=15 Jan 2026}}</ref> As of February 2026, RAM prices have tripled compared to October 2025. By late 2026, AI datacenters are expected to take 70% of all RAM usage. It is expected the RAM shortage could last until 2028.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Darragh |date=2026-01-14 |title='DRAM shortages could persist for quite some time now': Micron on RAM crisis lasting until 2028 with high AI demand, 'we are still servicing the consumer market' |url=https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/theres-just-not-enough-supply-to-go-around-micron-believes-ram-shortage-wont-improve-until-2028-at-least-until-the-ai-demand-starts-to-fade-away |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Tom's Guide |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222085320/https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/theres-just-not-enough-supply-to-go-around-micron-believes-ram-shortage-wont-improve-until-2028-at-least-until-the-ai-demand-starts-to-fade-away |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
==Corporate response== | |||
===Micron=== | |||
{{Main|Exit of Crucial from consumer business}} | |||
Micron has exited the consumer RAM market to focus resources toward manufacturing RAM to supply AI data centers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Satya |last2=Plungy |first2=Mark |date=2025-12-03 |title=Micron Announces Exit from Crucial Consumer Business |url=https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Micron |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220192654/https://investors.micron.com/news-releases/news-release-details/micron-announces-exit-crucial-consumer-business |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
===Samsung=== | |||
Samsung has promised to continue selling SSDs despite rumors that it had plans to leave the consumer market.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |date=2025-12-15 |title=No, we're not backing out of the consumer SSD market, says Samsung |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/not-backing-out-of-consumer-ssd-market-samsung/#:~:text=We%27ll%20keep%20selling%20SSDs%20to%20the%20consumer%2C%20says%20Samsung&text=Right%20now%2C%20we%27re%20seeing,supplying%20us%20with%20its%20hardware. |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=XDA Developers |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260109215923/https://www.xda-developers.com/not-backing-out-of-consumer-ssd-market-samsung/ |archive-date=9 Jan 2026}}</ref> | |||
==Consequences== | |||
The shortage of DRAM has already affected personal computing, with consequences like: | |||
*Samsung and SK Hynix have increased RAM prices due to slowed production and less competition from Micron. | |||
*The DRAM price increase has also increased the price to purchase a whole new computer, making computers a less accessible product for a regular consumer. | |||
*Some manufacturers selling their computers without DRAM included. One notable example is Maingear, who has started their own BYO (bring your own) RAM program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bring your own RAM, we’ll build you a complete PC. |url=https://maingear.com/blogs/promotions/maingear-byo-ram-program |access-date=2026-02-11 |website=Maingear |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260208065852/https://maingear.com/blogs/promotions/maingear-byo-ram-program |archive-date=8 Feb 2026}}</ref> | |||
*Consumers resorting to buying DDR4 <ref>{{Cite web |last=Murtaza |first=Fawad |date=2026-01-22 |title=AMD Zen 3 AM4 CPU prices surge as customers flock to desktop processors with DDR4 support |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Zen-3-AM4-CPU-prices-surge-as-customers-flock-to-desktop-processors-with-DDR4-support.1209042.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=NotebookCheck |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260224121950/https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Zen-3-AM4-CPU-prices-surge-as-customers-flock-to-desktop-processors-with-DDR4-support.1209042.0.html |archive-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref>, and even DDR3, to avoid higher prices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yee |first=Alainia |date=2026-01-23 |title=Surprise! DDR3 isn’t dead—and it might be the budget PC gaming answer you need |url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124075610/https://www.pcworld.com/article/3040452/surprise-ddr3-isnt-dead-and-it-might-be-the-budget-pc-gaming-answer-you-need.html |archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinghorn |first=Jess |date=2026-01-14 |title=Seeing the absolute state of memory pricing, Chinese DIY community opts for DDR3 motherboards instead |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=PC Gamer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260117162610/https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/memory/seeing-the-absolute-state-of-memory-pricing-chinese-diy-community-opts-for-ddr3-motherboards-instead/ |archive-date=17 Jan 2026}}</ref><br /> | |||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
The RAM shortage has caused outrage amongst consumers, talking about how manufacturers are prioritizing the profits of the AI market and ignoring regular consumers. Lots of content on social media has been posted talking about the topic and its negative impact on personal computing, for example by highlighting the potential fulfillment of Jeff Bezos' desire for consumers to rent computing power from the cloud; taking away ownership<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corden |first=Jez |date=2026-01-13 |title=Jeff Bezos said the quiet part out loud — hopes that you'll give up your PC to rent one from the cloud |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/jeff-bezos-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-bezos-envisions-that-youll-give-up-your-pc-for-an-ai-cloud-version |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Windows Central |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221193537/https://www.windowscentral.com/artificial-intelligence/jeff-bezos-says-the-quiet-part-out-loud-bezos-envisions-that-youll-give-up-your-pc-for-an-ai-cloud-version |archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref>, and increasingly by making several YouTube videos stating how this will impact the future of home computing. <ref>{{Cite web |last=MonkeyExplains |first= |date=2026-01-18 |title=RAM Prices Are Worse Then You Think |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=IfOREULEqRU |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gamers Nexus |date=2025-12-05 |title=WTF Just Happened? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c&t=633s |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-19 |website=Youtube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=9A-eeJP0J7c |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref><br /> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[ | [[Category:2025 incidents]] | ||
[[Category:2026 incidents]] | |||
Latest revision as of 12:52, 24 February 2026
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The RAM shortage or RAM crisis started around the end of 2025 as a consequence of AI companies making deals with hardware manufacturers to produce and supply the AI companies with dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). This caused a significant supply shortage and corresponding price increase of DRAM in the consumer market.[1] Prices of other computer components, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) and graphics processing units (GPUs) have also increased, although at a lesser scale.[2][3][4]
DDR5-6000CL36MemoryPriceIncreasePCPartPicker.png)
Background
[edit | edit source]With the release of ChatGPT, OpenAI became the leading pioneer of artificial intelligence. Seeing this, more companies wanted to develop their own AI models and build infrastructure to compete in the AI market. Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix are the main RAM producers for consumers and corporations.[5]
Causes of the shortage
[edit | edit source]On October 1st 2025, OpenAI signed deals with major memory manufacturers to secure 40% of global RAM production.[6] As of February 2026, RAM prices have tripled compared to October 2025. By late 2026, AI datacenters are expected to take 70% of all RAM usage. It is expected the RAM shortage could last until 2028.[7]
Corporate response
[edit | edit source]Micron
[edit | edit source]- Main article: Exit of Crucial from consumer business
Micron has exited the consumer RAM market to focus resources toward manufacturing RAM to supply AI data centers.[8]
Samsung
[edit | edit source]Samsung has promised to continue selling SSDs despite rumors that it had plans to leave the consumer market.[9]
Consequences
[edit | edit source]The shortage of DRAM has already affected personal computing, with consequences like:
- Samsung and SK Hynix have increased RAM prices due to slowed production and less competition from Micron.
- The DRAM price increase has also increased the price to purchase a whole new computer, making computers a less accessible product for a regular consumer.
- Some manufacturers selling their computers without DRAM included. One notable example is Maingear, who has started their own BYO (bring your own) RAM program.[10]
- Consumers resorting to buying DDR4 [11], and even DDR3, to avoid higher prices.[12][13]
Consumer response
[edit | edit source]The RAM shortage has caused outrage amongst consumers, talking about how manufacturers are prioritizing the profits of the AI market and ignoring regular consumers. Lots of content on social media has been posted talking about the topic and its negative impact on personal computing, for example by highlighting the potential fulfillment of Jeff Bezos' desire for consumers to rent computing power from the cloud; taking away ownership[14], and increasingly by making several YouTube videos stating how this will impact the future of home computing. [15][16]
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Ehrhardt, Michelle (2025-12-10). "Why RAM Prices Are Going Way, Way Up (and Why You Should Care)". Lifehacker. Archived from the original on 7 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Garreffa, Anthony (2025-12-27). "AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards will be more expensive in early 2026 because of DRAM crisis". TweakTown. Archived from the original on 11 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Munnawer, Amna (2026-02-12). "Why SSDs Are Getting More Expensive In 2026?". Direct Macro. Archived from the original on 20 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Nasir, Hassam (2026-02-17). "New report shows RAM prices are continuing to fall in Germany, US trends less certain — SSDs and HDDs are more expensive than ever in the States". Tom's Hardware. Archived from the original on 18 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Crider, Michael (2026-02-10). "Report: Desperate PC manufacturers are turning to China for RAM". PC World. Archived from the original on 24 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Shilov, Anton (2025-10-01). "OpenAI's Stargate project to consume up to 40% of global DRAM output — inks deal with Samsung and SK hynix to the tune of up to 900,000 wafers per month". Tom's Hardware. Archived from the original on 15 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Murphy, Darragh (2026-01-14). "'DRAM shortages could persist for quite some time now': Micron on RAM crisis lasting until 2028 with high AI demand, 'we are still servicing the consumer market'". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Kumar, Satya; Plungy, Mark (2025-12-03). "Micron Announces Exit from Crucial Consumer Business". Micron. Archived from the original on 20 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Batt, Simon (2025-12-15). "No, we're not backing out of the consumer SSD market, says Samsung". XDA Developers. Archived from the original on 9 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ "Bring your own RAM, we'll build you a complete PC". Maingear. Archived from the original on 8 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ Murtaza, Fawad (2026-01-22). "AMD Zen 3 AM4 CPU prices surge as customers flock to desktop processors with DDR4 support". NotebookCheck. Archived from the original on 24 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Yee, Alainia (2026-01-23). "Surprise! DDR3 isn't dead—and it might be the budget PC gaming answer you need". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 24 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Kinghorn, Jess (2026-01-14). "Seeing the absolute state of memory pricing, Chinese DIY community opts for DDR3 motherboards instead". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 17 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Corden, Jez (2026-01-13). "Jeff Bezos said the quiet part out loud — hopes that you'll give up your PC to rent one from the cloud". Windows Central. Archived from the original on 21 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ MonkeyExplains (2026-01-18). "RAM Prices Are Worse Then You Think". Youtube. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
- ↑ Gamers Nexus (2025-12-05). "WTF Just Happened?". Youtube. Archived from the original on 23 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-19.