12/01/2026
Why are RAM prices suddenly so high? Most people are already aware of this but for those who are not aware, here is the full picture.
Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron are the top producers of DRAM which is used in the RAM we use in our PCs. After the AI boom, these companies have shifted their priorities to supplying AI companies with RAM since they are buying a much larger quantity of it and it's more profitable that way. AI companies use a specific type of Memory called HBM (High Bandwidth Memory). To produce these, DRAM production is significantly cut down as only one type of memory chip can be produced from one sheet of silicon wafer. Which ends up with a shortage of DRAM chips to produce the RAM we use.
AI Datacenters need a ton of memory to keep working with the amount of input they get and to process them. This racks up demand for RAM and as we all know, demand goes and supply follows. Memory manufacturers are supplying AI Datacenters with more memory since they are ordering a much higher quantity and are more profitable to work with.
That leaves us consumers with a very big shortage of RAM since DRAM is not being produced as much.
When will this be resolved? Probably in a few years when more factories are built to produce more Memory chips or if AI demand goes down. There's no way to say for certain.
