All 2027 memory capacity reportedly sold out to AI companies
All memory manufacturers (Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron) have reportedly sold through their manufacturing capacity for DRAM and HBM memory in 2027, primarily to AI companies. Memory and SSD prices continue to rise, with little prospect of affordability returning in coming years due to long-term purchasing agreements locked in by major corporations.
I hoped the memory crisis, largely driven by extreme AI development, would ease this year. At least Apple apparently managed it with Mac Mini by enabling supplies from multiple vendors, especially Chinese ones. Where are the days when M2 drives cost 4x less? Perhaps in 2028.
What is the primary cause of DRAM and HBM memory capacity shortage?
The shortage is primarily driven by explosive demand for memory from artificial intelligence companies and machine learning organizations that require vast amounts of memory for model training and inference. These companies lock in capacity through multi-year purchasing agreements spanning up to five years.
How will the memory shortage affect computer prices?
The memory shortage drives up prices for both RAM and SSD storage, which increases the cost of finished products like gaming consoles (Xbox Series X) and handheld devices (Steam Machine). Consumer-level computers and gaming systems become more expensive as a result.
Is SSD storage shortage as severe as RAM shortage?
SSD storage (NAND) is facing increased demand but has not been completely sold out like DRAM because more manufacturers supply it. However, SSD prices are still rising significantly—typical drives have increased over 50 percent in cost within six months.
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