Nvidia CFO reveals they secured RAM “a long time ago” while Google execs were fired for missing the boat

Nvidia CFO reveals they secured RAM “a long time ago” while Google execs were fired for missing the boat Table of Contents A lot of time has passed since RAM shortages really started to disrupt the tech industry, with many consumers taking notice as soon as memory kit prices skyrocketed in the second half of last year. Nvidia was quick to recognize the disaster, predicting that memory prices were going to spike well ahead of time. Some companies were not so quick – Google was notably slacking. Building a new PC from scratch has become an expensive endeavor, with some pre-built brands even opting for ‘bring-your-own RAM’ programs to soften the blow. For large-scale companies like Nvidia, CFO Colette Kress says they had to “make an [early] assessment” and have the belief that the AI bubble (or “wave” as she phrases it) was going to stay strong. Nvidia explains how it deals with the memory shortages In an interview with Tae Kim, the author of The Nvidia Way, Nvidia Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Colette Kress has highlighted Nvidia’s efforts to secure and retain memory stock at a time when the entire industry is suffering. Kim spoke to Kress shortly after Nvidia announced its Q1 Fiscal 2027 results on Wednesday, with a large focus on AI – and little fanfare for its gaming revenue. “Many of the companies, for example, are sitting here going, oh my gosh, the memory price went up. We knew that was going to happen. That was something everybody should have, at least we did, ordered a long time ago. On the most significant memory, we’re actually working with them on what to build. It’s not, hey, what do you have on the shelf? We’re saying in our next configuration, we’re thinking this. And they said, okay, let’s work on that.” Colette Kress, Nvidia CFO It helps that Nvidia has a “significant ecosystem of suppliers,” says Kress. When Nvidia shows up, partners say, “How can I help you? We know you well enough. We’ve worked with you for 30 years,” she adds. Team Green celebrated a massive $81.6 revenue in the first quarter of Fiscal year 2027, with $75.2 billion of that coming from Data Center revenue. As you may know, it’s the unprecedented demand for AI and Data Center growth that has thinned out RAM supply, as well as storage hardware. Last year, Nvidia had to dismiss rumors that it was suffering from a short supply of its AI chips due to the demand, so it’s clear the company is very well prepared when it comes to this sort of thing. In contrast, reports of Google firing executives late last year painted the exact opposite scenario. Kress says Nvidia continues to work with “all three memory suppliers [..] we’ve got them all in line and working with us. I don’t see another company doing that”.