Read More The tech industry is currently going through a major memory crisis, and it looks like things could get even worse over the next few years. According to industry executives, RAM and SSD prices are expected to continue rising as demand for AI servers keeps consuming huge amounts of global memory supply.
Over the past year, PC gamers and enthusiasts have already seen the effects firsthand. DDR5 memory kits have become more expensive, SSD prices have climbed sharply, and even basic PC upgrades now cost far more than they did before. Unfortunately, companies in the memory industry believe this trend is far from over.
One of the biggest concerns comes from Team Group CEO Gerry Chen, who recently explained that AI-related demand now takes up around 40% to 50% of the entire memory market. That includes both DRAM, which is used in RAM, and NAND flash memory, which powers SSD storage. According to Chen, most memory production planned for 2026 and 2027 already has buyers lined up.
This is creating a serious supply problem across the market. While AI companies and server manufacturers are buying massive amounts of memory hardware, there is less supply left for regular consumers and gaming PCs. As a result, manufacturers are struggling to keep enough stock available for the broader market.
The problem is not limited to one type of component either. DRAM shortages are affecting RAM prices, while NAND shortages are impacting SSDs. Chen believes the overall supply shortage could continue until at least 2028, meaning price increases may become the norm for the foreseeable future.
Server hardware prices are reportedly increasing at a rate of roughly 30% every quarter, and industry experts believe consumer PC components could eventually follow the same path. If more memory production shifts toward AI infrastructure and data centers, regular PC users may end up competing for an even smaller share of available supply.