RAM Prices Soar 400% as AI Memory Shortage 2026 Hits Hardware Markets
Analyze the AI memory shortage 2026 impact as RAM prices skyrocket by 400%. Discover why Asus is discontinuing GPUs and what it means for the future of PC building.
Your next PC build just got significantly more expensive. Big Tech's insatiable hunger for AI infrastructure has triggered a massive memory shortage that's defining the 2026 tech landscape. Direct-to-consumer RAM kits are at the epicenter, with prices spiking by as much as 400% since the end of last year.
How the AI Memory Shortage 2026 Claims Its First GPU Victims
The crunch isn't just limited to system memory; it's bleeding into the GPU market. This week, Asus inadvertently signaled the severity of the crisis by announcing the discontinuation of its GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. Industry analysts suggest this move is a direct result of the tightening supply of memory modules required for high-end graphics cards.
From Standalone RAM to SSDs: The Price Ripple Effect
While SSD prices have seen more modest increases, the overall trend is clear. Long-term supply contracts held by major OEMs have shielded smartphones and laptops from immediate price hikes so far. However, as these agreements expire throughout 2026, the cost of nearly every memory-reliant device is expected to climb. The scarcity of NAND chips is further complicating the storage market, leaving enthusiasts with fewer affordable options.
This content is AI-generated based on source articles. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur. We recommend verifying with the original source.
Related Articles
Epic Games is banning paid prize wheels in Fortnite starting Jan 20, 2026. The move follows controversy surrounding Steal The Brainrot's V-Bucks gambling mechanics.
TikTok launches PineDrama, a standalone microdrama app in the US and Brazil. Targeting the $26B short-form drama market, it challenges ReelShort and DramaBox with 1-minute episodic content.
Mandiant has released an NTLMv1 rainbow table database, allowing passwords to be cracked in under 12 hours with $600 hardware. A wake-up call for legacy security.
OpenAI starts testing ads in the ChatGPT app and rolls out the $8 ChatGPT Go plan worldwide. See how this revenue shift impacts you.
Epic Games is banning paid prize wheels in Fortnite starting Jan 20, 2026. The move follows controversy surrounding Steal The Brainrot's V-Bucks gambling mechanics.
TikTok launches PineDrama, a standalone microdrama app in the US and Brazil. Targeting the $26B short-form drama market, it challenges ReelShort and DramaBox with 1-minute episodic content.
Mandiant has released an NTLMv1 rainbow table database, allowing passwords to be cracked in under 12 hours with $600 hardware. A wake-up call for legacy security.
OpenAI starts testing ads in the ChatGPT app and rolls out the $8 ChatGPT Go plan worldwide. See how this revenue shift impacts you.