Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have reportedly sold through their 2027 RAM manufacturing capacity to AI companies, per a Digitimes report. This aligns with ongoing RAMageddon, where long-term contracts pre-order memory for years ahead. Retail prices are expected to surge as supply remains constrained. The issue extends to NAND storage, with demand outpacing supply. For example, the Western Digital SN7100 SSD rose from $110 to $189 in six months. Without new capacity, affordability challenges may persist. Consumer products like the Xbox Series X and Steam Machine face price hikes due to memory costs. Jackie Thomas, IGN’s Hardware Editor, laments the crisis, hoping an AI bubble burst could ease RAM prices below $500.

The report notes no additional 2027 supply is planned, exacerbating scarcity. Companies securing memory via multi-year deals ensure sustained demand. While NAND has more suppliers than DRAM, its rising cost mirrors RAM trends. SSDs like the SN7100 highlight broader hardware price inflation. Analysts warn that without capacity expansion, RAM prices will remain elevated.

Jackie Thomas emphasizes the crisis’s ripple effects. Even non-memory products are impacted, as seen in recent console and PC pricing. The reliance on AI-driven memory procurement deepens the problem. Unless manufacturing scales significantly, consumers face prolonged shortages. The article underscores the urgency of addressing supply chain bottlenecks to mitigate future costs.

The core issue lies in AI companies’ aggressive purchasing. Their long-term agreements lock in demand, making it unlikely prices will drop soon. While NAND offers some relief, its growth mirrors RAM’s trajectory. Experts suggest monitoring capacity expansions or shifts in AI investment as potential solutions. For now, the RAM crisis appears entrenched, with no clear end in sight.