According to TrendForce investigations reported by TechPowerUp, the memory market is facing a significant price surge in the first quarter of 2026. DRAM suppliers are reallocating advanced process nodes and new capacity toward high-margin server and HBM products to satisfy booming AI server demand. This strategic pivot has severely constrained supply in other sectors, driving conventional DRAM contract prices up by 55-60% quarter-over-quarter.

Similarly, disciplined capacity management by NAND Flash suppliers and strong server demand are pushing contract prices for all NAND categories up by 33-38%. The impact is cascading to the consumer market; despite sluggish PC demand and potential specification downgrades, PC DRAM prices are set to spike. Suppliers are tightening supply to PC OEMs and module makers, forcing OEMs to buy at a premium from third parties.

This supply chain pressure ensures that module pricing will rise sharply, affecting PC builders and consumers directly.