Big Tech’s AI-fueled memory shortage is set to be the PC industry’s defining story for 2026 and beyond. Standalone, direct-to-consumer RAM kits were some of the first products to feel the bite, with prices spiking by 300 or 400 percent by the end of 2025; prices for SSDs had also increased noticeably, albeit more modestly.
The rest of 2026 is going to be all about where, how, and to what extent those price spikes flow downstream into computers, phones, and other components that use RAM and NAND chips—areas where the existing supply of products and longer-term supply contracts negotiated by big companies have helped keep prices from surging too noticeably so far.
This week, we’re seeing signs that the RAM crunch is starting to affect the GPU market—Asus made some waves when it inadvertently announced that it was discontinuing its GeForce RTX 5070 Ti.
This post highlights a significant issue affecting the tech industry. It’s interesting to see how the AI boom is influencing hardware availability across various sectors. It will be fascinating to watch how companies adapt to this ongoing challenge.
You’re right; the impact on the tech industry is profound. It’s also fascinating to consider how these shortages might drive innovation in memory technology, as companies look for alternative solutions to meet demand.