Get ready for a significant hike in RAM and SSD prices! Simon Chen, the chairman of leading PC memory and SSD manufacturer Adata, warns that the burgeoning AI industry is causing a dramatic surge in demand. This intense competition for essential memory and storage components means that AI companies and large data centers are acquiring vast quantities, severely limiting the supply available for gaming PCs. As a direct consequence, gamers can already expect to see rising costs for RAM, SSDs, and even traditional hard drives.
This situation translates into higher costs for gamers looking to purchase or upgrade their PCs. If component manufacturers like Adata struggle to control expenses or maintain retail stock, prices for popular gaming RAM modules will inevitably climb. For those considering an upgrade, it might be wise to act sooner rather than later to potentially avoid these anticipated price increases.
Chen elaborated on this challenge in recent media comments, noting that the primary competition for crucial components now comes from large cloud service providers (CSPs) rather than fellow memory manufacturers. To navigate this, Adata is reportedly advising its teams to manage sales carefully, prioritizing essential customers and working to build up a stable reserve of components.
The shortages are impacting all significant memory and storage technologies, including DRAM memory modules, NAND flash used in SSDs and USB drives, and even conventional hard drives. DDR4 RAM is expected to see particularly sharp price increases, with Chen projecting a rise of up to 30% between late 2025 and early 2026 due to these supply limitations.
This isn’t an isolated warning; market research firm TrendForce also predicted memory price hikes earlier this year, highlighting DDR4 RAM as the most vulnerable. If the industry fails to resolve these supply chain issues, PC builders might face escalating component costs throughout next year, with no immediate solution on the horizon.
With potential price increases on the horizon, now might be a prudent time to consider your next gaming PC upgrade. If you’re focusing on storage, researching the best gaming SSDs is a great starting point. Alternatively, for those seeking a complete solution, exploring options for pre-built gaming PCs could be a smart move.
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