- AI data centers are gobbling up chips that were once intended for everyday consumers
- SSD and RAM prices are rising faster than anyone expected
- DDR4 memory is disappearing as manufacturers chase profits from new technologies
A growing shortage of memory chips and storage devices is starting to impact PC builders and consumers around the world, with some retailers reportedly suspending some sales to stop the stockpiling.
In Japan, several computer stores in the famous Akihabara district have begun limiting the sale of SSD drives. hard drivesand RAM because they are running low.
Distributors have also suspended deliveries, and stores say they are receiving far fewer deliveries than expected, leaving inventories thin and forcing some retailers to limit purchases to just a few units per customer.
Scarcity spreads across the market
The shortage is largely driven by rising demand for chips used in artificial intelligence data centers.
Manufacturers have reoriented production lines to high-quality solid state drivesDRAM and other components are needed for artificial intelligence infrastructure, leaving fewer parts available in the consumer market and causing shortages for both gamers and professionals.
As a result, memory prices have already doubled, and industry analysts expect them to rise further in the coming months.
Even older technologies like DDR4 RAM, which was once a cheaper alternative, are now harder to find.
Memory manufacturers are gradually abandoning DDR4 in favor of newer and more profitable ones DDR5 RAMcreating a bottleneck for anyone trying to upgrade older systems.
Companies still relying on DDR4 components are stockpiling what they can, causing prices to rise across the board.
Hard drive production will also be affected. Many manufacturers are now favoring high-capacity drives for AI servers over consumer hard drives, leaving retailers with fewer options.
Meanwhile, smaller PC makers such as Minisforum have already announced price increases on all models containing SSDs and DRAM, citing “a significant increase in our overall costs.”
While it may be reasonable to build new factories to solve this shortage problem, it is not a quick fix.
Chip factories take years to build, and with some experts warning that the current artificial intelligence boom could become a bubble, companies are hesitant to invest heavily in new capacity.
If the AI ​​market suddenly cools down, they risk being left with a huge oversupply, and no one is willing to take that risk.
For now, anyone planning to build or upgrade a computer will have to pay more and wait longer for parts.
By using Toms Hardware
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