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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware) Major PC brands, system integrators, and memory makers are now panic-buying memory chips and modules as the DRAM and NAND chip shortage is taking hold. According to DigiTimes , numerous companies are in a race to build up their stocks as data centers are swallowing up supply, leaving the consumer industry scrambling to get memory modules. Asus said that its memory inventory for production and those that are already in finished products sit at two months, which should be enough for the remainder of 2025. However, unless the situation changes, the company will start feeling the pinch of the shortage by 2026, requiring it to adjust its prices accordingly.
While most large companies like Asus and MSI typically have contracts with memory chip manufacturers, reports say that they’re also now purchasing a lot of inventory in the spot market, where prices are more volatile, presumably to shore up their supply. This is a major change and could be a sign of things to come, as it usually only hosts low-volume purchases from smaller companies or when a major institution needs to acquire more memory modules due to unforeseen demand. These actions in the spot market are increasing pricing pressure, and it’s already being felt by retail customers.
RAM prices have jumped by 100% or more recently, and we’ve even heard reports of some Japanese shops limiting sales volume per customer because of limited deliveries, with some products remaining out of stock from distributors. Even memory kit makers are reportedly delaying the launch of new models due to the memory supply crunch, with products scheduled for launch in the last quarter of 2025 being moved to 2026.
Samsung raises memory chip prices by up to 60% since September, according to reports
DRAM prices surge 171% year-over-year, outpacing gold price increases
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/dram/asus-msi-other-manufacturers-panic-buying-ram-stocks-while-major-memory-chipmakers-rake-in-profits-massive-demand-for-hbm-and-rdimm-for-data-centers-driving-shortage#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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Informational only. No financial advice. Do your own research.