Micron, one of many world’s largest reminiscence producers, expects the continued RAM scarcity to final till 2027. That is in line with Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra, who mentioned at this time throughout the firm’s 2026 third-quarter earnings name that the unprecedented demand going through the semiconductor business will not decelerate anytime quickly.
βWe count on tight circumstances to proceed into 2027 and past on account of structural provide constraints and AI-driven demand throughout all segments,β Mehrotra mentioned.
Semiconductors, the chips used to make pc {hardware} resembling RAM, graphics card VRAM, and SSDs, have seen their costs rise considerably lately, largely as a consequence of demand to be used in AI knowledge facilities. Micron itself exited the patron market late final 12 months in favor of its burgeoning knowledge center-centric enterprise, ending assist for Essential, the patron model that made a few of our favourite SSD and RAM kits.
In consequence, the costs of most of the parts and techniques used to construct gaming {hardware}, from single sticks of RAM to finish techniques just like the PS5, Xbox Collection X, and Steam Machine, are additionally rising in value. Particularly, the Steam Machine was initially scheduled to price round $750, however was launched at $1,050 as a consequence of the price of the underlying {hardware}.
Mehrotra’s feedback sadly imply that RAMpocalypse is not ending anytime quickly, and {hardware} costs are anticipated to proceed to rise.
“Whereas we count on business provide to progressively enhance in 2028, it’s at present unclear when reminiscence provide will have the ability to sustain with elevated demand,” Mehrotra mentioned.
Solely time will inform, however developments do not bode effectively for the PlayStation 6 and Xbox Undertaking Helix, which can inevitably launch at reasonably priced value factors.
Bo Moore is videogameaddicted’s Senior Supervisor of Know-how. He might be discovered on-line @usebomswisely.