- AI data centers are gobbling up chips once intended for ordinary consumers
- The price of SSDs and RAM is rising faster than anyone expected
- DDR4 memory is disappearing as manufacturers chase profits in newer technologies
A growing shortage of storage and memory chips has begun to hit PC builders and consumers worldwide, with some retailers reportedly halting some sales to stop hoarding.
In Japan, several computer stores in the famous Akihabara area have started to limit sales of SSDs, HDDs and RAM because their stock is running low.
Distributors have also paused deliveries and stores say they are receiving far fewer shipments than expected, leaving inventories thin and forcing some retailers to limit their purchases to just a few units per month. customer.
Lack of waves over the market
The shortage is mainly driven by the increasing demand for chips used in AI data centers.
Manufacturers have shifted production lines towards the high end SSDs, DRAM and other components required for AI infrastructure, leaving fewer parts available for the consumer market, and gamers and professionals alike are feeling the pressure.
As a result, memory prices have already doubled, and industry analysts expect them to rise even more in the coming months.
Even older technologies like DDR4 RAM, once a cheaper alternative, are now harder to find.
Memory manufacturers are phasing out DDR4 in favor of the newer and more profitable DDR5 RAM, creating a bottleneck for anyone trying to upgrade older systems.
Companies that still rely on DDR4 components are stockpiling everything they can, driving prices higher across the board.
HDD production is also affected. Many manufacturers are now prioritizing high-capacity drives for AI servers over consumer hard drives, leaving retailers with fewer options.
Meanwhile, smaller PC makers like Minisforum have already announced price increases on all models that include SSDs and DRAM, citing a “significant increase in our overall costs.”
While it may be reasonable to build new factories to address this shortage, this is not a quick fix.
Chip manufacturing takes years to build, and with some experts warning that the current AI boom could be a bubble, companies are hesitant to invest heavily in new capacity.
If the AI market suddenly cools, they risk being left with a massive oversupply, and no one is willing to take that risk.
For now, anyone planning to build or upgrade a PC will have to pay more and wait longer for parts.
Via Tom’s Hardware
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