A recent forecast from SK Hynix suggests that a shortage of DRAM could extend until 2028, potentially leading to sustained higher prices for PC components. This anticipated scarcity is expected to affect a wide range of memory types, including current-generation DDR5 and GDDR7, as well as older DDR4, GDDR6, and mobile LPDDR.
The report, attributed to BullsLab Jay, indicates that the usual response of increasing production capacity for consumer-grade memory will not occur as inventory diminishes. This suggests a potential long-term increase in prices for consoles, graphics cards, and system memory.
This supply issue is primarily driven by a strategic shift towards AI infrastructure. SK Hynix reportedly stated that its most advanced memory technologies, specifically HBM and SOCAMM, are exempt from these shortages. The company plans to dedicate its manufacturing resources and capacity expansions almost exclusively to these memory types to meet the demands of the AI server market. While new equipment is being installed aggressively, it is entirely focused on advanced storage solutions and HBM for data centers, rather than the commodity DRAM used in consumer electronics.
This divergence in strategy highlights a growing divide within the semiconductor industry, where the needs of consumers appear to be secondary to the requirements of enterprise AI. Unless manufacturers increase the production of memory for consumer electronics, buyers should anticipate paying more for most memory-dependent devices.
