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Chinese DRAM and NAND Win First Major Slots in PCs and Modules

Vendors are adopting China-made memory to secure supply in response to AI-driven allocations by global suppliers.

Overview

  • Major module and PC brands have begun qualifying or shipping products that use China-made DRAM and NAND from CXMT and YMTC, with Corsair, HP, Dell and some Lenovo systems reported to be testing or using the parts.
  • The shift follows a reallocation by Samsung, Micron and SK hynix that favors higher‑margin AI and data‑center customers and has tightened retail supply and pushed up memory prices.
  • CXMT is expanding production capacity and preparing for an initial public offering, with reports saying output could rise from about 200,000 wafers per month toward roughly 300,000 by year-end.
  • China’s suppliers make chips on trailing‑edge deep‑UV processes such as CXMT’s 16nm (G4) node because U.S. export controls block advanced EUV tools, which affects performance tradeoffs and long‑term roadmaps.
  • Geopolitical risk remains: a widely shared X/Twitter post that Google is ‘evaluating’ CXMT procurement is unverified and Reuters has reported the U.S. considered but delayed blacklisting CXMT and other firms, leaving future deals uncertain.