Overview
- Google unveiled TurboQuant last week, a compression method it says cuts the key‑value cache used by AI models by about six times.
- Following the reveal, memory makers saw sharp share declines, with Western Digital down 8.5% on Monday and off 20.5% since March 19, and SanDisk down about seven percent.
- Retail checks show only modest DDR5 discounts, such as $50 to $60 off popular 32 GB kits that still list at roughly $440 to $500, and some cuts started before the announcement.
- PC hardware outlets caution that there is no clear market‑wide return to past low prices yet and say it is too early to call a lasting downturn.
- TrendForce says lower AI costs could spur long‑context and edge workloads that raise demand for high‑bandwidth and main memory, while helium supply strains tied to the Persian Gulf conflict could limit output.