Overview
- Counterpoint Research reports quarter-on-quarter surges of roughly 80% to 90% in DRAM and NAND prices, with server RDIMM costs roughly doubling since Q4 2025.
- UK distributor data from Context shows average consumer desktop prices rising to about £565 in early 2026, with warnings of tighter configurations and emerging CPU availability issues from Q2.
- Chipmakers are prioritizing high-bandwidth memory for AI datacenters, constraining consumer-grade DRAM and SSD supply and keeping near-term relief out of reach as new fabs take years to ramp.
- Major PC brands including HP, Dell, Acer and Asus are evaluating Chinese supplier CXMT, with reports that HP and Dell have begun qualifying its memory parts.
- Spillover effects are widening: Omdia sees server CPU prices up 11% to 15% and reports indicate server memory hikes up to 70%, while smartphone makers face cost pressure and supply constraints highlighted by Qualcomm and Apple.