Global RAM & GPU Shortages: 2025–2026

What’s Causing the Shortages?

The semiconductor industry is currently experiencing a significant shortage of memory chips (such as GPUs, DRAM and DDR5), driven largely by the booming demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure. AI servers and data centres consume large amounts of high-performance memory, including High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) and DRAM, which has shifted manufacturing capacity away from consumer products and caused prices to surge.

Alongside memory chips, graphics processing units (GPUs) are also being affected. Many modern GPUs rely on specialised memory (GDDR6/GDDR7), and constrained supply of these components — plus manufacturers prioritising enterprise or high-margin products — is limiting availability for consumer GPUs.

Effects on RAM and Consumer Ecosystems

Memory prices have increased dramatically in recent months, with spot prices for DDR5 modules rising sharply compared with the previous year and contract prices rising steeply as companies secure capacity for data-centre deployments.

These increases not only push up the cost of standalone RAM kits for PCs and laptops but also raise production costs for many consumer electronics and computer systems. Some smartphone manufacturers have reportedly adjusted production targets due to RAM scarcity.

GPU Availability and Prices

Graphics cards, especially those at the mid- to high-end, are now harder to find in stock — partly because memory shortages limit GPU production. Some reports indicate GPU makers may shift focus away from certain models or revise production plans to cope with constrained memory availability.

In some cases, specific GPU product lines have seen reduced allocations or production pauses, contributing to price increases in the secondary market and scarcity on retail shelves.

Industry Outlook

Analysts warn that this shortage may persist through much of 2026 and potentially until new fabrication capacity comes online closer to 2028. Manufacturers are adjusting strategies — such as focusing on higher-margin products or reallocating memory capacity — but consumer markets are left with tighter supply and higher prices in the meantime.

Recent Headlines

• Memory chip prices and shortages are posing renewed challenges for PC builders and consumers, with data centres consuming the lion’s share of supply.
• Nvidia and others are adjusting GPU production plans in response to memory shortages affecting GDDR supply.
• Major smartphone makers face production constraints due to RAM scarcity.
• Industry efforts are underway to resolve the memory shortage, but relief may take years.