The RAM crisis continues to impact the tech and hardware industry on dangerous levels, as companies scramble to secure RAM at any affordable range it can find. We’ve already seen it affect the gaming industry following console price hikes and PC components getting exponentially more expensive and scarce. With steeper investments into AI, the major tech companies are now facing several more years of the crisis, according to a new report.

Reuters reports that the biggest problem right now isn’t even the pricing but securing enough memory in the first place. Conventional DRAM and other memory used in consumer electronics and devices remains under pressure, with DRAM contract prices expected to raise another 18% in the next quarter. It’s certainly slower than the massive 93% seen in the last quarter but it’s still substantial enough for companies to strain their budget margins as well as consumer wallets.



2027 could potentially be the worst year for the RAM crisis, experts have warned, though it probably won’t show signs of slowing down afterwards. Analysts expect the crisis to continue beyond 2030 – even if the memory shortage issue is addressed, it could take a few more years of recovery and stabilisation. That’s also contending with the fact that consumers will now be spending far less on electronics and devices, with scarcity potentially hiking prices up even further into unaffordable territory for many buyers.

Steam Machine engineers at Valve previously shared a similar sentiment, claiming the RAM crisis will only get worse from here. As a result, Valve had to price the Steam Machine at well over $1,000 and companies like PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo may continue to hike up the prices of consoles should this trend continue. This will also negatively impact the next generation of consoles, with price tags for the PS6 and Xbox Helix speculated to hit over $1,000 as well.

Source: Reuters

Original article on GLITCHED