PC manufacturers are currently going through a very difficult period. Despite having sufficient capital, they are struggling to secure the necessary memory supplies. Recent reports from the sector indicate that the PC industry has reached a point of “desperation.” Technology giants like ASUS, HP, and Dell are trying to secure long-term contracts (LTAs) with suppliers like Samsung and SK Hynix to keep their production lines running. However, these efforts are currently fruitless as memory supply is insufficient to meet current demand.
Manufacturers are desperate: 8GB RAM may remain the standard
According to a report published by Korean media outlet Chosun Biz, DDR5 memory prices are expected to increase by up to 45% next year. This increase, on top of already high prices, has completely disrupted the balance in the PC industry. Manufacturers have limited options to combat this crisis. The first option is to pass on the increased costs to consumers by raising product prices. However, this is not preferred by companies as it would reduce buyer interest.
The second option is to restrict the hardware specifications of the products. Although the software world now recommends a minimum of 16 GB of memory as standard for modern laptops, manufacturers plan to continue using 8 GB of RAM in mid-range devices. With this strategy, companies aim to create a temporary solution by spreading their limited DRAM stock across more products. This means that the performance increases users expect will be hampered on the hardware side.
The third and most radical solution on the table is to postpone product launches. There are already signs that steps are being taken in this direction in the industry. It is rumored that NVIDIA’s RTX 50 SUPER series has been pushed back to the second quarter of 2026, and AMD’s RDNA 5 GPUs to the second half of 2027. Sources within the industry indicate that postponing product launches or downsizing the high-end product range will become an unavoidable necessity.
While major GPU manufacturers are considering changing their schedules, processor giants like Intel and AMD are trying to operate according to their existing memory stocks. It’s safe to say the PC supply chain is entering a period of “shortage” regarding next-generation products. This means that currently available models will likely remain on shelves for months longer than expected. There seems to be little that can be done in the short term to address the memory shortage.
So, what are your thoughts on the rising prices and potential delays? Are you planning to buy a new computer, or are you considering sticking with your current device for a while longer?
