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As we close out December 2025, the RAM and SSD shortage—fueled by explosive AI demand—has driven prices sky-high, with DRAM contract costs surging up to 171% year-over-year and NAND flash doubling in months. Businesses and consumers are asking: Will this crisis stay limited to memory and storage, or spread to other PC and server components like GPUs, CPUs, or even power supplies? Industry forecasts point to yes—the crunch is expanding, with hard disk drives (HDDs) already in severe shortage and ripple effects hitting broader hardware.
The Current Crisis: RAM and SSDs in the Spotlight
The root cause remains AI's insatiable appetite for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and enterprise-grade components. Manufacturers like Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron have shifted production lines from consumer DRAM and NAND to profitable AI-focused chips, creating a "perfect storm" for shortages.
- DRAM/RAM: Prices have doubled (or more) in recent months, with no relief expected until 2027-2028 as new fabs come online.
- NAND/SSDs: Spot prices jumped sharply in December, with retailers rationing stock and experts warning of ongoing tightness through 2026.
This isn't isolated—it's the first time in decades that DRAM, NAND, and HDDs are all constrained simultaneously.
Expanding to Other Components: HDDs Lead the Way
Experts warn the crisis won't stay confined to RAM and SSDs. Silicon Motion's CEO described 2026 as facing "severe shortages" in HDDs, DRAM, HBM, and NAND—an unprecedented overlap.
- Hard Disk Drives (HDDs): Hyperscalers are shifting from HDDs to SSDs for faster AI workloads, but HDD production hasn't kept pace. Nearline HDD shortages are already reported, with retailers limiting purchases alongside RAM and SSDs.
- Knock-On Effects: As data centers hoard enterprise storage, consumer HDDs (for NAS or backups) face delays and price hikes.
Analysts like TrendForce and Phison predict this multi-category crunch persisting into 2027, potentially shrinking PC and smartphone markets in 2026 due to inflated costs.
Broader Impacts: GPUs, CPUs, and Beyond?
While memory/storage bears the brunt, AI demand is rippling elsewhere:
- GPUs: GDDR memory shortages and tariff uncertainties are pushing prices above MSRP, with rumors of AMD/NVIDIA adjustments.
- CPUs: Intel faces tightening supply on older nodes into 2026; AMD rumors suggest hikes amid overall component pressure.
- Other Risks: Advanced packaging (e.g., CoWoS for AI chips) is booked solid, and geopolitical factors could constrain mature-node chips used in power supplies or motherboards.
However, GPUs and CPUs aren't in "crisis" mode yet—availability is better than memory, though prices are creeping up indirectly.
Outlook for 2026: Relief Delayed, But Not Forever
Most forecasts agree: Peak pain hits in H1 2026 as inventories deplete, with normalization possibly in 2027-2028 when new capacity ramps. If AI demand moderates (e.g., via efficiency gains or a "bubble" cool-off), pressure could ease sooner.
For businesses navigating upgrades:
- Stock up on critical components now if possible.
- Explore alternatives like refurbished hardware for cost-effective, immediate availability.
At Servnet, we specialize in high-quality refurbished servers and storage that bypass new-hardware shortages—often with 50-80% savings and ready stock.
With RAM and SSD prices still soaring into late 2025, the crisis is spreading beyond just memory. Contact Servnet today at sales@servnetuk.com or call 0800 987 4111 for a no-obligation quote on resilient, budget-friendly solutions. Secure your infrastructure. Own the comeback.
