According to the latest research report from TrendForce, PC memory supply may further contract in 2027, as storage manufacturers continue to shift production capacity toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) required for AI accelerators and other data center storage products.
This could drive up memory prices for consumers and exacerbate shortages in the retail market.
This supply shortage has a particularly significant impact on DIY PC builders and users upgrading their memory separately. Large PC manufacturers have secured supplies through long-term contracts, while retail memory brands face fiercer competition for the remaining chip supply.
It is understood that more than 70% of Samsung's PC memory output has already been reserved through such agreements, meaning smaller system assemblers, memory module brands, and retail buyers may face tighter supply conditions.
From another perspective, although storage manufacturers are increasing production capacity, the demand for AI infrastructure continues to absorb the incremental supply. Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, the three major manufacturers, are currently prioritizing data center-related products, as demand in this sector remains robust.
Micron stated that overall memory supply has increased by 25%, but prices continue to rise. Further expansion of production capacity is expected to be limited until new factories come online in 2029.
Beyond production capacity, HBM is also a major source of pressure. Unlike conventional DDR memory, HBM consumes more wafer capacity per usable GB, thereby squeezing the manufacturing space for standard DRAM.
Additionally, AI systems are competing with other consumer devices for storage resources: servers require DDR5, AI workstations use VRAM, and compact AI PCs compete with laptops for the same type of LPDDR memory.
Price pressures have already begun to manifest. Some system integrators report that memory prices rose by approximately 15% in early Q4 2026, while TrendForce had previously predicted a year-end increase of 15% to 20%.
If PC DRAM supply remains tight in 2027 while demand stays strong, consumers may once again face a difficult year for memory upgrades. Those who already have a PC can hold steady, while those without one or in urgent need should act quickly.