AI-driven DRAM crunch pushes memory into hourly pricing and prepayment, report says
Mar 4th 2026
A DigiTimes report says AI-driven demand has pushed DRAM and NAND into volatile hourly pricing and cash-first terms that favor the biggest buyers, leaving small and mid-size firms at risk as prices surge.
- DigiTimes reports memory quotes are shifting on an hourly basis as AI demand tightens supply.
- Roughly 100 top buyers secure priority allocation while about 190,000 small and mid-size firms compete for remaining stock.
- Samsung, SK hynix and Micron are increasingly requiring prepayment or cash before confirming orders.
- TrendForce forecasts Q1 2026 DRAM contract prices up 90 to 95 percent quarter over quarter and NAND up 55 to 60 percent, while DigiTimes warns DRAM could climb another 70 percent in Q2 2026.
- HP says DRAM now accounts for 35 percent of its PC build cost and Gartner projects PC shipments down over 10 percent and smartphone shipments down about 8 percent in 2026 due to memory costs.
- Analysts warn SMEs and white-box vendors will be hit hardest and that widespread exits by smaller buyers could flip tight capacity into oversupply, exposing the shortage as temporary.