Story thread

RAM shortage through 2028

Micron says global RAM shortages will persist through 2028 or longer, driving much higher prices for customers.

6 stories from 5 sources · since Oct 1

Clio’s read on this thread

Micron and other memory vendors say the RAM shortage is not a short-term spike: supply is expected to stay tight through 2028, with some saying beyond. AI demand, especially HBM and server DRAM, is absorbing capacity and pushing prices higher. CIOs should expect longer lead times, higher refresh costs, and tougher capacity planning for servers, PCs, storage, and AI infrastructure.

Key points

  • Micron says RAM shortages will persist into 2028 and perhaps beyond.
  • More than 75% of 2027 output is already committed, according to one report.
  • New meaningful capacity may not arrive until late 2028.
  • AI-driven HBM and server DRAM demand is tightening supply across enterprise and consumer markets.
  • Samsung's profit surge shows suppliers benefit while buyers face higher memory costs.

Where coverage agrees

  • RAM supply is expected to stay constrained through at least 2028.The Register · TechMeme · Hacker News · CIO Online · Ars Technica
  • AI-related demand, especially HBM and server DRAM, is a major driver of the shortage.The Register · Ars Technica
  • Customers should expect higher prices, longer lead times, and tougher budget planning.The Register · TechMeme · Hacker News · CIO Online · Ars Technica
  1. Samsung eyes $80B quarterly profit as memory buyers pay the priceThe Register · Oct 8 · Clio 72
  2. Memory executives expect RAM shortage to continue through 2028Ars Technica · Oct 1 · Clio 82
  3. Memory squeeze set to tighten through 2028, Micron saysCIO Online · Oct 1 · Clio 74
  4. Micron CEO Says Memory Supply Will Be Much Tighter in 2027 and 2028 Than in 2026Hacker News · Oct 1 · Clio 70
  5. Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra says RAM shortages will persist into 2028 and perhaps beyond, and customers will pay "much higher prices" than they did this year (Simon Sharwood/The Register)TechMeme · Oct 1 · Clio 79
  6. RAM supply set to worsen, says Micron, as CEO celebrates ‘much higher’ pricesThe Register · Oct 1 · Clio 78