AI demand pushes memory and SSD costs towards 40% of PC production costs
Memory and SSD prices are rising as chipmakers shift capacity towards AI-server products, squeezing supply for consumer devices. Omdia estimates the components now make up close to 40% of PC bill-of-materials costs, while TrendForce forecasts conventional DRAM prices will rise 10–15% and NAND flash prices 15–20% quarter on quarter in 2026’s fourth quarter. Gigabyte is extending support for future Intel processors to some older DDR4 motherboards, offering buyers a way to keep existing hardware.
Bottom line — TrendForce expects DRAM supply to remain tight in 2027, while Deloitte says new fabrication capacity may not arrive until 2029 or 2030.
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TrendForce says AI-server demand is drawing advanced DRAM capacity away from PC and mobile products.
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IDC’s preliminary figures put global PC shipments at 62.7 million in 2026’s third quarter, down 20.1% year on year.
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TrendForce forecasts conventional DRAM contract prices up 10–15% and NAND flash up 15–20% quarter on quarter in 2026’s fourth quarter.
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TrendForce says PC makers are cutting SSD capacities in mainstream models to reduce production costs.
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Enterprise SSD demand is forecast by TrendForce to grow by more than 80% in 2026, with price increases expected to accelerate in the fourth quarter.
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Deloitte estimates the three largest memory makers may increase combined capital spending nearly 340% between 2024 and 2027, but says extra supply will take years to arrive.