Samsung's latest report suggests the RAM crisis is only just getting started — could we be looking at a new normal?

Samsung's latest report indicates that the RAM crisis may only be just beginning, potentially ushering in a new era of memory shortages through 2028. The ongoing scarcity of memory chips is set to intensify in 2027, leading to higher retail prices for RAM kits, game consoles, and pre-built PCs. Samsung's memory chief, Jaejune Kim, warned investors during their latest earnings call that supply constraints are likely to worsen through 2028, with little likelihood of a supply increase in the interim.

The RAM crisis is not just affecting Samsung. Deloitte predicts the combined capital expenditure of the big three RAM manufacturers - Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron - will nearly quadruple from 2024 to 2027. However, new supply from this increased spending is only expected to reach the market around 2029 or 2030, suggesting that the RAM crisis is just beginning.

This RAM shortage is impacting not only Samsung but also other major players in the industry. Gamesbeat reports that Deloitte's forecast mirrors Samsung's, with an anticipated surge in the big three's spending from 2024 to 2027. However, the new supply from this increased spending is unlikely to arrive until 2029 or 2030, reinforcing that the RAM crisis is only just starting.

The situation is further compounded by the rising prices of GPUs. Nvidia has introduced older models like the RTX 3060, while AMD has unveiled a new Radeon RX 9050 8GB GPU. These moves indicate that the market is at an all-time low, with no immediate signs of respite. The RAM crisis could, therefore, be a new norm, drastically reshaping the PC hardware market and setting the stage for an unstable future.