First RAM, now circuit boards: AI demand is stretching some PCB orders to 30 months

AI-driven demand for printed circuit boards (PCBs) is straining supply, with some orders taking up to 30 months to fulfill. This is causing headaches for PC makers like HP and Dell, who are struggling to secure enough PCBs for their 2027 product lines. The issue is not limited to board capacity, but also extends to high-end memory, which has already been significantly depleted by the AI infrastructure boom.

Several PCB manufacturers have shifted to prioritize higher-margin AI server work, leaving PC makers with fewer standard boards to choose from. The situation is worsened by the fact that AI server boards require more complex designs, with three to five times as many layers as conventional PCBs. This leads to increased material and factory time for each board.

Some suppliers have even reported lead times of 30 months for orders, while others claim their orders won't be filled until late 2028. The root cause of the problem lies in the upstream bottlenecks, such as limited capacity for advanced substrates and memory chips. While major vendors may weather the storm due to existing contracts, smaller PC makers may face higher prices or thinner specifications if they cannot secure PCB supplies in time.