Memory Markets Enter Panic Buying Phase as ASUS and MSI Rush to Secure RAM Inventory

The global memory industry has now entered what analysts describe as a panic buying phase, as supply shortages tighten and manufacturers race to secure remaining stock before prices rise even further.

According to a new report from DigiTimes, vendors including ASUS and MSI have begun heavily purchasing DRAM on the spot market, a move that indicates deep concern over production constraints and upcoming price surges. The shortages are expected to continue well into 2027, placing long term pressure on memory pricing across both consumer and enterprise segments.

The current shortage stems from explosive demand in data center and AI acceleration markets. With cloud service providers aggressively acquiring RDIMM modules and HBM reaching record demand levels, DRAM manufacturers are unable to keep up. This has led several suppliers to halt new quotations for consumer memory entirely, signaling that available supply is being absorbed at a rapid pace.

This ripple effect is already visible in the PC industry. ASUS recently warned that consumer device pricing could rise sharply if DRAM shortages persist, highlighting that current inventory levels may only last a few weeks. Similar concerns have been voiced across the industry, pushing vendors to secure as much memory as possible before further increases hit.

One of the reasons this shortage may last longer than expected is the timing of the demand surge. Before the AI boom, the DRAM industry was experiencing a prolonged downtrend. Manufacturers such as Samsung and SK hynix cut production output to stabilize profitability during slow market periods. Once AI driven demand surged, production capacity could not be increased quickly enough.

The supply chain is still in the process of recalibrating production volumes, a shift that may take many months or longer. In the meantime, demand far exceeds available supply, reinforcing the upward pressure on pricing.

While the booming demand is undeniably favorable for suppliers and memory manufacturers, the outlook for consumers is far less positive. Higher DRAM and HBM contract prices will inevitably translate to more expensive laptops, desktops, mini PCs, handheld gaming devices, and prebuilt systems.

With shortages projected to run through 2027, consumers may be facing a long period of elevated memory pricing and reduced availability.

Do you think vendors stockpiling memory will stabilize prices or make the shortage worse? Share your thoughts below.