IT market research and data analytics firm IDC released an update on the global memory crisis, offering new forecast numbers as the more companies hike memory chip prices. Although IDC said that it still stands by its original forecast that the PC market will contract by 2.4% in 2026, it also added two additional scenarios based on the evolving situation with the worldwide NAND and DRAM supply. The moderate scenario sees a 4.9% decline in the sales, while a more pessimistic forecast shows a larger 8.9% contraction of the PC market. This downward trend would be accompanied by a jump in overall acquisition costs, with moderate forecasts hinting at a 4% to 6% increase in prices, but pessimistic ones suggesting price rises of up to 8%.
Several companies — from memory makers to PC manufacturers and system integrators — have already announced that they will increase pre-built PC costs. Dell and Lenovo, some of the biggest makers of enterprise and consumer PCs, have said that they will adjust their prices by as much as 15%. Other manufacturers have stopped selling standalone RAM, with Framework doing this to ward off scalpers, while some pre-built manufacturers have given customers the option to buy a system without memory modules.
Would you buy a prebuilt without memory modules today?
Due to ongoing RAM shortages and the price of ram skyrocketing, we are now providing the option to select no ram in the build section of our website! If you already have RAM sticks or can source them elsewhere, feel free to use this option ✅ pic.twitter.com/rlGLPpfznCDecember 19, 2025
This memory meltdown is caused by the sudden burgeoning demand for HBM used in AI data centers. Since the wafers for these high-performance chips use the same production lines as consumer memory, many manufacturers chose to allocate more production capacity to these chips, simply as they’re far more lucrative. And while they could expand production capacity or even build new fabs to make more chips for either data centers or consumers, they chose not to as they’re hedging their bets against an AI bubble. After all, building a new production facility will cost billions of dollars and will take years to finish, by which time the demand could no longer be there.
So, whether you plan to upgrade your system memory or storage, buy a new laptop, or even build a completely new system on your own, a Kingston rep recommended that you do it sooner rather than wait for lower prices. RAM and SSD prices are expected to continue rising in 2026, that’s why you shouldn’t hold off on that purchase, but only if you really need it. If your system is still good for another couple of years, consider holding off on that update until the situation stabilizes — but no one is sure until when the pricing apocalypse will last, with estimates ranging from six months to a decade.
Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News, or add us as a preferred source, to get our latest news, analysis, & reviews in your feeds.