Memory shortages and rising GPU prices signal prolonged PC hardware crisis through 2027

The ongoing shortage of RAM and other PC components is expected to persist into 2027, with major manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix warning of a prolonged downturn, driving up costs and affecting consumer hardware prices worldwide.

The crisis in RAM and broader PC hardware pricing is worsening as 2026 progresses, and the latest signals suggest the pressure may last well into next year and beyond. TechRadar reports that Samsung now expects memory supply conditions to remain tight through 2027, while SK Hynix has also warned of a prolonged downturn for buyers. At the same time, Apple is said to be struggling to secure fresh RAM supply from China, a sign that even the largest hardware companies are being pulled into a market shaped by shortages and rising costs.

The strain is no longer confined to memory modules. According to recent reports cited by TechRadar, DDR5 prices have reached record highs after earlier plateaus, mobile RAM costs have risen sharply and the effect is spreading into laptops, desktops and phones. GamesRadar meanwhile reported that gaming hardware prices in the United States rose 16% in the first half of 2026, reflecting a wider inflationary pattern across the sector. Deloitte analysis cited in recent coverage suggests that Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron are all ramping up capital spending, but that meaningful new supply may not arrive until 2029 or 2030.

Graphics cards now appear to be the most immediate concern for consumers. Reports from TechRadar and Tom’s Hardware indicate that Nvidia board partners and other manufacturers are already raising prices in parts of Asia, with some increases ranging from 20% to 40%. In South Korea, RTX 50-series cards have reportedly become much more expensive, with the flagship RTX 5090 reaching levels that would have been unthinkable only a month earlier. Those moves are being driven by costlier GDDR7 memory modules and higher wafer prices, and they may not stay confined to regional markets for long.

For buyers, the practical advice is increasingly simple: if a GPU upgrade is already on the horizon, this may be the moment to act. Lower-tier cards are still being sold close to recommended prices in some markets, but that window may narrow quickly if demand accelerates. A rush to buy could itself tighten supply further, especially if more customers move early in response to the same warnings. High-end gaming laptops may also become harder to justify later, because they carry the same graphics and memory pressures as desktop cards.

RAM and SSDs are a harder call. Prices have already climbed steeply, and further rises are possible, but the market also has limits: at some point, consumers simply stop buying. For now, reasonably priced memory or storage may still be worth securing if an upgrade is unavoidable. Even so, the clearest warning from current reporting is that the worst conditions may not yet be here. If Samsung’s outlook proves accurate, 2027 could be the hardest year for the memory market in recent history.