The gaming PC world is going through what can only be described as a memory apocalypse. RAM prices have skyrocketed by as much as 500% in recent months, and gamers everywhere are feeling the pinch. In a surprising twist, ASUS is reportedly planning to enter the DRAM manufacturing market by the second quarter of 2026 to tackle the shortage head-on.
According to reports from Persian tech publication Sakhtafzarmag, which has a solid track record of accurately predicting tech news, ASUS is considering launching its own DRAM production lines if memory prices and supply issues don’t normalize soon. The move would primarily aim to supply memory for ASUS’s own product lineup, including laptops, desktops, and their popular ROG and TUF gaming series.
Why We’re in This Mess
The memory crisis didn’t happen overnight. AI data centers are consuming massive amounts of RAM and high-bandwidth memory for servers and GPUs. To put it in perspective, a single rack of NVIDIA’s GB300 AI solution uses enough memory for about a thousand laptops. When you multiply that by thousands of racks across countless data centers worldwide, you start to see the problem.
Major memory manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix, who together control 70% of the DRAM market, are prioritizing AI server orders because they pay significantly more. Samsung has admitted it can only fulfill 70% of current DRAM orders, and both companies have signaled they won’t rapidly expand production facilities to avoid potential oversupply if the AI bubble bursts.
The Real-World Impact on Gamers
If you’ve shopped for RAM lately, you’ve probably experienced sticker shock. Memory kits that cost around $80 to $100 for 32GB just months ago are now selling for $150 to $300 or more. Some retailers have reported DDR5 prices jumping 120% to 200% since early 2025.
This isn’t just affecting DIY builders. Major PC manufacturers like Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer, and yes, ASUS, have all announced they’ll be passing these increased costs to consumers. Dell is implementing price increases of up to 30%, while companies like CyberPowerPC have warned of price adjustments due to what they describe as a “dramatic 500% surge in RAM prices.” Framework, the modular laptop maker, raised memory upgrade prices by 50% and had to delist standalone memory modules to prevent scalping.
Motherboard sales have reportedly dropped by 50% compared to last year as enthusiasts delay upgrades, waiting for prices to stabilize. Industry analysts predict the memory shortage could persist through 2027 or even 2028.
Can ASUS Really Do This?
Here’s where things get complicated. Manufacturing DRAM chips isn’t like assembling a motherboard or graphics card. It requires billions of dollars in investment, specialized fabrication facilities, expensive lithography equipment from companies like ASML, and extensive cleanroom infrastructure. Building a chip fab typically takes five to ten years, depending on resources and urgency.
Some skeptics argue that ASUS might partner with existing manufacturers like CXMT, a Chinese memory maker that recently unveiled its own DDR5 and LPDDR5X RAM. This approach would be more realistic than building fabrication plants from scratch. ASUS could potentially source DRAM dies from partners and handle the module assembly and optimization themselves, ensuring better compatibility with their motherboards and competitive pricing for their laptops and desktops.
What This Means for the Industry
If ASUS successfully enters the memory market, even in a limited capacity, it could help relieve some pressure on supply constraints. The company is one of the largest PC component manufacturers globally, with the resources and manufacturing expertise to make a meaningful impact.
For gamers, this could mean more reasonably priced ASUS gaming laptops and motherboard bundles with optimized memory. The ROG Zephyrus, TUF Gaming, and other popular product lines could benefit from vertically integrated memory supply chains that protect against price volatility.
However, experts warn this won’t solve the broader industry crisis. The real bottleneck is at the fabrication level, where only a handful of companies have the technology and capacity to produce cutting-edge memory chips. Unless ASUS plans to build actual fabs, which seems unlikely given the time and cost involved, their entry would only address a small portion of the problem.
The Timeline Question
The rumor suggests ASUS could launch DRAM production by the end of Q2 2026, which is ambitious to say the least. Even if they’re partnering with existing manufacturers rather than building fabs, ramping up production, ensuring quality control, and meeting industry standards for memory modules takes considerable time.
Industry watchers are approaching this news with cautious optimism. While Sakhtafzarmag has correctly predicted major tech developments before, the technical and financial challenges of entering the memory market are substantial. ASUS would need to navigate existing patents, secure supply agreements, and potentially face geopolitical complications depending on where they source components.
FAQs
Why are RAM prices so high right now?
AI data centers are consuming enormous amounts of memory for servers and GPUs, causing major manufacturers to prioritize high-margin AI orders over consumer products. This has created severe supply shortages for PC and laptop RAM, driving prices up by 200% to 500% in some cases.
When will RAM prices go back to normal?
Industry analysts predict the memory shortage will continue through 2027 or possibly 2028. Major manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix are cautiously expanding production but not fast enough to meet surging demand. Micron’s new DRAM facility in Japan won’t start shipping until late 2028.
Should I buy RAM now or wait?
If you desperately need a RAM upgrade, buying sooner rather than later might be wise since prices are expected to continue rising through 2026. However, if you can wait and your current setup works fine, holding off might save you money if the market stabilizes in 2027.
Can ASUS really manufacture DRAM chips?
Building a DRAM fabrication facility from scratch would take 5-10 years and billions of dollars. More likely, ASUS would partner with existing manufacturers to source DRAM dies and handle module assembly, branding, and optimization in-house. This is more feasible and could still provide supply chain benefits.
Will ASUS making RAM help lower prices?
It could help stabilize prices for ASUS products specifically, but it won’t solve the industry-wide shortage. The real bottleneck is fabrication capacity, which only a handful of companies can expand. ASUS entering the market might provide some relief but won’t dramatically change the overall supply situation.
How does this affect gaming laptops and prebuilt PCs?
Gaming laptop and prebuilt PC prices are rising across the board as manufacturers pass memory costs to consumers. Companies like Dell, Lenovo, and HP have announced 15-30% price increases for 2026. If ASUS controls its own memory supply, it could offer more competitive pricing on ROG and TUF products.
What other companies are affected by the RAM shortage?
Practically every PC manufacturer is affected. Framework raised memory prices by 50%, CyberPowerPC announced system price hikes, and even Nvidia is reportedly cutting gaming GPU production by up to 40% due to VRAM supply issues. The shortage impacts the entire computing ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
ASUS potentially entering the DRAM market represents a bold response to an industry crisis that’s hurting gamers and PC enthusiasts worldwide. While the technical challenges are substantial and the timeline aggressive, even a partial success could provide meaningful relief for ASUS customers and potentially inspire other manufacturers to pursue similar strategies.
Whether this rumor materializes into reality remains to be seen, but it highlights just how desperate the situation has become. The memory shortage is reshaping the PC gaming landscape, forcing companies to think creatively about supply chains and vertical integration. For now, gamers can only hope that between increased production from traditional manufacturers and potential new entrants like ASUS, the memory apocalypse might end sooner rather than later.
Until then, that RAM upgrade you’ve been planning might have to wait a bit longer, or cost a whole lot more than you budgeted for.