Samsung, who've been accused of worsening the RAM crisis via price fixing, reckon components will only get more expensive in 2027

Samsung projects that RAM and memory component prices will climb higher through 2027, with supply constraints persisting until 2028 at the earliest. The projection comes from one of the world's largest chip manufacturers, adding weight to warnings already issued by Valve and other industry players about the deepening memory crisis.

The South Korean company's forecast extends the timeline for relief in a market already hammered by shortages and inflated costs. PC builders and console manufacturers have faced mounting expenses for years as memory production fails to keep pace with demand from AI infrastructure, data centers, and consumer electronics.

Samsung's statement carries particular weight given accusations that the company engaged in price fixing alongside other memory manufacturers. The allegations suggest major players actively exacerbated supply constraints rather than simply responding to market conditions. Those legal pressures don't appear to have shifted Samsung's outlook on component availability.

The 2027-2028 timeline aligns with previous warnings from Valve, which noted the RAM shortage could worsen. For PC gaming specifically, this means continued high prices for DDR5 modules and NVMe SSDs. Gamers building rigs or upgrading systems should expect no relief in the near term. Console manufacturers already locked into component contracts may face renegotiation pressures if they need refreshes.

The memory crisis ripples across industries. AI companies consuming chips at record rates, cloud providers scaling infrastructure, and manufacturers competing for limited production slots all bid up prices. Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron control most DRAM production, giving their supply forecasts real influence over component costs globally.

For PC gaming specifically, the implications are bleak. High RAM prices suppress PC gaming adoption in budget segments. Enthusiasts building high-end systems pay premiums that shrink disposable income for games themselves. The ongoing crisis directly impacts hardware accessibility and shapes platform economics heading into 2027 and beyond.