The ongoing DRAM supply shortage is about to impact graphics cards, with GDDR procurement costs already rising. Currently, graphics cards primarily use GDDR6 and GDDR7 DRAM solutions, and both Nvidia and AMD have confirmed increased GDDR procurement costs, with price hikes already on the agenda. AMD has internally announced a second price increase, though the specific implementation date has not yet been officially announced.
According to Wccftech, the DRAM supply shortage will have a greater impact on gamers than on ordinary users, as their computers generally require more RAM, and dedicated graphics cards also need video memory. The latest news is that Nvidia and AMD plan to reduce or even halt supply to some mid-to-low-end graphics cards, as the significant price increase of GDDR modules will have a greater impact. While it's not clear which models will be affected, 50/60-level products are highly likely to be hit.
In the past few weeks, memory chip prices have experienced a dramatic increase, leaving the supply chain with no time to adjust, leading many companies to engage in "panic buying." This is mainly because most DRAM production capacity is allocated to global data centers, and memory chip manufacturers prefer to invest in niche markets with higher returns on investment. Gaming graphics cards have already been relegated to a lower position in the market, with lower-profit mid-range and low-end cards being relegated even further down the list.
On the other hand, gamers who purchase mid-range and low-end graphics cards are already price-sensitive consumers; if the price increase is too significant, they may choose not to buy. If DRAM prices continue to soar, we may see graphics card prices rise within the next few weeks.
