Memory makers mint megabucks while buyers beg for mercy

The big memory manufacturers continue to print money at the expense of long-suffering buyers, with industry DRAM revenue approaching five times its level a year ago.

Demand for datacenter capacity and AI accelerators drove the 369 percent year-over-year surge in Q3 2026, Counterpoint Research reports.

"Bit shipments rose only about 4 percent this quarter, yet DRAM revenue reached nearly $200 billion, close to 5x a year ago," says Counterpoint senior analyst Jeongku Choi.

"AI has turned memory from a commodity into a valuable scarce resource, and buyers are now competing for supply rather than negotiating on price. With prices still rising, suppliers are on track to set new earnings records again next quarter."

As Reg readers will be well aware by now, the AI infrastructure boom has sent demand for server memory soaring. Manufacturers have prioritized more lucrative products for that market, squeezing supplies for PCs, smartphones, and other devices.

The consequences have been a sharp increase in memory costs, …