The global memory supply shortage continues to ripple through the tech industry, and its consequences are becoming increasingly visible. Two major PC brands—Framework, known for its modular, repair-friendly laptops, and Cyberpower, one of the largest custom PC builders in North America—have announced significant changes to their pricing and product availability. These developments underline the severity of the DRAM and NAND shortage that began intensifying throughout 2024 and is now accelerating into 2026.
Framework Delists Standalone Memory to Prevent Scalping and Preserve Inventory
Framework has removed standalone RAM modules from its online marketplace, a move designed to prevent scalpers from hoarding inventory during a period of extreme component scarcity. The company confirmed the decision on X, explaining:
“The memory market is in a bad spot. We haven’t changed our memory pricing, but we did have to delist standalone memory… to head off scalpers and preserve inventory for people buying it with our DIY Edition laptops.”
This strategy mirrors similar actions taken in past hardware shortages. During the 2020–2021 GPU crisis, companies like EVGA and Nvidia implemented queue systems and purchase limits to combat scalping. Memory modules are now facing a similar demand spike.
Framework further added that supplier pricing has already increased substantially. If these trends continue, the company expects to raise its own memory pricing in the near future. Industry analysts note that DRAM spot prices surged by more than 300% year-over-year, while contract prices have risen steadily for six consecutive quarters.
Cyberpower Warns of System-Wide Price Increases as RAM Prices Skyrocket 500%
Cyberpower announced that it will adjust pricing across all its prebuilt systems starting December 7th, 2025. In a post detailing the crisis, the company stated:
“Global memory (RAM) prices have surged by 500%, and SSD prices have risen by 100%… This has had a direct impact on the cost of building gaming PCs since 10/1/25.”
For perspective, this 500% increase is unprecedented in recent PC-building history. Even during the 2017 DRAM shortage—fueled by smartphone demand and limited production expansion—prices never climbed above 200%. The current crisis has eclipsed those levels due to two key drivers:
Major Factors Behind the Memory Shortage
- Explosive AI sector growth
Large-scale AI training relies heavily on HBM (High-Bandwidth Memory), GDDR modules, and advanced SSD arrays. AI server shipments grew over 250% year-over-year, consuming vast quantities of memory. - Panic buying and stockpiling
Manufacturers, data centers, and even consumers have begun hoarding memory, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of shortages.
As a result, consumer PC builders like Cyberpower are left vulnerable to supply shocks and rapidly increasing component costs.
Major OEMs Attempt to Weather the Storm — HP and Lenovo Respond
While boutique PC builders face immediate consequences, major OEMs with long-term contracts have more flexibility. HP disclosed during its recent earnings call that it can delay price increases for roughly six months, thanks to locked-in supply agreements. However, the company warned that price hikes are “inevitable” once these contracts expire.
Lenovo appears even better positioned. The company reportedly stockpiled enough DRAM to last through the entirety of 2026, granting it a temporary but significant competitive advantage. If shortages continue, Lenovo may become one of the few OEMs able to maintain stable pricing.
What Comes Next? A Fragmented, Uneven Market
All indicators point toward a prolonged period of instability. The memory supply chain is strained at multiple points—from wafer production to packaging—and new manufacturing capacity often takes 12–24 months to come online. This suggests the crisis won’t resolve quickly.
In the meantime, consumers should expect:
- Highly uneven pricing across brands
- Volatility in RAM and SSD availability
- Significant differences between boutique builders and large OEMs
With Framework delisting standalone memory, Cyberpower raising prices, HP holding the line temporarily, and Lenovo stockpiling aggressively, the coming year is likely to see some of the most unpredictable hardware pricing the PC market has faced in over a decade.