NVIDIA is reportedly facing challenges in acquiring enough memory for its operations, which has led to a halt in supplying VRAM chips to its board partners. This development is significant in the gaming and tech industry as it could affect the production and availability of NVIDIA GPUs.
NVIDIA’s Shift in VRAM Supply Strategy
NVIDIA traditionally supplies GPU dies and VRAM chips to its board partners. However, recent reports indicate that the company is now advising these partners to procure their own VRAM chips. This shift could be relatively manageable for larger manufacturers with established supply chains, but smaller vendors might struggle without the necessary connections. This change arises amidst a global shortage in memory supply, affecting both system DRAM and video memory like GDDR6 and GDDR7, essential for latest GPUs.
Impact on the GPU Market
The shortage of memory is not limited to NVIDIA alone; it also affects the AMD Radeon RX 9000 and NVIDIA RTX 50 series GPUs. While NVIDIA’s board partners are left to source their own memory, there is no information on whether AMD is following a similar course. The situation is compounded by rising memory prices, making market conditions even more challenging.
Future Outlook
Despite Samsung’s commencement of mass production for 24 GB GDDR7 28 Gbps memory modules, widespread adoption isn’t expected soon. These modules are anticipated to be used in the RTX 50 Super series, rumored to be delayed until Q3 2026 due to ongoing memory shortages. The situation remains fluid, and while official confirmation is pending, industry insiders express concerns about future memory availability.
