RAM shortage: Difference between revisions
Clean-up; pass on style; added more examples; added lawsuit; added some page categories; left notes for refs #8 (Sony's 2025 Q3 statement) and #34 (Justia page); misc. |
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*A significant increase in the theft of RAM sticks due to the high prices and their small size making them a lucrative easy target.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Luke |title=Thieves are starting to steal RAM now that it's as expensive as gold — a memory kit disappears in the snail mail at four in the morning with a bogus signature |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ddr5/package-theft-leaves-pc-builder-without-ddr5 |website=Tom's Hardware |date=29 Nov 2025 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251129165950/https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ddr5/package-theft-leaves-pc-builder-without-ddr5 |archive-date=29 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuhair |first=Muhammad |title=RAM Shortages Have Gone So Crazy That Thieves Are Now Actually Pulling Modules Out of PCs, Given It’s More Worthwhile Than Taking the Whole Unit |url=https://wccftech.com/ram-shortages-have-gone-so-crazy-that-thieves-are-now-actually-pulling-modules-out-of-pc/ |website=wccftech |date=14 Jan 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114160613/https://wccftech.com/ram-shortages-have-gone-so-crazy-that-thieves-are-now-actually-pulling-modules-out-of-pc/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frankel |first=Todd C. |title=How cargo thieves are stealing millions of dollars in tech hardware |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/09/cargo-theft-ai-chips-data-centers/ |url-access=subscription |website=The Washington Post |date=9 Mar 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309140313/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/09/cargo-theft-ai-chips-data-centers/ |archive-date=9 Mar 2026 |quote=Thieves today are targeting the pricey computer parts driving the AI and tech booms, snatching high-speed RAM modules, advanced computer chips and server racks as they flow toward the data centers and related industries popping up across the country. The thieves are also using increasingly sophisticated means to pull off their heists.}}</ref> [[Costco]] went so far as to remove RAM from display PCs due to repeated instances of theft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |title=The RAM crisis has gotten so bad, Costco is removing memory from display PCs to halt theft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/ram-crisis-gotten-so-bad-costco-removing-memory-from-display-pcs/ |website=XDA |date=29 Jan 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130222035/https://www.xda-developers.com/ram-crisis-gotten-so-bad-costco-removing-memory-from-display-pcs/ |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref> | *A significant increase in the theft of RAM sticks due to the high prices and their small size making them a lucrative easy target.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Luke |title=Thieves are starting to steal RAM now that it's as expensive as gold — a memory kit disappears in the snail mail at four in the morning with a bogus signature |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ddr5/package-theft-leaves-pc-builder-without-ddr5 |website=Tom's Hardware |date=29 Nov 2025 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251129165950/https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ddr5/package-theft-leaves-pc-builder-without-ddr5 |archive-date=29 Nov 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuhair |first=Muhammad |title=RAM Shortages Have Gone So Crazy That Thieves Are Now Actually Pulling Modules Out of PCs, Given It’s More Worthwhile Than Taking the Whole Unit |url=https://wccftech.com/ram-shortages-have-gone-so-crazy-that-thieves-are-now-actually-pulling-modules-out-of-pc/ |website=wccftech |date=14 Jan 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260114160613/https://wccftech.com/ram-shortages-have-gone-so-crazy-that-thieves-are-now-actually-pulling-modules-out-of-pc/ |archive-date=14 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Frankel |first=Todd C. |title=How cargo thieves are stealing millions of dollars in tech hardware |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/09/cargo-theft-ai-chips-data-centers/ |url-access=subscription |website=The Washington Post |date=9 Mar 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309140313/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/03/09/cargo-theft-ai-chips-data-centers/ |archive-date=9 Mar 2026 |quote=Thieves today are targeting the pricey computer parts driving the AI and tech booms, snatching high-speed RAM modules, advanced computer chips and server racks as they flow toward the data centers and related industries popping up across the country. The thieves are also using increasingly sophisticated means to pull off their heists.}}</ref> [[Costco]] went so far as to remove RAM from display PCs due to repeated instances of theft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batt |first=Simon |title=The RAM crisis has gotten so bad, Costco is removing memory from display PCs to halt theft |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/ram-crisis-gotten-so-bad-costco-removing-memory-from-display-pcs/ |website=XDA |date=29 Jan 2026 |access-date=20 May 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260130222035/https://www.xda-developers.com/ram-crisis-gotten-so-bad-costco-removing-memory-from-display-pcs/ |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref> | ||
*[[Microsoft]] announcing, on 25 June 2026, a significant price increase for its [[Xbox]] {{Wplink|Xbox Series X and Series S|Series X and Series S}} console for a third time that will take effect on 1 August 2026. The prior two increases occurred in May and October 2025. Microsoft stated that ''""console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027"''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tweedie |first=Steven |title=Microsoft is raising Xbox prices yet again due to the memory shortage — this time by $100-$150 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-xbox-price-increase-series-x-2026-6 |website=Business Insider |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/PVCQh |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref> In an earlier blog post from 10 June 2026, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and Xbox Executive Vice President Matt Booty had bluntly wrote that ''"We are in a hardware component crisis."''<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Asha |last2=Booty | | *[[Microsoft]] announcing, on 25 June 2026, a significant price increase for its [[Xbox]] {{Wplink|Xbox Series X and Series S|Series X and Series S}} console for a third time that will take effect on 1 August 2026. The prior two increases occurred in May and October 2025. Microsoft stated that ''""console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5x and we expect another doubling by the fall of 2027"''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tweedie |first=Steven |title=Microsoft is raising Xbox prices yet again due to the memory shortage — this time by $100-$150 |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-xbox-price-increase-series-x-2026-6 |website=Business Insider |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/PVCQh |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref> In an earlier blog post from 10 June 2026, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and Xbox Executive Vice President Matt Booty had bluntly wrote that ''"We are in a hardware component crisis."''<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Asha |last2=Booty |first2=Matt |title=Next 100 Days: XBOX Reset |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/10/next-100-days-xbox-reset/#:~:text=We%20are%20in%20a%20hardware%20component%20crisis%2E |website=[[Xbox]] |date=10 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260610212542/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/06/10/next-100-days-xbox-reset/ |archive-date=10 Jun 2026}}</ref> | ||
*Valve's highly-anticipated 2026 Steam Machine PC-console hybrid having been intended to debut at $750 USD,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |title=Steam Machine Originally Believed To Have Cost $750 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/steam-machine-original-price/ |website=TheGamer |date=23 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260630043526/https://www.thegamer.com/steam-machine-original-price/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref> but the company was forced to drastically increase | *Valve's highly-anticipated 2026 Steam Machine PC-console hybrid having been intended to debut at $750 USD,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coulson |first=Josh |title=Steam Machine Originally Believed To Have Cost $750 |url=https://www.thegamer.com/steam-machine-original-price/ |website=TheGamer |date=23 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260630043526/https://www.thegamer.com/steam-machine-original-price/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref> but the company was forced to drastically increase the price — to over $1000 USD for the base version — owing to the RAM shortage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |title=Valve Says The Companies Making RAM Give Them A Price And If They Say No, They ‘Never Talk To Us Again’ |url=https://kotaku.com/valve-says-the-companies-making-ram-give-them-a-price-and-if-they-say-no-they-never-talk-to-us-again-2000709575 |website=Kotaku |date=23 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260623212534/https://kotaku.com/valve-says-the-companies-making-ram-give-them-a-price-and-if-they-say-no-they-never-talk-to-us-again-2000709575 |archive-date=23 Jun 2026}}</ref> | ||
==Lawsuit== | ==Lawsuit== | ||
A class action lawsuit was filed in California Northern District Court on 25 June 2026, accusing [[Samsung]], [[SK Hynix]] and [[Micron]] of engaging in price-fixing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Lauren |title=Major Chipmakers Sued For Price-Fixing Amid 'RAMpocalypse' |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/2493985/major-chipmakers-sued-for-price-fixing-amid-rampocalypse- |url-access=subscription |website=Law360 |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260627090538/https://www.law360.com/articles/2493985/major-chipmakers-sued-for-price-fixing-amid-rampocalypse- |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mujtaba |first=Hassan |title=Memory Trio Samsung, SK Hynix & Micron Face Class Action Lawsuit As Prices Reach Historical High Due To Shortages |url=https://wccftech.com/memory-trio-samsung-sk-hynix-micron-face-class-action-lawsuit/ |website=wccftech |date=29 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629113835/https://wccftech.com/memory-trio-samsung-sk-hynix-micron-face-class-action-lawsuit/ |archive-date=29 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Lewis |title=Class Action Lawsuit Accuses The Three Largest RAM Manufacturers Of Colluding To Drive Up Prices |url=https://kotaku.com/class-action-lawsuit-accuses-the-three-largest-ram-manufacturers-of-colluding-to-drive-up-prices-2000711373 |website=Kotaku |date=29 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0630-1355-24/https://kotaku.com:443/class-action-lawsuit-accuses-the-three-largest-ram-manufacturers-of-colluding-to-drive-up-prices-2000711373 |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Horetski |first=Dylan |title=New lawsuit claims RAM makers manipulated supply as AI demand exploded |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-lawsuit-claims-ram-makers-manipulated-supply-as-ai-demand-exploded-3380638/ |website=Dexerto |date=29 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260630045937/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-lawsuit-claims-ram-makers-manipulated-supply-as-ai-demand-exploded-3380638/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref> The lawsuit is filed as ''Garciaguirre et al v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al'' 3:26-cv-06345<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Garciaguirre et al v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/65375103/Garciaguirre_et_al_v_Samsung_Electronics_Co,_Ltd_et_al |url-access=subscription |website=PacerMonitor |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629073840/https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/65375103/Garciaguirre_et_al_v_Samsung_Electronics_Co,_Ltd_et_al |archive-date=29 Jun 2026}}</ref> (alternatively 5: | A class action lawsuit was filed in California Northern District Court on 25 June 2026, accusing [[Samsung]], [[SK Hynix]] and [[Micron]] of engaging in price-fixing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Lauren |title=Major Chipmakers Sued For Price-Fixing Amid 'RAMpocalypse' |url=https://www.law360.com/articles/2493985/major-chipmakers-sued-for-price-fixing-amid-rampocalypse- |url-access=subscription |website=Law360 |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260627090538/https://www.law360.com/articles/2493985/major-chipmakers-sued-for-price-fixing-amid-rampocalypse- |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mujtaba |first=Hassan |title=Memory Trio Samsung, SK Hynix & Micron Face Class Action Lawsuit As Prices Reach Historical High Due To Shortages |url=https://wccftech.com/memory-trio-samsung-sk-hynix-micron-face-class-action-lawsuit/ |website=wccftech |date=29 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629113835/https://wccftech.com/memory-trio-samsung-sk-hynix-micron-face-class-action-lawsuit/ |archive-date=29 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Lewis |title=Class Action Lawsuit Accuses The Three Largest RAM Manufacturers Of Colluding To Drive Up Prices |url=https://kotaku.com/class-action-lawsuit-accuses-the-three-largest-ram-manufacturers-of-colluding-to-drive-up-prices-2000711373 |website=Kotaku |date=29 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0630-1355-24/https://kotaku.com:443/class-action-lawsuit-accuses-the-three-largest-ram-manufacturers-of-colluding-to-drive-up-prices-2000711373 |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Horetski |first=Dylan |title=New lawsuit claims RAM makers manipulated supply as AI demand exploded |url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-lawsuit-claims-ram-makers-manipulated-supply-as-ai-demand-exploded-3380638/ |website=Dexerto |date=29 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260630045937/https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/new-lawsuit-claims-ram-makers-manipulated-supply-as-ai-demand-exploded-3380638/ |archive-date=30 Jun 2026}}</ref> The lawsuit is filed as ''Garciaguirre et al v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al'' 3:26-cv-06345<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Garciaguirre et al v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al |url=https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/65375103/Garciaguirre_et_al_v_Samsung_Electronics_Co,_Ltd_et_al |url-access=subscription |website=PacerMonitor |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=29 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260629073840/https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/65375103/Garciaguirre_et_al_v_Samsung_Electronics_Co,_Ltd_et_al |archive-date=29 Jun 2026}}</ref> (alternatively 5:26-cv-06345-NW<ref>''"[[:File:Garciaguirre et al v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al.pdf|Garciaguirre et al v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al]]"'' (PDF). ''Consumer Rights Wiki''. 25 Jun 2026. [https://web.archive.org/web/20260701045029/https://consumerrights.wiki/images/6/65/Garciaguirre_et_al_v._Samsung_Electronics_Co.%2C_Ltd._et_al.pdf Archived] from the original on 1 Jul 2026. Retrieved 30 Jun 2026. <!-- Had to ditch the cite web template in order to wiki link the file. -Sojourna --></ref>). | ||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||