Nvidia AI Server Demand Pushes DRAM Prices Higher

Demand tied to Nvidia's AI servers is accelerating gains in the semiconductor memory market, with DRAM prices rising faster across multiple product categories. According to ChainCatcher, general-purpose DRAM used in personal computers and other devices rose 5% month over month, while products for industrial equipment posted double-digit increases. Memory makers are prioritizing supply for AI server-specific memory, and the ripple effects are spreading further. DRAM is used in PCs, cameras, smartphones, and data center AI servers to temporarily store data. Monthly or quarterly negotiations between memory makers and buyers such as device makers and module makers determine bulk transaction prices. The July bulk price for 16Gb DDR5, a general-purpose model used in PCs, game consoles, and servers, was set at about $40.2, up 5% from the previous month. It marked the seventh consecutive monthly increase, and an electronics trading company executive said the price has reached a record high.