DRAM Shortages Weigh on 2026 PC Motherboard Outlook

The report says AI data center expansion has tightened silicon availability and contributed to stronger DRAM and CPU demand, pushing DDR4 and DDR5 memory kit prices higher. That pressure is now filtering into the consumer PC DIY channel, where motherboard vendors are reportedly lowering expectations for 2026 unit sales. ASUS is cited at about 10 million motherboards for 2026, while MSI and GIGABYTE are expected below 10 million units each, and ASRock is described as facing a steeper decline. For RamTrend, the article matters less as a motherboard story and more as a downstream signal: elevated memory costs can discourage platform upgrades and reduce attach demand even when memory prices themselves remain firm.