The memory chip market is tightening further. According to Tom's Hardware on Nov 4, Team Group CEO Chen Ching-wen warned on the company's earnings call that the memory crisis could worsen to the point where "even money can't buy goods," with "no downward trend in price whatsoever" next year. On the same day, Micron detailed a new DRAM and 3D NAND roadmap, and Macronix, a Nintendo ROM chip supplier, was reported to have quit that business to make NOR and NAND flash for AI data centers. Together, the developments point to AI demand squeezing memory supply.
Team Group CEO: no room for prices to fall
Chen gave a bleak assessment of memory price trends on the earnings call. Asked when prices might fall, he replied: "How can prices fall when there's nothing left?"
"How can prices fall when there's nothing left?" — Team Group CEO Chen Ching-wen
He also said conditions will get worse next year, with "no downward trend in price whatsoever." The remarks reflect tight supply and firm prices in the memory market.
Micron unveils new DRAM and 3D NAND roadmap
Micron disclosed details of its DRAM and 3D NAND roadmap, covering 3D NAND, High-NA EUV, new materials and the comeback of custom silicon. As DRAM and 3D NAND are about to adopt all-new technologies, custom types of memory are heading toward the mainstream as AI developers face limitations with current solutions, the report said.
Micron's roadmap shows memory makers trying to meet the AI era's higher demands for memory performance and capacity through technology upgrades, though the introduction of new technologies also means the supply structure will shift.
Macronix exits Nintendo ROM, shifts to AI flash
Macronix, one of Nintendo's ROM chip manufacturers, is shutting down that business and reallocating manufacturing capacity to NOR and NAND flash chips demanded by the AI industry, according to Tom's Hardware. As storage chips for major games become more expensive, game key cards may become easier to obtain, the report said.
Macronix's pivot is the latest example of memory makers tilting capacity toward AI data centers. Strong AI demand for NOR and NAND flash is crowding out supply to traditional sectors such as consumer electronics.
Industry-wide strain persists
Taken together, the developments show AI demand squeezing memory supply on multiple fronts: module makers warn of shortages and higher prices, memory chipmakers are accelerating technology upgrades, and chip manufacturers are shifting capacity from traditional businesses such as gaming to AI data centers. The industry-wide strain in memory chips is unlikely to ease in the near term, and price trends and supply allocation next year will remain a focus for the market.