Lenovo says the 'RAMageddon' is the new normal, outlines survival guide

At the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC), Lenovo stated that the ongoing 'RAMageddon' has become the new normal, outlining a '5-step survival guide.' This reflects a long-term structural s... Read original →

The memory market is undergoing a structural reset: AI server demand for HBM and DDR5 has shattered the traditional DRAM cyclical model. Technically, 16-channel memory configurations per socket are inflating BOM costs, pushing OEMs to reassess the TCO inflection point between LPDDR5 and HBM—ironically, HBM’s supply concentration (SK hynix, Micron) now offers better economics. Compliance-wise, attempts by firms like Lenovo to source from restricted suppliers such as CXMT risk U.S. secondary sanctions, fragmenting the supply chain further. Strategically, NVIDIA leverages AI accelerators to lock in HBM ecosystems, gaining indirect control over memory specs; meanwhile, Micron exploits CHIPS Act subsidies to ramp HBM3E in Arizona, pressuring Korean rivals. Over the next 18 months, even with new capacity, AI cluster deployments will absorb over 90% of incremental output—permanently elevating the price floor.