Micron DRAM Cost Surges from $35 to $300 Amid AI-Driven Supply Crunch

According to Mono Technologies founder Tomaž Zaman, the company's 8GB Micron DRAM procurement cost for its flagship router development kit has surged from $35 to $300, marking an eightfold increase as AI infrastructure expansion strains global DRAM supplies. The Slovenian hardware startup faces a dilemma with 1,300 customer deposits pending: raising the product price from $600 to $900–1,000 or cutting memory capacity by 75%. Consumer-grade DRAM contract prices have skyrocketed over 260% compared to last year, as major chipmakers redirect over 40% of advanced DRAM capacity toward HBM and data center products.

Tech giants are absorbing the cost surge through pricing power. Apple CEO Tim Cook described the shortage as a "once-in-a-century flood" and raised Mac and iPad prices; Microsoft increased Xbox Series S by $100, citing memory and storage costs nearly tripling. For smaller manufacturers lacking long-term supply agreements or pricing flexibility, the memory crisis creates an existential squeeze. Memory makers like Micron are capturing exceptional margins, with gross profit jumping from 39% to 85% and DRAM average selling prices up over 260% annually.