The RAM crisis isn't alone anymore, PC users a new report suggests there is now a motherboard manufacturer crisis, and it seems it's only going to get worse

Date:
Thu, 07 May 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Description:
The AI boom and its impact aren't letting up, as the trouble it has caused
for RAM kits is now affecting motherboard manufacturers.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter The RAM crisis has reportedly resulted in a motherboard manufacturer crisis, according to Digitimes Digitimes' report suggests motherboard shipments have plummeted for four
major Taiwanese manufacturers Consumers no longer have the incentive to buy motherboards for new PC builds due to unaffordable RAM kits The AI boom and ongoing economic struggles continue to leave the PC hardware market in disarray, and a recent development suggests matters are only getting worse.

As reported by PC Gamer , a new Digitimes report indicates a 'collapse' for motherboard manufacturers and their shipment targets for 2026, due to the memory crisis. Unsurprisingly, RAM shortages and price hikes have effectively discouraged consumers from building new PCs, which has a knock-on effect of leaving motherboards on the shelves. You may like Micron warns 'AI is in very early innings' and RAM crisis isn't going away MSI exec calls 2026 the 'most challenging year' ever due to RAM crisis RAM crisis reaches new heights and our only hope is a consumer rebellion Latest Videos From

Notably, the report states that Asus is among the four major Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers that lowered shipment targets at the end of 2025, and has still experienced a collapse in shipments. It also claims that Asus has only managed to ship 5 million motherboards in the first half of 2026, despite aiming for 10 million overall. (Image credit: Future / John Loeffler) Frankly, those numbers are regarded as one of the worst for Asus, as it's
said to mark the 'lowest point in Asus's motherboard shipments since the company split in 2008', and also worse than the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A similar case applies to MSI , which was reportedly estimating 11 million motherboard shipments but has fallen to 8.4 million for 2026.

Yes, these cases don't directly impact consumers, especially given the lack
of consumer incentive to buy motherboards (which is part of the issue, but
not to blame), but in theory, low motherboard sales could lead to a drop in production for the major manufacturers. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If the RAM crisis does dissolve, there will likely be a sudden demand for motherboards where production has been severed, ultimately leading to skyrocketing prices and shortages. It's quite evident that the AI boom has done immense damage to the PC hardware market, but we can only hope that it isn't irreparable. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/motherboards/the-ram-crisis-isnt-alone-any more-pc-users-a-new-report-suggests-there-is-now-a-motherboard-manufacturer-cr isis-and-it-seems-its-only-going-to-get-worse


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