ASUS could be looking to make its own DRAM amid ongoing memory shortage

If you haven’t been following tech news closely, there’s an ongoing memory shortage rippling through the PC industry. A big part of the problem is that major memory makers have been prioritising higher-margin server and AI workloads, leaving consumer PC supply tighter and more expensive than before. With prices creeping up and little relief in sight, PC makers are being forced to rethink how they secure critical components – and one new rumour suggests ASUS could be considering a rather drastic move: entering the consumer memory manufacturing (DRAM) business itself.

According to a report from Persian tech outlet Sakhtafzarmag, ASUS is said to be exploring plans to set up dedicated DRAM production lines as early as 2026, should current pricing pressures and supply constraints fail to ease. The same outlet has previously shared accurate leaks related to AMD and Intel processors, but as with all such reports, treat this one cautiously and with a pinch of salt.

If the rumour holds though, ASUS will reportedly aim to have these production lines ready by the end of Q2 2026. That timeline lines up with broader industry expectations that memory shortages could persist well into 2027 or even 2028. For ASUS, which ships large volumes of laptops and desktops under its ASUS brand, ROG and TUF sub-brands, securing a stable memory supply could become a matter of cost control rather than expansion.

Unlike traditional memory players such as Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix, ASUS’s motivation appears more defensive. The company does not currently manufacture DRAM at scale, and building a production facility from scratch would be a significant undertaking.

Still, if ASUS succeeds in meeting its own demand, any excess capacity could eventually be offered to other PC makers facing similar pressures – and possibly opening up a new business model. Whether this move materialises remains to be seen, but it highlights how strained memory supply chains are forcing even established PC brands to rethink long-standing industry roles.

Source: Sakhtafzarmag (via wccftech)