SSD price increases expected due to AI server
Even those who do not want to use AI tools will feel the effects. SSD prices have risen and continue to rise.
(Image: c't)
Manufacturers of NAND flash memory and complete SSDs are benefiting considerably from the hype surrounding artificial intelligence. Server manufacturers such as Supermicro, Gigabyte and Dell are ordering more enterprise SSDs for their AI systems, while desktop PCs and notebooks continue to weaken.
This is reported by market observer Trendforce. According to Trendforce, sales of NAND flash from well-known memory manufacturers have risen by a good 70 percent within a year: In the first quarter of 2023, it was still at 8.63 billion US dollars, then at 14.71 billion at the beginning of 2024.
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At that time, companies were struggling with low demand in all product areas, which resulted in losses in the billions. The upswing is primarily due to significantly higher prices and slower production. However, at least for NAND flash, which is primarily intended for servers, the so-called bit output seems to have increased again.
Samsung and SK Hynix remain the two largest manufacturers by far, with market shares of 36.7% and 22.2% respectively. Together they cover more than half the market.
(Image:Â Trendforce)
Price increases in the summer
Trendforce expects the price increases to total 15 percent in the second quarter, i.e. by the end of June. Because Samsung, SK Hynix, Kioxia, Micron and Western Digital are switching part of their production to enterprise components, prices for consumer SSDs are also likely to rise.
Dell's Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jeff Clarke recently announced price increases of up to 20 percent in the second half of 2024 – due to rising memory prices, among other things.
So far, SSD prices in Germany have remained stable. There have been no significant upward spikes in recent months.
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