The memory crisis is getting so bad that even retro RAM prices are going to the Moon

theregister.com Jun 23, 2026

The memory crisis is getting so bad that even retro RAM prices are going to the Moon

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 23, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The global memory crisis has led to a surge in demand for legacy products, including DDR2 and DDR3 components, as buyers seek to secure larger supply allocations. TrendForce reports that DRAM buyers are turning to older products, driving up prices for these components. As a result, some hardware makers are redesigning products to use older memory types, such as replacing DDR4 with DDR3 or DDR2. The market intelligence operation estimates that DDR2 contract prices will rise by 55-60% in the second quarter of 2026, followed by a further 35-40% increase in the third quarter, affecting the memory market and legacy DRAM products, with key suppliers including Winbond and ESMT.

💡 Why It Matters

· Desperate buyers are settling for outdated technology to secure reliable supplies, highlighting the severity of the memory shortage.
· Legacy DRAM products are now feeling the ripple effects, with suppliers like ESMT maximizing production to capitalize on the demand.

Capsules Semiconductors

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Strategic Materials Conference 2026 to Spotlight Materials Innovations Fueling the AI Era

The Strategic Materials Conference (SMC) 2026 will take place from July 13-15, 2026, at Hayes Mansion in San Jose, California. Industry leaders will gather to discuss materials innovations driving the AI era, including scalable AI systems, advanced packaging, and quantum computing. Keynote speakers include experts from top companies such as Intel, Lam Research, and NVIDIA. The conference will explore the intersection of materials and semiconductor growth, with a focus on industrializing next-generation manufacturing technologies. Registration is open, and the full agenda is available online.

💡 The conference highlights the critical role of materials innovations in fueling the growth of the trillion-dollar semiconductor industry. By addressing supply chain constraints and advancing next-generation manufacturing technologies, the industry can ensure long-term resilience and growth, ultimately driving innovation in AI, computing, and emerging technologies.

semiconductor-digest.com · Jun 23

Claros Announces Strategic Manufacturing Collaboration with Samsung Foundry

Claros, a company specializing in integrated voltage regulators (IVRs), has partnered with Samsung Foundry to launch high-volume production of its IVRs. The collaboration aims to address the critical challenge of processor-level power delivery in AI infrastructure. Claros's IVRs are designed to reduce energy loss by up to 30 percent by regulating power millimeters from the processor. Samsung Foundry brings its advanced-node wafer manufacturing capabilities to the partnership, which is expected to extend beyond data centers into industrial and automotive applications.

💡 The success of Claros's IVR technology could redefine the data center industry's approach to energy delivery, potentially reducing operating costs and stress on utility grids. By addressing the challenge of processor-level power delivery, Claros and Samsung Foundry may unlock new opportunities for energy-efficient AI infrastructure.

semiconductor-digest.com · Jun 23

Baya Systems Announces Partnership with Openchip on Next-Gen Intelligent Compute

Baya Systems, a pioneer in software-driven semiconductor fabric IP, has partnered with Openchip, a European leader in semiconductor and AI systems technologies. The partnership will enable Openchip to develop next-generation intelligent compute systems optimized for AI workloads. Baya's WeaveIP unified fabric and WeaverPro FabricStudio platform will be used to design and optimize complex RISC-V-based multi-chiplet systems, reducing development risk and time-to-market. This partnership marks a significant expansion for Baya Systems in Europe and a shared commitment to the open RISC-V ecosystem.

💡 The partnership highlights the growing importance of data movement in AI and high-performance computing, where raw compute is no longer the primary bottleneck. By addressing data movement explicitly, Openchip can deliver scalable, next-generation computing platforms that meet the market's demands for performance and efficiency.

semiconductor-digest.com · Jun 23

U.S. Semiconductor Firms Innovate to Meet AI-Driven Demand

U.S. semiconductor companies are investing in AI-focused chip development and advanced packaging technologies to meet growing demand driven by AI and high-performance computing. A new report by Information Services Group finds that semiconductors are becoming strategic assets for enterprises and governments, with companies navigating geopolitical changes and supply chain realignment. The report highlights the importance of managing design complexity, packaging innovation, and supply chain resilience. U.S. semiconductor firms are adopting advanced packaging technologies and chiplet-based architectures to improve performance and energy efficiency. The trend is intensifying innovation and competition throughout the semiconductor ecosystem, with companies prioritizing risk mitigation and long-term supply security.

💡 The ability to combine AI-driven design innovation with resilient engineering and manufacturing will define competitive advantage in semiconductors. By orchestrating an entire ecosystem, companies can simultaneously manage design complexity, packaging innovation, and supply chain resilience.

semiconductor-digest.com · Jun 23

Valens Semiconductor Appoints Karine Pinto-Flomenboim as Chief Financial Officer

Valens Semiconductor has appointed Karine Pinto-Flomenboim as Chief Financial Officer, effective August 9, 2026, succeeding Guy Nathanzon. Pinto-Flomenboim brings over 25 years of financial leadership experience, including roles at Arbe Robotics, TIBA Parking Systems, and Intel. Her expertise spans capital markets, global operations, and value creation. Valens CEO Yoram Salinger expressed enthusiasm for her appointment, citing her alignment with the company's strategic focus. Pinto-Flomenboim will play a key role in driving growth, supporting capital allocation, and promoting sustainable growth for shareholders, with Yael Rozenberg serving as Interim CFO during the transition.

💡 Karine Pinto-Flomenboim's extensive experience in the semiconductor industry will help Valens navigate complex financial landscapes. Her proven track record of guiding organizations through scale and transformation will be crucial in driving Valens' future growth.

thenewstack.io · Jun 22

“An agent is an LLM and a harness”: What Nvidia really thinks…

Nvidia's Director of Deep Learning Software, Bryan Catanzaro, has shed light on the company's stance regarding OpenClaw, a new open-source project that aims to create a more efficient and scalable deep learning framework. Catanzaro described OpenClaw as "an agent is an LLM and a harness," suggesting a symbiotic relationship between the framework and large language models (LLMs). This statement implies that OpenClaw is designed to work seamlessly with LLMs, potentially unlocking new levels of performance and efficiency in deep learning applications.

💡 Nvidia's endorsement of OpenClaw highlights the growing importance of open-source collaboration in the deep learning space. By embracing OpenClaw, Nvidia is signaling its commitment to advancing the field through community-driven innovation, rather than relying on proprietary solutions. This shift could have significant implications for the development of future AI applications, as open-source frameworks like OpenClaw become increasingly influential in shaping the direction of the industry.