RAM Shortage Forces Valve to Rethink Steam Deck Strategy

Rising DRAM costs disrupt Steam Deck supply chains and reshape handheld pricing structures globally.

Hardware by Shinji Okazaki on Mar 01, 2026

Prices in the electronics industry are rising because there isn't enough RAM. Steam Deck is one of the newest items to be affected. Valve ran out of OLED Steam Deck devices before, but not just due to demand. They also ran out of the RAM needed to make them.

The manufacturer had to say the device was out of stock because there weren't enough in stock. There was talk of possible price hikes, and the results have been mixed.

RAM Shortage, Forces Valve to Rethink Steam Deck Strategy, NoobFeed

Prices for the Steam Deck over the years

Four years ago, the Steam Deck came out. The lowest price was $400, and the highest price was $650. There were no OLED models when it first came out. There were three LCD variants in the lineup, with prices mostly determined by storage capacity and screen finish.

Later, Valve released the OLED Steam Deck, which was the most expensive option. The lower-tier versions of the prior models were changed, and the lowest-tier version was taken away. There was still a $400 option, but it was a new version of the original entry-level model.

Prices are rising in some areas because there isn't enough RAM. Komodo, the official distributor in some Asian areas, said that the Steam Deck will cost about $100 more. On March 6, the change will take effect. Because of this, waiting to buy could mean spending more.

Discontinued LCD Model and Change in Entry Price

Valve has also ceased offering the Steam Deck with an LCD screen. There are two probable explanations. The first is that the $400 price may no longer be reasonable, given rising part costs. The second is that Valve might have run out of LCD panels and decided not to get any.

So, the least costly Steam Deck costs $550 right now, and the most expensive one costs $650, depending on how many are available. The entrance point has moved up significantly.

AI Data Centers and Demand for DRAM

AI data centers are buying large quantities of DRAM wafers, tightening supply across the board. Reports say that OpenAI has been buying about 900,000 DRAM wafers per month. Prices rise when supply is low and demand remains strong. In some areas, the price of RAM has doubled, depending on the type and its availability.

Anything that needs RAM is affected. Prices have already risen in several hardware categories. Valve is having trouble getting enough memory for the Steam Deck, which is making it hard to keep in stock.

Availability and Pressure from the Market

Steam Deck is not available in many places right now, including the US. Some sources said refills would happen, but availability isn't consistent. There is still concern that prices may rise even when supply returns.

Other hardware companies are also having trouble. Reports say that Nvidia has moved production to outdated graphics cards with less RAM. The price of the Lenovo Legion Go2 has increased from $1,350 to $1,850. Microsoft and Sony have also said that prices are going up. There are also discussions about how Nintendo might change the prices of its upcoming products.

This problem isn't only with Valve. You are seeing a larger change in hardware prices, directly related to a shortage of memory.

Different Prices in Different Areas

Prices change depending on where you are. The OLED512GB model is up 17% in Japan, and the OLED1TB model is up 15%. The OLED model is rising by less than 1% in Taiwan, whereas the OLED1TB version is rising by 2.3%. These variances indicate that businesses can adjust prices in different ways depending on market conditions and their supply chain.

We know that being flexible across different parts of the country enables companies to make strategic decisions. However, you may still have to pay more when supplies are short.

RAM Shortage, Forces Valve to Rethink Steam Deck Strategy, NoobFeed

What it means for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame

The lack of RAM also affects the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. Valve changed the launch date from early 2026 to the first half of 2026. That's a delay. Memory limits the amount of production that may be done on several product lines.

If Valve planned to sell the Steam Machine for $650, raising the price to $750 would impact how it fits into the market. People think the Steam Machine will work as well as the consoles that are out now. As time goes on and prices rise, it becomes harder to justify buying something solely because of its hardware.

We could like a small design, low noise, and the ability to fit inside an entertainment center. You might only care about how well it works and how much it costs. These disparities affect what people buy, especially when prices are going up.

Final Thoughts

As hardware prices rise across all categories, people are wondering whether to buy devices like the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, Steam Deck, and Steam Controller. When AI-driven memory demand drives up prices, it alters how we evaluate things.

We know that supply problems are affecting the market. You have to decide whether the current prices are fair given performance and long-term value, as RAM remains a major issue in the industry.

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