The Peak Daily Memory hole 🧠: RAM Crunch, PE Slump and Canada's Space Race
Mar 17, 2026
A global RAM crunch driven by AI data centers is pushing up prices for gaming PCs and other consumer electronics. Canadian pension funds are rethinking private equity after poor returns. Inflation cools to 1.8% while Bell plans a major Saskatchewan AI data centre. Ottawa backs a $200M domestic satellite launch pad in Nova Scotia.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
AI Data Centers Are Eating Global RAM Supply
- Global RAM shortages are driven by AI data centers consuming a growing share of production.
- Data centers will use about 70% of the world's RAM this year, squeezing supply for gaming PCs and laptops and raising consumer prices.
Toronto PC Builder Raised Prices Due To RAM Shortage
- Quoted Tech Computers raised PC prices after supply problems hit their RAM inventory.
- Kevin Judd, co-founder of Toronto-based Quoted Tech Computers, said the shortage forced them to increase prices for custom gaming rigs.
Unprecedented Data Center Spending Will Strain Hardware
- Major tech firms plan unprecedented data center capex that will intensify hardware demand.
- Alphabet alone is expected to spend about $185 billion on data center construction this year, amplifying pressure on chip supply chains.