SK hynix says its DRAM and HBM output is effectively sold out to 2029, and Samsung expects the memory shortage to deepen in 2027. Expect the server memory price to keep rising into 2027 and DDR5 RDIMM waits to grow, hardest for buyers without a supply contract. If a 2027 server refresh is approved, lock in memory quantities and quotes now.
What SK hynix reported on 28 October 2026
SK hynix published its third quarter 2026 results on 28 October 2026. Revenue was 104.6 trillion won and operating profit was 83.3 trillion won, both company records. According to the release, DRAM results came mainly from a sharp rise in server DDR5 sales.
On supply, the release says SK hynix has signed long-term agreements (LTAs) with 14 major customers. The volume secured under those LTAs is more than 50% of its total production capacity for 2027 and 2028. The contracts typically run five years, and SK hynix is adding a pricing mechanism that moves with market conditions inside a price range agreed with each customer.
The release itself does not say "sold out". The Korea Herald reported on 28 October 2026 that SK hynix described its DRAM and HBM output as effectively sold out through 2029, counting both signed LTAs and demand still under discussion with customers. The same report quotes Kim Ki-tae, head of HBM sales and marketing, saying customers want more than twice the volume SK hynix can supply. SK hynix's release says it expects demand to exceed supply through 2030.
TrendForce News, citing Yonhap Infomax on 28 October 2026, reported that SK hynix's DRAM average selling price rose by a high 20s percentage in the third quarter compared with the second. TrendForce, citing Chosun Biz, put the growth in server DDR5 sales above 40% over the same period.
What Samsung added on 29 October 2026
Samsung reported its third quarter 2026 results on 29 October 2026: revenue of 195.3 trillion won and operating profit of 107.4 trillion won. Its memory business had record quarterly revenue and operating profit. In the release, Samsung says strong server demand pushed market prices up across all applications.
For the fourth quarter, Samsung plans to sell more HBM, server DRAM and SSDs and to ship more high speed server DDR5. For 2027, Samsung expects AI driven demand to far exceed industry supply, by a wider margin than in 2026, and says it wants multi-year contracts with customers.
What it means for DDR5 RDIMM prices and lead times
Neither company published module prices. What follows is our reading of their statements and of TrendForce's forecasts.
Contract buyers are partly protected. TrendForce wrote on 9 July 2026 (via I-Connect007) that several US cloud providers hold multi-year deals that cap supplier price increases. It expected server DRAM price increases to come mainly from customers without LTAs. It also forecast server DRAM contract prices rising every quarter into 2027, at a slower pace, with a shortage already expected for 2027.
For the fourth quarter of 2026, TrendForce forecast conventional DRAM contract prices rising 10% to 15% over the third quarter, according to TechNews on 30 September 2026. The same report said server DRAM stays undersupplied and that some suppliers' prices lag the market because of LTA price bands.
Resellers, integrators and enterprises that buy a few hundred DIMMs a year sit outside those LTAs. They buy through distributors and server OEMs, who pass the higher cost on. In our view that means quotes that expire sooner and longer waits for factory configured servers, with popular capacities such as 64GB the first to be allocated.
What server buyers and resellers should do
- Quote memory separately and date it. A DDR5 quote from September may not hold in December. Ask distributors for the validity period in writing.
- Buy the 2027 memory you already know you need. For an approved refresh, ordering the DIMMs, or servers with memory fitted, before the start of 2027 removes one moving part. TrendForce's July report says buyers with enough supply for the second half of 2026 still have reason to build inventory ahead of 2027.
- Keep the part numbers flexible. Our part pages list SK hynix, Samsung and Micron modules as equivalents to the HPE, Dell and Lenovo numbers, so you can approve more than one source per capacity.
- Check the speed you need. DDR5-4800 modules fit 4th Gen Xeon Scalable and AMD EPYC 9004 servers. DDR5-5600 modules downclock to 4800 in those systems and run at full speed on newer CPUs. A 5600 module can therefore replace a 4800 one. A 4800 module in a newer server works, but it holds the whole channel at 4800.
- Look at used and pull-out DDR5-4800 stock. Test every module, check the SPD data and do not mix ranks on a channel.
- Size for capacity per socket, not DIMM count. When 64GB modules are short, check whether the same capacity per socket works with fewer, larger DIMMs, or whether one DIMM per channel is enough for the workload.
Part numbers to watch
These DDR5 RDIMMs fit HPE ProLiant Gen11, Dell PowerEdge 16th generation and Lenovo ThinkSystem V3 servers. Each page lists the compatible servers and equivalents from other brands.
| Part number | Module | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| P64707-B21 | HPE 64GB 2Rx4 DDR5-5600 | HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen11 and other Gen11 |
| P43331-B21 | HPE 64GB 2Rx4 DDR5-4800 | HPE ProLiant Gen11 |
| P64706-B21 | HPE 32GB 1Rx4 DDR5-5600 | HPE ProLiant Gen11 |
| 370-BBEO | Dell 64GB 2Rx4 DDR5-5600 | Dell PowerEdge R760, R660 and others |
| 370-AHCW | Dell 64GB 2Rx4 DDR5-4800 | Dell PowerEdge 16th generation |
| HMCG94AGBRA181N | SK hynix 64GB 2Rx4 DDR5-5600 | Lenovo ThinkSystem SR650 V3 and other V3 |
| M321R8GA0BB0-CQK | Samsung 64GB 2Rx4 DDR5-4800 | Intel 4th Gen Xeon and AMD EPYC 9004 servers |
We do not have dated price sightings for these parts yet, so this post gives no prices for them. If you need a current quote, or have DDR5 RDIMMs to sell, use our buy and sell page.
FAQ
Is SK hynix really sold out until 2029?
The Korea Herald reported on 28 October 2026 that SK hynix called its DRAM and HBM output effectively sold out through 2029. That figure counts signed long-term agreements plus demand still under negotiation. The signed agreements alone cover more than 50% of its 2027 and 2028 capacity, according to SK hynix's own release.
Will server memory prices go up in 2027?
Both makers point that way. Samsung's 29 October 2026 release says AI demand in 2027 will far exceed supply, and SK hynix expects demand above supply through 2030. TrendForce forecast in July 2026 that server DRAM contract prices would keep rising each quarter into 2027, at a slower pace.
How much did DRAM prices rise in the third quarter of 2026?
TrendForce News, citing Yonhap Infomax, reported on 28 October 2026 that SK hynix's DRAM average selling price rose by a high 20s percentage over the second quarter. For the fourth quarter, TrendForce forecast conventional DRAM contract prices up 10% to 15%.
Should I buy DDR5 RDIMMs now or wait?
If the servers are approved for 2027, buying the memory now removes price and lead time risk, since neither maker expects supply to loosen next year. If the project is not approved, get dated quotes and confirm validity periods instead of building stock you may not use.
Can I use SK hynix or Samsung DIMMs in HPE or Dell servers?
Our part pages list SK hynix and Samsung modules as equivalents to HPE and Dell part numbers of the same capacity, speed and rank. OEM support terms and HPE SmartMemory features may still require the OEM part number. Check the equivalents and compatible models on each part page before you buy.
