July 29, 2026 · Tom's Hardware
SSD prices up 220% as AI storage demand strains supply
Tom's Hardware reports SSD prices have risen roughly 220% over the past year as AI data center demand for storage components strains supply, hitting the DIY PC-building market hard.
Why it matters: This extends the SK Hynix earnings story down to the retail level: AI data center demand for memory and storage is now visibly squeezing consumer hardware prices, not just enterprise procurement. It's a concrete sign that the AI buildout's supply-chain effects reach well beyond data centers themselves.