RAM crisis hits another victim with the Steam Deck, as Valve confirms supply instability
Valve confirms fluctuating availability in the U.S. and ends production of the LCD 256GB model.
The RAM shortage has taken a new victim, and this time it is not a brand-new device, it’s the Steam Deck. If you’ve been trying to get your hands on Valve’s device lately, you might have noticed some frustrating “Sold Out” signs. The company has officially confirmed that its popular handheld is facing significant stock issues in the United States, and unfortunately, this isn’t just a temporary hiccup. The company warned that availability will continue to fluctuate due to a massive spike in the cost of memory and storage components.
While the Steam Deck OLED is currently the focus of these intermittent shortages, the news is even more definitive for those looking for the budget-friendly option. Valve stated that “Steam Deck LCD 256GB is no longer in production, and once sold out will no longer be available.” Once the current stock evaporates, this specific model will be gone for good, marking the end of an era for the original hardware configuration.
A perfect storm in the tech world
The root of the problem isn’t a typical supply chain delay. Instead, the explosive growth of AI data centers is to blame. These massive facilities are buying up memory in unprecedented quantities, causing DRAM prices to skyrocket by as much as 172% over the past year. This creates a direct hit for gamers, as the same components needed for high-end servers are essential for gaming consoles and PCs.
Related stories
The ripples of this crisis are being felt far beyond Valve. The company has already been forced to delay pricing and release details for its upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame devices. Even industry giants like Sony are reportedly feeling the pressure, with rumors suggesting the PlayStation 6 could be pushed back as far as 2028 or 2029 to avoid launch day price hikes or extreme scarcity. For now, if you see a Steam Deck in stock, you might want to grab it sooner rather than later.
Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!