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Gaming is becoming a luxury these days.
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The massive demand for AI data centers is now directly hitting the gaming world. Valve has confirmed that a RAM shortage is causing manufacturing delays and making it hard to keep the Steam Deck OLED in stock. RAM prices have nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
The reason is simple: AI data centers require enormous amounts of RAM to operate, which is eating into the supply available for gaming hardware. According to the Gaming Bible, this leaves less stock for consoles and PCs, pushing prices significantly higher for manufacturers and consumers alike.
The impact is visible right on the Steam Store, where a note confirms that the “Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages.” Making things worse, the budget Steam Deck LCD 256GB model has been discontinued. Once current stock sells out, it will no longer be available, raising the entry cost for anyone looking to get into handheld PC gaming.
The RAM shortage is also putting Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine launch at risk
Beyond current Steam Deck models, the shortage is creating problems for Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine console. Valve is still targeting a launch in the first half of the year, but has had to hold off on confirming exact pricing and release dates. They stated that the “limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing.”
This means the Steam Machine could launch later than expected or at a higher price than originally planned. Current forecasts suggest RAM prices will keep rising throughout 2026 as the push to build AI data centers continues to grow. If you want to understand why the Steam Deck OLED keeps selling out, the situation is not expected to improve anytime soon.
On a more positive note, Valve did share some details about the Steam Machine’s performance. Testing shows that most Steam titles run well at 4K 60fps with FSR enabled. The console will also feature user-accessible and upgradeable SSD and memory storage. Valve is additionally working on HDMI VRR support and improvements to ray tracing performance.
Despite the current difficulties, Valve remains committed to the handheld and living room gaming market. The Steam Deck has seen strong success since its 2022 launch, and competition in the handheld space is growing, with devices like the ROG Xbox Ally entering the market. For budget-conscious buyers, it is also worth reading about how Valve discontinued its most affordable Steam Deck and what the new starting price means for new buyers.
Rumors suggest a Steam Deck 2 is not expected until 2028, meaning Valve is clearly focused on the longer term. For now, anyone looking to buy a Steam Deck may find that secondhand options are the most practical route given the ongoing stock shortages.
Published: Feb 18, 2026 01:00 pm