Samsung, SK Hynix gain leverage as Nvidia server costs jump 15%

Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have gained stronger negotiating power in the AI supply chain as rising memory costs push up prices for Nvidia-based server systems by over 15 percent for shipments starting in early 2027. Server manufacturers notified major data center customers, including Microsoft, Google, and Oracle, of price adjustments affecting systems built on Nvidia's Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell platforms. Memory components, particularly high-bandwidth memory and conventional server DRAM, are the primary cost drivers amid tight supply. SK hynix held 58 percent of global HBM revenue in the first quarter, while Samsung led the broader DRAM market with a 39 percent share. Server DRAM contract prices are projected to rise another 13 to 18 percent in the third quarter.