Crucial is shutting down –because Micron wants to sell its RAM and SSDs to AI companies instead | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Crucial is shutting down –because Micron wants to sell its RAM and SSDs to AI companies insteadComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechCrucial is shutting down –because Micron wants to sell its RAM and SSDs to AI companies insteadThe longstanding provider of consumer RAM and SSDs is winding down as prices spike, and Micron shifts its focus to AI.The longstanding provider of consumer RAM and SSDs is winding down as prices spike, and Micron shifts its focus to AI.by Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothDec 3, 2025, 7:01 PM UTCLinkShareImage: MicronEmma RothCloseEmma RothPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.Micron is retiring the Crucial brand, marking the end of its line of budget-friendly solid-state drives (SSDs) and RAM kits, as reported earlier by VideoCardz. In an announcement on Wednesday, Micron says winding down its consumer-focused business will “improve supply and support for our larger, strategic customers in faster-growing segments” — a.k.a. AI companies.The brand’s shutdown is a huge blow for PC builders and hobbyists, who are already dealing with skyrocketing RAM prices linked to a surge in demand from AI companies. OpenAI, for example, struck a deal with SK Hynix and Samsung to make up to 900,000 DRAM per month for its Stargate project.Now, there’s going to be one less brand selling consumer-focused memory for PCs, potentially intensifying the global memory shortage. Soaring demand for RAM is already impacting pricing at CyberPowerPC, Framework, and Raspberry Pi, while HP has even hinted at raising the prices of its devices or equipping them with less memory.Micron will keep shipping Crucial products until the end of February 2026 and provide “continued warranty service and support.”Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Emma RothCloseEmma RothNews WriterPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Emma RothGamingCloseGamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GamingNewsCloseNewsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All NewsPC GamingClosePC GamingPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PC GamingTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularOpenAI declares ‘code red’ as Google catches up in AI raceSteam Machine today, Steam Phones tomorrowSilicon Valley is rallying behind a guy who sucksHBO Max’s Mad Men 4K release is the opposite of a remasterMKBHD is taking down his wallpaper appThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Crucial, a widely recognized brand of computer memory and storage solutions, is ceasing its independent operations, marking a strategic shift by Micron Technology to prioritize supplying rapidly growing segments, primarily artificial intelligence (AI) companies. This decision, announced by Micron, reflects a significant restructuring within the company’s consumer-focused business, aligning resources toward higher-value markets experiencing substantial demand increases. The move represents the end of the consumer-facing Crucial brand, a line of budget-friendly RAM kits and solid-state drives (SSDs) that had become a staple for PC builders and hobbyists. Micron plans to continue shipping existing Crucial products until the end of February 2026, alongside maintaining warranty services and support for customers. This transition is particularly relevant within the context of escalating global memory shortages, directly linked to elevated demand from AI companies. Specifically, OpenAI’s agreement with SK Hynix and Samsung to supply up to 900,000 DRAM chips per month for its Stargate project highlights the immense scale of this demand surge. The repercussions of this shift are already being felt across the PC component landscape, with companies like CyberPowerPC, Framework, and Raspberry Pi reporting increased prices, while HP has indicated potential price increases or reduced memory specifications for its devices. Micron’s prioritization of AI-related supply reflects a broader industry trend, driven by the computational needs of advanced AI models. The implications of this change extend beyond immediate price impacts; it essentially reduces competition within the consumer memory market. The company’s continued support for existing customers underscores a commitment to manage the transition effectively, although the long-term availability and pricing of Crucial products will eventually diminish as Micron’s resources are redirected. The industry’s response, as evidenced by the pricing pressures and potential component shortages, indicates a vulnerability within the global supply chain, susceptible to the fluctuating demands of dominant technological advancements.