AI驱动存储新周期 | 投研报告

Industry Overview - The semiconductor industry is experiencing a new storage cycle driven by emerging technologies and AI demand, with historical cycles characterized by demand, capacity, and inventory phases [1][2] - The memory segment, being the second largest in semiconductors, shows greater volatility than the overall industry, with significant market growth expected due to AI [1] Capital Expenditure Projections - DRAM capital expenditure is projected to reach $53.7 billion in 2025, increasing to $61.3 billion in 2026, representing a year-on-year growth of approximately 14% [3] - NAND Flash capital expenditure is expected to be $21.1 billion in 2025, with a slight increase to $22.2 billion in 2026, reflecting a year-on-year growth of about 5% [3] AI Impact on Storage Demand - The introduction of reasoning chains in large language models (LLMs) is significantly increasing data storage needs, with a shift from KB to TB and even EB in storage units [2] - The cost of reasoning in large models has decreased exponentially since the release of ChatGPT-3, which is expected to drive application growth and storage demand [2] - KV Cache is identified as a key mechanism for optimizing reasoning efficiency in large models, further increasing storage requirements [2] Current Industry Focus - Memory manufacturers are shifting focus from pure capacity expansion to upgrading process technologies and developing high-value products like HBM [3] - Current cleanroom space is nearing capacity limits, with only a few manufacturers like Samsung and SK Hynix having limited expansion capabilities [3] Investment Recommendations - Continuous monitoring of memory inventory, pricing data, and the impact of AI computing power on storage chip demand is advised [4]