AI server capacitor shortage to peak in early 2027 as Samsung Electro-Mechanics signs $656 million supply deal
TrendForce expects high-end MLCC shortages to be worst in the first half of 2027 as AI demand spreads to server CPUs, DDR5 and networking; the 879.3 billion won contract is with an unnamed customer.
Why it matters
Multilayer ceramic capacitors stabilise power to processors, and AI servers need high-capacitance versions, so the squeeze is another sign that AI demand is now straining components far beyond GPUs. TrendForce expects global server CPU shipments to grow more than 40% next year, with Nvidia's Vera Rubin ramping from the fourth quarter and AMD buying specialised parts for MI450. Samsung Electro-Mechanics' disclosed long-term contracts this year total about 5.18 trillion won. Watch Murata's capacity expansion and whether shortages delay server shipments.
Key facts
- TrendForce: high-end MLCC shortage worst in first half of 2027
- Contract: 879.3 billion won ($656 million), one year from Dec. 21
- Server CPU shipments forecast to grow more than 40% next year
- Eight disclosed long-term contracts this year total about 5.18 trillion won