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Sam Altman calls personal PC memory allocation 'quite terrible' amid supply constraints

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman argued that personal computers holding DRAM is an inefficient use of limited global memory supplies compared to cloud data centers.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman seated in a booth with drinks on the table during an interview.
Image: @Polygon

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that having dedicated RAM inside personal computers is an inefficient use of the global supply, arguing it is 'quite terrible' for individual machines to hold memory that sits largely idle. In an interview published via YouTuber Cheeky Pint and covered by outlets including Tom's Hardware and IGN, Altman argued that limited DRAM should instead be prioritized for cloud data centers to achieve higher utilization.[1][4]

According to Altman, personal computer DRAM is 'being used maybe 5% of the time' from a global allocation perspective. He maintained that cloud infrastructure offers maximum utilization during a period when memory supplies are constrained, noting that many people's intuition on the issue is the opposite.[1]

The remarks prompted backlash from tech observers and industry outlets including Polygon. Commentator Tom Warren criticized the stance, arguing that tech industry leaders are pushing for consumers to rent computing power rather than own powerful personal hardware.[2][5]

Key facts

  • OpenAI CEO Sam Altman described allocating limited global DRAM supplies to individual PCs as 'quite terrible.'
  • Altman stated that DRAM installed in a personal computer sits utilized 'maybe 5% of the time.'
  • Altman argued that memory is better directed to cloud data centers to achieve maximum utilization amid supply constraints.
  • The remarks originated from an interview published via YouTuber Cheeky Pint.
  • Tech commentator Tom Warren characterized Altman's remarks as tech leaders wanting users to rent rather than own powerful computers.

Sources · 5 sources

  1. IG

    IGN@IGNPost on X ·

    OpenAI CEO Sam Altman thinks it's "terrible" for people to have RAM in their computers rather than in a data center, as the scarcity of memory caused by the AI boom continues to drive up costs. https://t.co/4sTsi9VPyD https://t.co/ERts5ybbi9

    Open source
  2. PO

    Polygon@PolygonPost on X ·

    OpenAI Billionaire: PCs Are 'Terrible' When Data Centers Need More Memory https://t.co/ILFDqzEElz https://t.co/LtsOkefOvD

    Open source
  3. UW

    unusual_whales@unusual_whalesPost on X ·

    BREAKING: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says having RAM in personal computers is an inefficient use of the world’s limited DRAM supply, arguing it would be better allocated to data centers, per Tom’s Hardware

    Open source
  4. TH

    Tom's Hardware@tomshardwarePost on X ·

    OpenAI CEO says it's 'quite terrible' for your PC to have RAM — Sam Altman says data centers offer better utilization https://t.co/0K5SvsHSmW

    Open source
  5. TW

    Tom Warren@tomwarrenPost on X ·

    Sam Altman says it’s better for RAM to be in a data center than in your PC. These people don’t want you to own powerful computers anymore, they want you to rent them https://t.co/gugbMrOpaR

    Open source