AMD records record revenue in the third quarter of 2026 driven by chip sales for data centers

The South Korean chip giant SK hynix reported on Wednesday that its operating profit for the third quarter increased by 632% compared to the same period last year. This significant growth is driven by explosive demand for advanced memory chips from the artificial intelligence industry.

The company stated that its operating profit for the period from July to September amounted to 83.33 trillion won ($62.8 billion USD). Meanwhile, the company's net profit for July-September grew by 215.7% compared to last year, reaching 39.77 trillion won, and sales volume reached 104.61 trillion won.

The memory chip manufacturer noted that for six consecutive quarters, starting from the second quarter of last year, the company has demonstrated record revenue and operating profit.

However, despite the high figures, earnings were below market expectations. According to data cited by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, the average analyst estimate for net profit was 59.67 trillion won.

In its statement, the chip producer explained that a favorable cycle has been established, where productivity gains driven by AI and new revenue generation in areas such as software development, customer service, and search contribute to broader AI adoption.

SK hynix is a key supplier of high-speed memory chips to the American technology giant Nvidia and serves as a pillar of South Korea's technology-based economy. The global race to build AI data centers has changed the company's position, even amid concerns about the overvaluation of this sector.

High demand is observed for key chips such as DRAM and NAND storage components, which are used not only in everyday gadgets but are also essential for processing the huge volumes of data handled by generative AI. Analysts note that the rise in DRAM prices amid a global shortage and stronger sales of high-margin High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) stimulated profits, while the AI boom also raised prices and supply volumes for traditional NAND chips.

The RAM market crisis has its roots in big technology companies (big techs) and the intense search to expand Artificial Intelligence infrastructure. However, the local market is suffering the most from the side effects, as some components may experience inflation of up to 500% in 2026.

Given this scenario, AMD launched its new range of low-cost processors for desktops in September, specifically the Ryzen 5 7500 and the Ryzen 5 5500F. Both models feature six cores, 12 threads, and a TDP of 65W, with the latter indicating the maximum heat the chip generates under normal operating conditions, which aids in choosing the appropriate cooling system.

The differences between the two processors are notable. The 5 7500 model was developed for the AM5 socket and represents a variation of the Ryzen 5 7500F (introduced in 2023), featuring an integrated GPU, although it only has two Compute Units (CUs). A drawback of this model is that it requires DDR5 RAM, which currently has a high price in the market.

The 5 5500F, designed for the AM4 socket, offers more contained performance and requires the separate purchase of a dedicated video card; however, it has the advantage of being compatible with DDR4 memory. These chips are already available for purchase abroad, with suggested prices of US$ 189 (equivalent to approximately R$ 985) for the Ryzen 5 7500 and US$ 99 (R$ 516) for the Ryzen 5 5500F.