Valve says RAM manufacturers operate like a cartel — they set a price take-it-or-leave-it, and if Valve refuses, they stop supplying to the company entirely, leaving Valve with no negotiating leverage. This is why the Steam Machine costs $1,049 despite Valve's stated preference to keep hardware affordable; they're locked into whatever chip costs the suppliers demand. The Verge notes this pricing dynamic appears to violate normal competitive principles, though it's technically legal if suppliers independently set prices rather than explicitly colluding.