Impending Price Increases in Gaming PCs Due to Memory Hikes
As we approach the holiday season, two leading boutique PC manufacturers, Maingear and CyberPowerPC, have raised alarms over significant price increases for gaming PCs driven largely by rising memory costs. This warning highlights a crucial point for consumers: now may be the best time to buy, particularly ahead of Black Friday.
The Memory Market Crisis
Recent interviews with industry leaders shed light on the critical situation in the memory market. Maingear’s CEO, Wallace Santos, pointed out that system RAM is becoming increasingly costly. He advised consumers interested in purchasing new PCs or upgrading components like GPUs and SSDs to consider acting promptly, as RAM prices are expected to continue climbing.
Santos explained, “We’ve already seen DRAM prices skyrocket due to shortages and are holding off those price changes for our customers as long as we can. For consumers that are interested in getting a new PC or upgrading their current system’s GPU, SSD or RAM, they should consider shopping now and looking for offerings that have not seen price increases yet.”
CyberPowerPC’s Outlook
Following Maingear’s lead, CyberPowerPC confirmed that it will raise prices for its gaming PCs starting December 7 due to soaring RAM and SSD prices. In recent communications on social media, they reported that RAM prices have surged by 500%, while SSD prices have doubled. This alarming trend has significantly impacted the cost structure of their gaming PCs, particularly since early October.
Understanding the Price Dynamics
It’s worth noting that the dramatic hikes in RAM prices, while alarming, do not necessarily translate into sixfold price increases for consumers. Reports suggest that RAM kits have, on average, doubled or even tripled in price, which, while a nightmare for consumers, pales in comparison to the initial forecasts.
CyberPowerPC clarified on social media that despite the price increases being termed as “temporary,” these hikes will still be impactful. They expect an average increase of $80 for PCs with 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSDs, and $160 for systems with 32GB of RAM and 2TB SSDs. This suggests a looming price adjustment that consumers will inevitably feel.
Black Friday: A Crucial Buying Window
For consumers pondering when to make their next PC purchase, Black Friday presents a crucial opportunity. Deals during this period could be some of the last chances to take advantage of pre-hike pricing. Santos emphasized that current PCs available for sale are secured from earlier component purchases and are likely less affected by the ongoing price changes.
Anticipating the future, Santos warned that component shortages may worsen, affecting lead times and inventory as stock becomes increasingly constrained. Even while CyberPowerPC hints at potential adjustments in response to market conditions, broader sentiments suggest that 2026 could witness substantial memory pricing challenges, potentially leading to a full-blown RAM drought.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Consumers
In summary, the warnings from Maingear and CyberPowerPC reiterate the importance of timely decision-making for PC buyers. Considering the unpredictable nature of the memory market, consumers may want to take advantage of Black Friday discounts if they’re looking to upgrade or buy new gaming rigs. With the current environment, it’s safe to say that the prices of gaming PCs are likely to rise significantly, making now a potentially advantageous time to purchase.
For more detailed insights and updates, you can explore the full article here.
(Image credit: Zoomik / Shutterstock)
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
