Component Costs
Ongoing coverage on Component Costs.
Latest coverage
Intel reportedly hiking CPU prices again, pushing gaming PC costs even higher
Intel is reportedly planning to increase its CPU prices by another 10% in October, following previous hikes and general increases from both Intel and AMD throughout the year. This move, driven partly by AI data center demand, is expected to further drive up the cost of building gaming PCs, which are already experiencing high component prices.
Great, now motherboard prices might be next to spike thanks to component costs increasing by up to 50%
Motherboard prices are expected to increase due to rising component costs, with some raw material prices for PCBs jumping by up to 50%. This surge is attributed to supply chain disruptions stemming from the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the Iran war, impacting key materials like PPE resin. While recent price hikes from major manufacturers have been small, further increases are anticipated in the coming months.
UK: Nintendo Switch 2 will cost £419.99 from 1st September
The Nintendo Store in the UK has revealed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will increase in price to £419.99 starting September 1st due to rising component costs. This represents a £24 increase from its previous retail price of £395.99.
Analyst: iPhone 18 Pro May Open at $1,399 as Memory Costs Bite
Analyst Jeff Pu forecasts that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro will launch at a starting price of $1,399, a significant increase from the current iPhone 17 Pro's $1,099. This price hike is attributed to rising memory costs, exacerbated by an AI-driven shortage, which is also impacting gaming hardware like the Xbox Series X and Steam Machine. Samsung's recent Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra also saw a $100 price increase due to similar component cost pressures.
Xbox’s next round of price increases have landed, and they’re worse than we thought
Xbox has implemented price increases for its Series S and Series X consoles, effective August 1st, with steeper hikes in Australia than initially anticipated. These increases are attributed to a significant rise in console storage and memory component costs, driven partly by the AI boom redirecting fabrication efforts. Despite the price hikes, Microsoft continues to incur losses on each console sold.
Fresh evidence from independent researchers confirms the first drop in PC shipments in over a year... and it's only…
Global PC shipments have declined by 4% year-on-year in the second quarter, marking the first drop since early 2025, according to new research. Surging DRAM prices and increased component costs are forcing OEMs to raise prices and reduce production, impacting consumer demand despite ongoing AI PC adoption and Windows migration cycles. While Apple and Asus saw growth, it was not enough to offset declines from major manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell.
Xbox prepares to jack up its console prices by a hefty amount (again, again)
Microsoft announced that it will be increasing the prices of its Xbox consoles starting August 1st. The 512 GB models will increase by $100, and the 1 TB models by $150, with the 2 TB edition being discontinued. The company cited rising component and memory prices as the primary reason for the price hike.
Xbox prices are rising again after Microsoft helped drive up component costs
Xbox prices are reportedly increasing due to Microsoft's influence on component costs. The article humorously seeks the individual responsible for this trend.
The RAM crisis comes for Apple: Mac and iPad prices jacked up by hundreds as company says 'We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly'
Apple has significantly increased the prices of its Mac and iPad lines due to a rapid and substantial rise in component costs. The company stated that it has never experienced such a swift and large increase in component prices before. While iPhones are currently unaffected, CEO Tim Cook indicated that price hikes for all products might become unavoidable if the situation persists.
Gaming laptops are more expensive than ever, and it's not Amazon solving the problem this Prime Day
Gaming laptop prices are higher than ever in 2026 due to component shortages and increased demand, particularly from AI manufacturers. While Amazon offers limited discounts, retailers like Newegg and Best Buy are providing more significant deals on gaming laptops, including models with RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 graphics cards.
I've run the numbers, and if the Steam Machine does arrive this summer, this is how much it should cost
This article analyzes the potential cost of Valve's upcoming Steam Machine, estimating a starting price of around $775 for the 512GB model and $975 for the 2TB model based on current PC component prices. The analysis considers wholesale versus retail pricing and compares it to the recent price increases of the Steam Deck OLED, suggesting a final retail price for the Steam Machine could exceed $1,000.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame will release this summer, but dates and prices are still unknown
Valve has announced that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will be released this summer, though specific dates and pricing remain unconfirmed. The company is expanding its Verified program to these devices, similar to the Steam Deck, to indicate game compatibility. Component cost increases have impacted previous release plans and led to a price hike for the Steam Deck OLED.
Steam Deck OLED Price Increase Announced Due to “Rising Memory and Storage Costs”
Valve has announced a significant price increase for the Steam Deck OLED, citing rising memory and storage costs. The 512 GB model now costs $789, up from $549, and the 1 TB model is now $949, up from $649. This price hike follows reports of worldwide RAM shortages that have also affected the upcoming Steam Machine.
Valve's Steam Deck price jumps by nearly 50%, now costs $949 for a 1TB model
Valve has significantly increased the price of its Steam Deck handheld gaming PC, with the 1TB model now costing $949, a nearly 50% jump. The company attributes the price hike to rising component costs and global logistical challenges. This price increase raises concerns about the upcoming Steam Machine, expected in 2026.
Nintendo explains why it raised the price of Switch 2, and says the issues responsible "could have an impact not only this year but next year as well"
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that the price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 was necessary due to the sustained rise in memory and component costs, which are expected to impact profitability. While acknowledging this raises the barrier to entry, Nintendo aims to continue offering engaging experiences worth the price. The company also announced a remake of Star Fox 64 for the Switch 2.
Nintendo president: Switch 2 price increases due to war on Iran and AI-driven memory crisis
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa explained that the price increase for the Nintendo Switch 2 is due to sustained rises in component costs, driven by AI data centers and oil prices linked to the war on Iran. These factors necessitate maintaining a healthy earnings structure for the company's hardware business. Furukawa also highlighted the importance of strong software releases, like Pokémon Pokopia, in driving hardware sales and encouraging player transitions.
The RTX 5090 is already out of reach for us mere PC gaming mortals, but board prices could make it a mythical beast
The upcoming Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card is expected to be prohibitively expensive for PC gamers due to rising component costs, particularly for GDDR7 memory. Board prices are projected to increase significantly, potentially making the card a 'mythical beast' for consumers. This trend, exacerbated by AI data center demand, is driving up prices across the PC hardware market, leading to recommendations for more budget-friendly options like the GeForce RTX 5070.
AMD CEO says gaming segment will be impacted by higher memory & component costs in 2nd half of 2026
AMD CEO Lisa Su stated that the company anticipates challenges in its gaming segment during the second half of 2026 due to persistent high demand and low supply of memory and other components. These supply chain issues are expected to impact the company in the third and fourth quarters of that year.
Evening Tech Bits
AMD anticipates a 20% decrease in gaming revenue for the latter half of the year due to increased memory and component costs. This outlook is contrasted with the significant market impact of the ongoing AI boom.
Intel (INTC) CFO expects PC demand to weaken this year
Intel's Chief Financial Officer anticipates a decline in PC demand throughout the current year. The company expects to be affected by increasing component costs.