Global PC component price increases

The PC hardware market is experiencing rising costs for memory and storage components due to supply chain pressures. Reports indicate that DDR5 memory prices have increased by 10% to 15% following a global shortage of DRAM and NAND Flash components. Some suppliers have reportedly begun canceling existing orders to fulfill new ones at higher price points, forcing assemblers to repurchase stock at increased rates.

Projections for the fourth quarter of 2026 suggest continued price hikes, with 8 GB SoDIMM DDR4 memory expected to rise by an average of 13% and 1 TB NVMe SSD prices projected to increase by 11%. Analysts suggest DRAM costs may continue to climb into the first quarter of 2027.

These rising costs have contributed to a decline in market demand, with PC shipment volumes falling 21% year-over-year in the third quarter of 2026. To protect margins amidst a projected 27% global supply decline in late 2026, manufacturers are focusing on higher price points, though experts suggest new market opportunities may emerge through AI PCs and premium displays as the industry moves toward stabilization in 2027.