PC Gaming Faces Challenges in 2026

As we approach 2026, the landscape of PC gaming faces significant challenges, particularly concerning component prices. Graphics cards, while slightly more affordable than last year, have not led to a substantial decrease in overall gaming PC costs. The rising prices of other components mean that assembling an economical gaming rig remains difficult.

Rising Component Costs

The availability of graphics cards, such as the Radeon RX 9070 XT and GeForce RTX 5090, typically stabilizes prices over time. However, this trend may not ease due to increasing costs for memory and storage solutions.

Memory Price Surge

• Significant price increases for RAM have been reported, with a 32GB DDR5 kit from G.Skill now costing approximately $360, a fourfold increase from the price of $90 in late 2025.
• This spike is attributed to the growing demand from AI data centers, which prioritize memory-intensive tasks.
• Analysts predict that this shortage could persist until at least 2028, indicating a structural shift in memory consumption due to AI.

Other Component Increases

Solid State Drives (SSDs) are also experiencing a price hike. The 1TB Silicon Power UD90 has escalated from $60 to around $144 in recent months. Such trends indicate that increasing demand is hitting vital components critical for gaming systems.

Impact on Prebuilt Gaming PCs

Although prebuilt gaming PCs were once seen as affordable, price increases are on the horizon. Currently, a configuration like the Cyperpower PC, equipped with an RTX 5070 and Ryzen 7800X3D, retails for about $1,679. This price reflects a modest savings compared to self-assembly. However, the situation is expected to change as manufacturers face rising costs for memory.

Both analysts and manufacturers suggest that prebuilt systems will soon reflect these increases, making them less accessible to newcomers. Prices for established gaming components may also rise, including the more mainstream RTX 5070, though stable prices are still seen in these lower-end graphics cards.

Future Uncertainty

The forthcoming Steam Machine, anticipated for early 2026, may also experience increased pricing due to memory costs. Initial expectations of a price around $800 now seem optimistic. Reports suggest early listings indicate prices could be closer to $950.

As the gaming landscape evolves, the competition for memory among various sectors, including smartphones and laptops, further complicates the situation. The RAM market remains volatile, and unless production ramps up significantly, consumers might have to adjust to higher prices for the foreseeable future.

In conclusion, the challenges facing PC gaming in 2026 arise primarily from surging component costs. Both enthusiasts and newcomers must navigate these hurdles to build or buy their desired gaming setups.