PC Manufacturers Urge Consumers to Buy Before Price Increases

Two prominent boutique PC manufacturers, Maingear and CyberPowerPC, are alerting consumers to anticipated price increases for new computers, driven primarily by rising memory costs. As the holiday shopping season approaches, both companies suggest that Black Friday might offer the last significant opportunity to secure bargains before these hikes take effect.

Wallace Santos, CEO of Maingear, emphasized the urgency for potential buyers to act now. He noted that RAM prices have surged significantly due to ongoing shortages, and he expects these trends to continue. Santos stated, “We’ve already seen DRAM prices skyrocket due to the shortages and are holding off those price changes for our customers as long as we can.” With consumers looking to upgrade or purchase new systems, he recommends taking advantage of current offerings that have yet to see price increases.

CyberPowerPC also confirmed that starting from December 7, 2025, the prices of its gaming PCs will rise as a direct result of the unfavorable market conditions related to memory costs. The company reported that RAM prices have increased by as much as 500%, while SSD prices have doubled. This dramatic rise in memory costs has been reflected in the pricing of new gaming PCs, which has felt the impact since early October.

Anticipated Price Increases and Market Conditions

During an interview with Wccftech, Santos indicated that the current models offered by Maingear were purchased before the recent price hikes, providing a temporary shield for customers. However, he cautioned that this situation is expected to worsen, stating, “I anticipate that prices will continue to rise and then we will eventually have to increase our lead times as stock and allocation becomes constrained.”

The price adjustments have significant implications for consumers. CyberPowerPC outlined that the projected price increases could range from approximately $80 for a system with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, to $160 for a gaming rig equipped with 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. These anticipated increases suggest that now is an opportune moment to make purchases, particularly during the Black Friday sales, where discounts may still be available.

Long-Term Implications of Memory Shortages

The warnings from these manufacturers come at a time when analysts suggest that the memory shortages could persist into 2027. The implications of this trend are far-reaching, affecting not only desktop systems but also laptops and other devices that rely on similar components. As noted by CyberPowerPC, the steep increases in memory pricing highlight the urgency for consumers to consider their purchases carefully.

While CyberPowerPC has mentioned that its price increases are “temporary,” this does not imply a swift resolution to the underlying issues. The consensus among industry experts indicates that memory pricing could remain high throughout 2026, potentially leading to a full-blown crisis in availability and pricing.

As consumers weigh their options, it appears that Black Friday may indeed be the best time to buy. With discounts likely available and the looming price hikes, those looking to upgrade their systems or purchase new components are encouraged to act swiftly. Whether it’s RAM, SSDs, or graphics cards, the current market environment suggests that this holiday season could be pivotal for tech enthusiasts.