60% of PC gamers have no plans to build a new PC in the next two years — AI pricing crunch on RAM and other components paralyze enthusiast market

Sixty percent of PC gamers surveyed by Tom’s Hardware in May 2024 plan to wait at least two years before building a new PC, citing high component prices driven by AI data center demand. This trend highlights a significant slowdown in the PC building market amid ongoing supply shortages and inflation.

The survey, conducted among more than 1,500 readers, found that only 15% plan to build a PC within the next two years. Of these, just 10% intend to do so within the next three months, and 15% within six months. The majority, 60%, said they would delay for two years or more.

Market conditions are heavily influenced by a global shortage of critical components such as DRAM, SSDs, and graphics cards, which have seen prices surge. For example, 32GB of RAM now costs approximately $360, and SSD prices remain elevated. Graphics card shortages persist, partly driven by the demand for AI data centers, which is constraining supply and inflating prices.

Why It Matters

This trend indicates a potential slowdown in the PC enthusiast and gaming markets, as high component costs and shortages discourage upgrades and new builds. It could impact hardware sales, retail strategies, and the timing of future PC releases or promotions.

Background

The current market is heavily affected by the AI infrastructure boom, which has increased demand for DRAM, SSDs, and GPUs. Prices have soared over the past year, making PC upgrades less affordable for many consumers. Historically, PC builders tend to upgrade during sales events like Black Friday, but even discounts are unlikely to offset the inflated prices caused by the AI component crunch.

“The majority of PC gamers are choosing to delay upgrades due to the ongoing component shortages and inflation, which have made building a new PC significantly more expensive.”

— Tom’s Hardware survey analyst

“The AI demand-driven supply constraints are likely to persist into 2025, continuing to pressure prices and supply availability for consumer PC components.”

— Industry analyst

What Remains Unclear

It is still unclear how long component shortages and high prices will persist beyond 2024, or whether new supply chains will ease the market. The exact impact on future hardware sales remains uncertain, as consumer sentiment could shift with market adjustments or new product releases.

What’s Next

Industry analysts expect component prices and shortages to be closely monitored in the coming months. Retailers and manufacturers may adjust strategies, and consumer behavior could shift if supply improves or prices stabilize. Further surveys will clarify whether this trend continues or reverses.

Key Questions

Will the high component prices eventually decrease?

It is uncertain; prices are currently driven by AI infrastructure demand and supply chain disruptions, which may improve with increased production or market adjustments.

Could new product releases influence the building plans of gamers?

Potentially, if new hardware offers significant performance improvements or price reductions, some gamers may reconsider delaying builds.

Is this trend specific to gaming PCs or broader across all PC segments?

While this survey focuses on gamers, the supply constraints and high prices are affecting the broader PC market, including professional and enthusiast segments.