Motherboards could be the next PC component to experience a significant price hike.

      Following the surge in RAM and storage prices, motherboards may be the next component in PCs to see substantial price increases, according to a recent supply chain report.

      Constructing a PC from scratch has already become significantly more costly due to the rising prices of RAM and storage, influenced by the growing demand for AI data centers. A new report indicates that motherboard prices could soon escalate, with suggested increases of at least 50 percent for boards from manufacturers like Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte.

      Your next PC upgrade could become much more expensive

      A report from the Taiwanese supply chain forum Board Channels (via VideoCardz) predicts that the cost of printed circuit boards (PCBs) for motherboards could rise by at least 50 percent by the end of 2026. It also highlights anticipated price increases for other essential motherboard components, such as surface-mounted capacitors, copper heatsinks, controller chips, and VRMs, all of which are expected to drive up manufacturing costs.

      To counterbalance those rising expenses, Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte are reportedly gearing up for a new round of price hikes as early as the third quarter of 2026. This timing is far from ideal, as memory prices have been climbing for several months due to manufacturers pivoting production towards high-bandwidth memory for AI servers. These changes in supply are anticipated to keep RAM and SSD prices high for the remainder of the year. If motherboard prices increase as reported, building a PC could become even more expensive than it currently is.

      Lower demand does not equate to lower prices

      The proposed price increase comes at a time when demand for prebuilt and DIY desktops continues to decline. Reports indicate that Asus is struggling to meet its 2026 motherboard shipment goal, which has already been reduced, while MSI and Gigabyte are anticipating double-digit declines in shipments.

      This downturn in demand may deepen, as the economics of assembling a gaming PC have ceased to make sense for many enthusiasts. None of the three manufacturers have confirmed an impending price increase, and the reported 50 percent figure could still change before any adjustments take place. However, if the report turns out to be accurate, a new motherboard could soon cost hundreds more, making an already expensive PC build even more difficult to justify in 2026.