Based on a price - trend report issued by PCPartPicker, a well - known U.S. platform for building DIY computers, core PC hardware is currently undergoing an uncommon wave of price increases. Memory and SSDs are witnessing especially substantial hikes, while the shortage of graphics card supplies is further intensifying this trend.

PCPartPicker keeps a close eye on the prices of thousands of PC components and presents trends in minimum, maximum, and average prices via intensity charts. The data reveals that since October 2025, memory prices have shot up rapidly. The average prices of DDR4 and DDR5 memory have collectively surged by 331% from their previous lows. Industry insiders anticipate that this upward trend will persist into the first quarter of 2026.

SSDs have also joined the price - hike bandwagon. Starting in early December 2025, their prices began to rise gradually. By January 2026, the average price increase had reached 56%, and there is a possibility of further rises.

The graphics card market is under significant pressure as well. Quotes for multiple mainstream graphics card models have gone up. Moreover, due to depleted inventories, some models have outdated price data.

This price surge is mainly propelled by the explosive growth in the demand for AI computing power. AI servers require 8 to 10 times more memory than standard servers. They consume over half of the global monthly production capacity, resulting in a structural imbalance between supply and demand.

In addition, prices for key components such as processors and power supplies have generally remained stable. Monitor prices have even dropped slightly, and mechanical hard drive prices have shown only minor fluctuations.