For just a couple of months in the middle of 2025, it was an OK time to build a PC

As 2025 unfolds, the landscape for PC building has become increasingly challenging, particularly in the area of graphics cards. Early reviews highlighted impressive performance metrics, yet consumers were left grappling with issues of availability and steep pricing. While these evaluations provided valuable insights, they fell short in offering concrete purchasing guidance, often reducing comparisons between Nvidia and AMD to mere speculation. As we approach the end of the year, a concerning trend has emerged: significant price hikes for memory and storage components. This surge is unprecedented, marking the most dramatic shifts I've observed in two decades of scrutinizing PC parts pricing. The demand from AI data centers has driven a massive increase in RAM prices, making memory potentially the priciest component in many builds. In some instances, prices have skyrocketed since summer, with certain RAM kits now costing up to four times their August prices. Storage isn't faring any better. Some SSDs have seen prices double compared to earlier this summer, with the newer WD Blue SN5100 exhibiting a notable price shift. The outlook is grim, as memory manufacturer Micron has announced plans to withdraw its Crucial-branded products from the market due to these shortages. Their recent earnings call indicated that supply issues may persist well into 2026. Meanwhile, Kingston's executives forecast that prices could continue their upward trajectory throughout the coming year. In contrast, Sapphire, a GPU manufacturer, suggests that while prices may stabilize, they are likely to settle at a less favorable level for consumers.