I’ve built dozens of rigs over the years. Used to stay up-to-date with all the latest releases of computer parts but lost touch in the last few years. My current PC is on it’s last leg after 10 years, GPU is slowly dying. It’s my daily driver, with gaming, rendering, hosting servers for home automation.
I bought a 9950x3d early this year but due to unforeseen financial circumstances, had to put it off until I saved enough. The recent cost of RAM prices have discouraged me from continuing to build and waiting for the prices to drop may take a while.
Not sure on what to do, should I bit the bullet and get the rest of the parts during boxing day or wait it out and hope Q1 bring price drops?
Yes, I am a bit concerned. But I’ve lived a long life and have seen these scenarios come in waves. Currently, RAM prices are skyrocketing as demand for data centers continues to rise. GPU’s wont see any drop until an oversaturation occurs (which will eventually come). The issue is of course, when? I dont know. We all see a bubble forming, but who knows when or if it will pop.
Eventually though, all this massive demand will wane and supply will require a drop in price. Maybe not the newest items, but last years models will tank in price (eventually).
I don’t know how to answer this question, but I am a budget buyer, and when I say that I mean that I buy within my budget. Ever since the year 2020 I have had to cut back a lot, and when targets move I leave mine as is. For people who have to buy, buy smart. Buy within your means. You don’t have to buy a RAM kit now; you buy a single stick, then another when the time is right. Availability may be an issue.
You can also change your goals, and adapt pending on conditions. Go with 2 x 16GB, then later sell, and upgrade to 2 x 32GB. It is an example.
I will be postponing my planned purchases. There are businesses who are reviewing their options, and they are consumers like us. Data centres represent tech industrialisation, at least that is how I see it.
Recently my RX Vega 64 died… I am a bit sad, but due to urgency I had to replace it with a RX 9060 XT, and perhaps it was a sign that the timing was right. I still need to upgrade the rest… and that will have to wait until better times.
At this point in time, I do hope that there is some restoration in 6-8 months. Those who are betting big on AI, it is a risk that they are accepting.
Yes, I built a system in November 2025 and I was shocked at the prices of RAM. I paid more than double for RAM over what I paid earlier this same year, but I was lucky that I didn’t pay triple. Look for the sales and stick with 2 X 16 GB for just 32 GB of RAM for now. I found that GPU prices and CPU prices were not bad though. It’s only RAM that seems to be through the roof.
I just update as and when necessary, I’ve long given up on the latest and greatest route. A decent midrange system meets my requirements and saves a ton of cash in the long run.
Got a crystal ball that tells the future; AI bubble bursts early '26. Ram prices plummet due to overproduction. Steam machines go out the door for $1.50. PC gaming is saved. Everyone claps.
I feel your pain. I’m 52 and have been a PC enthusiast for about 25 years or so. I got my start modding PCs in the late 90s. It used to be I could afford to upgrade yearly and pass my parts down to my 2 sons. Those were the good ole’ days. Realistically, I can afford whatever I want at this point in my life, but it just seems criminal how crazy prices have gotten… on almost all PC parts. It really has killed the hobby for me. I was just down in my basement going through all my PC modding supplies and taking pictures to post them on Marketplace and Ebay. Not sure if I’ll go through with it. Maybe I’ll just give stuff away on here, if that’s even allowed. I just can’t get into it any more. It wasn’t all that long ago that a REALLY good GPU was about $400, and now that barely gets you an entry level card.
Don’t give up on your creative computer designs. I want to see your builds featured somewhere - either an online forum or even a magazine. You have that creative juice that most others do not. Do something that you will be proud of in 2026.
Al, after seeing the disgusting display by Lisa Su at CES with one of Trump’s idiot cronies on stage, I’m done with this as a hobby and with AMD. I’ve been predicting the death of PC tech as a hobby for a couple years now, and recent developments only affirm that. Micron abandoning the consumer market, nVidia all but abandoning the mainstream users, and now AMD basically cucking all of us. Absolutely disgusting. Anyone who continues to support these companies through this period of abandonment is… well I’ll just say complicit in the demise of the hobby.
