Most motherboard series already cost higher than previous generations and this will be another blow to consumers.
ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI Motherboards Rumored to Soar in Prices: Another Blow to Consumers After the Post-Pandemic Era?
Since 2020, motherboard prices have soared significantly, with Intel motherboards reaching a staggering 40% higher average selling price compared to the pre-pandemic. AMD motherboards were no different and saw a 35% increase in avg selling price as well.
While the motherboard market has just started to recover, new reports are suggesting that motherboard makers are reportedly going to increase the prices of their new products. As per Board Channels (via @harukaze5719), major Taiwanese motherboard companies, such as ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte are reportedly increasing their motherboard prices.
It’s unknown as to when this price increase will take effect, but if this report is true, then current-gen motherboards such as AMD and Intel’s 800-series could soar in prices in the near future. The exact reasons aren’t out in public but could be attributed to several factors.
If you remember, the US government extended the exemption of graphics cards and motherboards shipped from China recently, but as soon as the period is over, the products may rise in prices. The ongoing trade tensions may affect the worldwide market, with hardware manufacturers adjusting their pricing strategies to circumvent tariffs and, as we know, motherboard makers don’t just manufacture their products in Taiwan alone.
However, there might be more reasons that may affect the motherboard prices, including production costs, which have increased in recent years due to technological advancements. The higher-grade copper used in the circuit boards has surged in price as well. On top of that, the increasing labor costs and adoption of technologies such as PCI-E 5.0 and USB4.0 also affect prices.
It’s not clear whether the effect will extend to older motherboards, but it could be a possibility. We have yet to hear from these manufacturers, but such price increases are done silently without any official announcements. Currently, AMD’s AM5 socket and Intel’s LGA 1851 socket are the most recent ones, but Intel’s LGA 1700 is more dominant in the market in sales. AMD’s 800 series motherboards are already expensive with many budget segment models crossing the $300 mark and another price surge could make PC building more difficult than ever.
