The gaming PC market is facing a latest wave of challenges as prices for key components like RAM and SSDs surge, impacting the cost of building or upgrading a gaming rig. This comes as demand for these components increases from artificial intelligence (AI) companies and data centers, creating a supply crunch for consumers. The situation is prompting gamers to consider upgrades sooner rather than later, and a community-driven effort is underway to help PC enthusiasts navigate the shifting landscape.
The price increases aren’t limited to memory and storage. Graphics cards are also experiencing price pressures, adding to the overall cost of a gaming PC. According to reports from October 2025, the chairman of Adata, Simon Chen, warned of “severe shortages” affecting the supply of memory and storage, stating that AI companies are now the primary competitors for these resources. Chen indicated Adata is prioritizing support for key customers and maintaining a stockpile of supplies amidst the constraints. This competition is driving up prices, with DDR4 RAM expected to see a 30% increase between the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, according to Adata.
Community Benchmark Aims to Provide Guidance
In response to these rising costs and the complexities of optimizing PC builds in the current market, the German PC gaming hardware community forum PCGHX has launched a new community benchmark. Initiated by forum member Gurdi, the benchmark is designed to provide additional insights for gamers looking to maximize performance from their existing systems or plan future upgrades. The initiative builds upon a recent article series from PC Games Hardware that addressed performance bottlenecks and offered GPU-CPU recommendations to help users cope with the memory crisis.
The benchmark utilizes Marvel Rivals, a free-to-download game on Steam, which features a reproducible internal benchmark. This allows for consistent and comparable results across different hardware configurations. According to Gurdi, the benchmark is particularly focused on CPU performance and scalability with RAM, making it useful for evaluating older systems or secondary PCs. Participants are encouraged to share their system specifications and benchmark results, which will be compiled into a comprehensive overview.
Addressing System Bottlenecks
PC Games Hardware has previously explored strategies for mitigating the impact of the memory crisis, including identifying subtle performance limitations and providing guidance on optimizing the interplay between RAM, PCI Express, and graphics memory. The new community benchmark serves as a practical extension of this advice, offering a real-world testing ground for different configurations. The goal is to help gamers identify potential bottlenecks and make informed decisions about upgrades, especially as component prices continue to fluctuate.
The current market conditions are forcing gamers to be more strategic about their hardware choices. The increased demand from AI and data centers is reshaping the supply chain, and consumers are feeling the effects. The PCGHX community benchmark provides a valuable resource for navigating these challenges and maximizing the performance of gaming PCs in a difficult environment.
The benchmark is open to all systems, with a particular emphasis on older configurations and secondary PCs. This inclusivity aims to provide a broad range of data points and insights, helping gamers of all levels optimize their setups. Detailed information about the benchmark methodology and participation guidelines can be found on the PCGHX forum page dedicated to the initiative.
As the demand for memory and storage continues to rise from the AI sector, the gaming PC market will likely remain volatile. The PCGHX community benchmark offers a proactive approach to understanding and adapting to these changes, empowering gamers to make informed decisions and get the most out of their hardware. The next step in PC Games Hardware’s coverage will be the release of further recommendations based on the benchmark results, providing even more targeted guidance for gamers facing these challenges.
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