[PConline News] Prices for PC accessories have started to rise across the board, with rumors of graphics card price hikes and motherboard cost increases now becoming a reality. Asus has officially confirmed an internal pricing adjustment strategy, and the main reason cited is the rising cost of raw materials. Initially, some speculated that this might be an internal move by Asus, but recent reports indicate that the entire PC industry is heading toward a general price increase, affecting all components to varying degrees.
In fact, the trend began last month due to material shortages and environmental regulations, which caused a sharp spike in the prices of PCB raw materials. Epoxy resin, a key component in circuit boards, saw a monthly increase of up to 30% from the third quarter. At the same time, the cost of ink used in PCB manufacturing rose between 10% and 15%. Electronic components such as resistors and capacitors also experienced significant price jumps. As a result, PCB manufacturers had to raise their prices by about 10%-15%, leading to an increase of at least 10-20 yuan per motherboard.
According to Bobantang, Asus has already verbally informed its sales channels about the upcoming price hikes on graphics cards. Starting in January, motherboard prices will rise across the board, with mainstream models increasing by 5-20 yuan and low-end models by 5-10 yuan. As the largest motherboard manufacturer in the market, Asus holds nearly 70% of the market share. Once these price increases are fully implemented, the impact on the motherboard market could be significant.
Additionally, the price of graphics cards, which had been previously announced, has also been confirmed by Asus. The "Electronic Times" in Taiwan reported that due to tight supply of GPU chips and memory modules, the cost of graphics cards has risen sharply. As a result, high-end graphics card models are expected to see price increases of $5-$20, or approximately RMB 33-130. Regarding the graphics card price hikes, there's also been a surge in demand driven by the virtual currency market and the recent "chicken-eating" gaming trend. Vendors expect a month-on-month decline in graphics card shipments during the first quarter of 2018, but profits are expected to rise due to higher prices.
Whether it's the rising costs of raw materials and electronic components or current market demand, PC product prices are clearly on the rise. If the price increase was only due to Asus’s internal adjustments, one might be more understanding, but now it's clear that the overall PC market is heading toward a price hike that seems inevitable. As we enter the new year, keep an eye on your wallet and be cautious when making purchases. It might be time to hold off on that upgrade for a while.
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