Building Your Dream PC Is About to Take Longer and Cost More - Shortages See some Shops Now Limiting SSD, HDD, and RAM Purchases to Prevent Hoarding

Why It Matters

The chip crunch raises the cost and delay of PC builds, squeezing both gamers and professionals and highlighting how AI‑driven demand can strain the broader consumer hardware supply chain.

Summary

Japanese PC retailers in Akihabara have begun capping sales of SSDs, HDDs and RAM as inventories dwindle amid a global shortage of storage and memory chips. The shortage is driven by AI data‑center demand, prompting manufacturers to shift production toward high‑end SSDs and DRAM, while phasing out DDR4 in favor of pricier DDR5. Prices for memory have already doubled and are expected to rise further, forcing smaller PC makers like Minisforum to hike prices on all SSD‑ and DRAM‑equipped models. The constrained supply means consumers will face longer lead times and higher costs when building or upgrading PCs.