Tech Desk: PC enthusiasts, brace yourselves: significant PC motherboard price hikes are reportedly on the horizon, with experts warning that costs could climb by as much as 50% in the coming months. Following a Chinese forum report, which CNET’s own analysts deem highly credible, the market for these essential components is set to become the next victim of widespread supply chain pressures.

The impending increases are attributed to a perfect storm of factors. The insatiable demand from AI data centers is gobbling up memory and storage products, creating ripple effects across the electronics industry. Furthermore, a reduced supply of crucial materials like copper and specialty chemicals, exacerbated by geopolitical conflicts, is driving up manufacturing costs. Companies like ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI are facing these rising component expenses.

For anyone planning a PC build or upgrade, this news carries a clear message: waiting might prove costly. While companies like Dell and Apple can leverage volume purchasing and existing stockpiles, individual builders and smaller custom PC makers like Maingear will feel the pinch directly. As Maingear CEO William Santos advises, “Waiting doesn’t seem to pay off in this market.” If you’re considering a new motherboard, now is the time to act before the anticipated PC motherboard price hikes materialize.