The personal computer market in 2026 is facing serious challenges related to a shortage of key components. Manufacturers of graphics cards and other parts are warning of rising prices and extended delivery times, which could significantly impact the cost of ready-made systems. Particular attention is being drawn to the entry-level segment, where the shortage is felt most acutely.
Warning from PC Partner Group
On August 14, 2026, PC Partner Group, a leading manufacturer of graphics cards under the Zotac, Sapphire, Inno3D, and Manli brands, published a report on financial results for the first half of the year. In the document, the company warned of a further reduction in the availability of graphics accelerators in the coming months. According to company representatives, the market remains extremely difficult due to significant supply constraints, leading to a sharp rise in component prices and slowing consumer demand.
Impact on Prices and Availability
An especially acute shortage is expected in the entry-level graphics card segment. This could lead to an increase in average wholesale prices and, consequently, the cost of even budget desktop computers. According to PC Partner's forecast, rising prices for video memory chips will lead to a "significant increase" in the cost of graphics cards in the second half of 2026. Supply problems have affected not only graphics cards. According to the company, delivery times for central processing units, DRAM chips, and other key components have "increased significantly," worsening the situation in the industry as a whole.
Financial Results and Company Strategy
Despite a decline in sales volumes, rising graphics card prices allowed PC Partner to more than double its net profit — to HK$545.5 million (about $70 million) compared to HK$250.4 million (about $32 million) a year earlier. The company's revenue in the first half of the year grew by 1.5%, to HK$6.45 billion (about $822 million). Growth was driven by an increase in orders for graphics card manufacturing for other companies, which compensated for the decline in sales of products under its own brands.
Development Prospects
The company expects that the situation in the personal computer market will worsen in the second half of the year due to a shortage of components. At the same time, PC Partner plans to start shipping new servers with graphics processors and AI products, which should partially offset the decline in other segments. The company still expects to increase revenue by the end of the year and considers the production of GPU servers and artificial intelligence products to be key growth areas in the coming years.
Contradictory Data
Although PC Partner Group did not specify the reasons for the shortage, media reports suggest it may be partly related to growing demand for advanced chips and memory from companies developing artificial intelligence infrastructure. However, some analysts point to possible problems with production capacity and logistics, which could also affect the situation. Differences in versions require further monitoring and clarification.
