In the first part of this serial nosotros looked at DDR4 memory, discussed pricing and availability, and speculated as to when would-be builders can await prices to fall. Then in function 2 nosotros did a similar matter, but at that place the focus was on graphics cards. Those were the 2 big ones for certain, memory and graphics cards.

For the final installment of our series, we're looking at the whole picture show. We're non just talking near other components but the product cycle and timing for edifice a new gaming PC in early 2018.

Solid state storage pricing crept upwardly a little bit late last year, but nothing really worth talking about. As it stands correct at present, a quality 1TB SSD such equally the Crucial MX500 volition set yous back simply 25c per gigabyte and that's about as low as I've seen them get. So I'm not going to blindside on about SSD prices as they aren't increasing the barrier of entry for gamers.

Image: glob3trotters

Then, if not storage, what other hurdles might gamers face at the moment?

It's my opinion that even if graphics cards and memory were retailing at the manufacturer's suggested retail prices, it's all the same non a smashing time to build or upgrade your PC every bit we happen to be at the terminate of a few product cycles...

Within three months AMD is set to release their second generation Ryzen CPUs. We're non expecting huge improvements simply are hoping for at least a 10% performance jump and an increase in performance per watt.

We also know that AMD 400-series motherboards are set for release. Nosotros don't precisely know what will be on offer there, simply it does mean ownership a Ryzen CPU and 300-serial motherboard correct now is only justified if you can't perhaps await a few more months.

For upkeep builders, information technology'southward quite possible that once 2d-gen Ryzen arrives existing CPUs and motherboards might go on auction. Nosotros too expect the arrival of 'Raven Ridge' desktop APUs which should be very exciting and worth waiting for. The Ryzen five 2400G will possibly eliminate the need for entry-level discrete graphics cards with its Vega 11 integrated GPU.

On the other side of the fence we have Intel and the Coffee Lake series which is not fully out in that location. As it stands eighth gen Core processors can only be paired with Z370 motherboards which outset at $110. We know motherboard makers are preparing to launch B360, H310 and H370 motherboards very soon, and these will be far better value options for budget shoppers. In particular to be coupled with the amazing Core i3-8100.

High-end Intel shoppers might besides want to hold fire on that Cadre i7-8700K purchase as updated Z390 motherboard volition also be arriving shortly. Rumor has information technology these boards will exist required to support upcoming 8-core/16-thread Coffee Lake CPUs.

Moving on from CPUs and motherboards, we're also expecting new graphics cards soon, at to the lowest degree from Nvidia while AMD is set to human action later in the year. The GeForce 10 serial was released back in May 2016, then it wouldn't surprise me if we run across the side by side generation series take to shelves around May 2018, but that'southward purely speculation on my behalf. Nosotros do know Nvidia is preparing to launch a new graphics serial soon and this is a contributing factor to why they won't attempt and increment Pascal production.

In other words, in the next 3 to iv months you could have your pick of new CPUs, motherboards, and graphics cards. If you lot're desperate for an upgrade correct now and tin can't await, well and so go for it, it's just not platonic.

Equally a side notation, there is something else that could threaten PC component prices this year and that is a shortage of copper foil, which could atomic number 82 to a PCB shortage. The price of copper saw a 25% increase in 2017, and while there's even so enough of copper about, there'south a looming shortage in copper foil production capacity.

Eating upward a good chunk of copper foil production are lithium batteries used by electric vehicles. Current reports country that demand is standing to increase while global output isn't. Compounding this potential issue is China's plan to ban the import of electronic waste, a significant source of recycled copper. No doubt other countries will eventually selection upwards the slack, but in the concurrently this could leave to a subtract in copper supply.

Given the footstep of product releases, in the world of tech you lot tin can near always say it's better to wait than to buy now, merely at some betoken you accept to pull the trigger and get on with it. Correct at present though we're just very deep into product cycles.

To recap, in that location's no telling when graphics card pricing and availability will residuum out. DDR4 probably won't settle downwards until DDR5 takes over. And now at that place's the possibility that everything could get a fiddling more than expensive in 2018... 2017 nosotros have information technology dorsum, you lot weren't all that bad.

Or, potential problems may non become an effect at all and in a few months' time you might see us writing a new serial called "Why Edifice a Gaming PC Right Now is a Great Thought." Fingers crossed, people!

Recommended read: The x All-time Things About Edifice a New Gaming PC

TechSpot Serial:
Why Building a Gaming PC Correct Now Is a Bad Idea

2017 was an exciting year for PC hardware just it wasn't all roses. The warning signs we saw are painting more difficult in 2018. In this 3-role series we discuss why edifice a new gaming PC is not a nifty idea at the moment, or at the very least, it's going to come at great expense.

  • Part 1: DDR4 Retentiveness Prices: Why So Loftier and When Volition They Fall?
  • Part 2: Insane Graphics Card Prices: Miners, GDDR Demand & PUBG Gamers
  • Part 3: Bad Timing: What's Cooking Right Now?