PC buyers looking for a cheap graphics card or a new monitor may want to watch prices closely over the next few months. Rising graphics memory costs and tighter component supplies are creating fresh pressure across the PC hardware market, and manufacturers are warning that some products could become more expensive in the second half of 2026.
According to VideoCardz, PC Partner Group, the company behind ZOTAC, Inno3D, and Manli, described the current PC market as “highly challenging” in its financial results published on August 14. The company said limited GPU and graphics memory availability has already affected shipments and expects graphics memory prices to increase further during H2 2026.
The pressure is already visible in PC Partner’s numbers. Graphics card unit sales fell 18.4% during the first half of 2026 compared with the second half of 2025. Revenue from its graphics card business also dropped 9.2% year-over-year to HK$4.46 billion. At the same time, the average selling price of its graphics cards increased 10.7%.
PC Partner expects the situation to become more difficult for entry-level graphics cards, warning that these products could experience “even more severe shortages.” If supply remains limited while memory prices continue to rise, retailers and manufacturers could pass some of those costs on to buyers.
The potential price pressure is not limited to graphics cards. KTC has warned customers that monitor prices across its lineup could increase because component costs have reached a level the company can no longer fully absorb. The company has not confirmed which models will be affected or when new pricing could arrive, and it is still negotiating with suppliers in an attempt to delay increases.
AOC has already notified distributors about price adjustments beginning in August, citing higher costs for panels, power components, and manufacturing.
For PC buyers, the key points are:
- Entry-level graphics cards could face tighter supply in H2 2026.
- PC Partner expects graphics memory prices to rise further.
- Its graphics card unit sales fell 18.4% in the first half of 2026.
- Average graphics card selling prices increased 10.7%.
- KTC is warning that monitor prices may increase.
- AOC has already announced distributor price adjustments.
- OLED monitor shipments grew 26.1% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026.
The monitor market is still expanding despite the cost pressure. TrendForce reports that global OLED monitor shipments increased 26.1% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026, with ASUS maintaining its lead while MSI continued to close the gap with Samsung.
There is no indication that every GPU or monitor will immediately receive a price increase. Existing inventory, retailer promotions, and manufacturer pricing decisions will continue to influence what consumers actually pay. However, the combination of tighter GPU memory supply and rising monitor component costs could make the second half of 2026 more expensive for PC upgrades.
For shoppers already planning to buy a budget graphics card or monitor, current deals could become more important if manufacturers begin adjusting prices. Those who are not in a hurry may want to track pricing closely, particularly on entry-level GPUs, before deciding when to upgrade.
Sources: VideoCardz, VideoCardz
