MSI General Manager Huang Jinqing has announced that 2026 marks the most difficult year in the company’s history. The global RAM crisis and a 20% GPU supply deficit on Nvidia’s side are deeply shaking the personal computer market.

RAM Crisis Intensifies: MSI Halts Budget PC Production

Due to ongoing hardware shortages, MSI is implementing price hikes between 15% and 30% across its gaming product lines. To protect revenue streams, the company will reduce entry-level laptop production by 30%, shifting its entire focus toward mid-range and high-end (enthusiast) devices.

In addition to changes in the laptop segment, a surprising move was made in motherboard manufacturing. While DDR5 motherboards previously dominated the lineup, MSI has rapidly adjusted its strategy to quadruple the production of legacy DDR4-supported models to offer more viable options to consumers.

Market Contraction and Global Impact

There is a slight glimmer of hope in the European market; DDR5 memory prices in Germany saw a roughly 7% decrease in March. However, despite this minor dip, prices remain four times higher than they were in September 2025.

Industry giants like HP are also grappling with this crisis. Analysts project a sharp market contraction of at least 10%, with overall PC sales expected to drop by 10% to 20% this year. The biggest blow is being dealt to budget-friendly systems, as brands prioritize higher-margin hardware to survive the supply constraints.

As hardware costs soar and brands announce production cuts, the era of affordable PC gaming seems to be under threat. What are your thoughts on this crisis? Are you still planning to build a new system or buy a laptop under these conditions? Share your views in the comments!