Attempting to build your own PC in 2026 is an expensive endeavor. RAM prices have skyrocketed in recent months due to AI firms buying up global stock of DRAM in order to build datacenters, and storage — or more specifically, the NAND chips used to build storage — is next to see an aggressive price spike.
While there's really nothing any of us can do about memory and storage prices, you can still land yourself a powerful pre-built gaming PC at a reasonable price. That's because OEMs haven't yet cleared out stock assembled before the major component price hikes; once they do, well, your guess about pricing is as good as mine.
RAM and SSD prices are out of control
As I mentioned, RAM and SSD prices are currently unaffordable for the vast majority of PC enthusiasts.
Just how bad, you ask? Let's use a 2x16GB kit of Corsair's Vengeance RGB DDR5-6000 RAM as an example. In October 2025, the kit was selling for about $150 at Newegg. The same kit today? It costs $440.
Team Group, which has traditionally offered some excellent, affordable RAM, was charging about $78 for a 2x8GB kit of T-Force Delta DDR5 RAM in September 2025. It now costs $250, although there is currently a $50 discount available as part of Newegg's 25th anniversary sale.
Storage prices haven't quite reached the same level of insanity, but they're well on the way. Luckily, it's not too late to invest in some bulk storage to help ride out the storm. I recently put together a list of SSDs available for as low as $0.08/GB to help you shop.
Unfortunately, graphics cards seem to be suffering the same fate. Their need for high-performance VRAM is causing stock to dry up, and prices are once again headed in the wrong direction.
With all that in mind, pre-built gaming PC prices don't look so bad, especially if you can save a considerable chunk of change at something like Newegg's 25th anniversary sale.
FAQ
How long is Newegg's 25th anniversary sale expected to last?
Newegg's latest sales event celebrating its 25th anniversary is expected to conclude on February 1, 2026.
Is Newegg offering any additional promotions?
Aside from promo codes for certain specific products (which I've noted for the products above), Newegg is offering a deal that lands you a $25 statement credit when you use a Newegg credit card to purchase $250 or more.
Is now a good time to buy a new gaming PC?
With no end in sight for RAM and storage shortages — not to mention stock issues with GPUs — it's to say it's a great time to buy a new PC. However, those who were planning to upgrade their system in the next couple of years are sort of in a "buy now or wait it out" situation.
Unless something major happens to the AI industry, we could be in for several years of extreme hardware shortages, leading to every-increasing costs for new PCs.
I've never heard of ABS — is it a reliable brand?
ABS is Newegg's in-house brand of pre-built PCs, and in my experience, it's a trustworthy brandname. I reviewed the ABS Challenger a few years ago and appreciated its use of non-proprietary parts, clean cable management, and competitive pricing.
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