Gaming PCs may be gone by 2028 – and Nvidia’s ‘good’ AI boom is costing us.
I’ve been putting together Apple’s MacBook Neo for a week, and it’s nice to be able to tell people about an inexpensive laptop. Unfortunately, I can’t do the same for PC games. Due to the ongoing RAM problem, it seems that the budget gaming rig’s days are officially numbered. While Apple has found a way to keep costs down (at least with the Neo), the PC gaming world is headed in the opposite direction.
If current trends continue, PC gaming enthusiasts who like to build, modify, and upgrade their kits could be priced out in the next few years. We’re not just talking about a little bit of inflation – we can see a future where an “entry-level” gaming PC starts at $2,000 or more.
That’s why PC gaming can be a very exclusive club.
Ramageddon strikes again
As Gartner reports, rising memory costs are already suffocating the market. The company predicts that rising prices for DRAM and NAND flash will lead to a sharp decline in global PC and smartphone shipments by 2026.
This is a double whammy for PC gamers. Not only do we need RAM memory for our system, but we also need it for our GPUs and high-end NVMe drives. As the cost of raw materials increases, manufacturers pass that increase directly to consumers.
We’re already seeing “budget” GPUs ship with less VRAM just to keep prices stable, and Gartner’s data suggests that even those degraded cards are about to get more expensive.
Lack is “sweet”
Don’t expect any major manufacturers to swoop in and save the day. Speaking at a recent conference, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the current resource shortage is “exciting” for the company (via VideoCardz). While that’s certainly true from the company’s perspective, it’s not ideal for the average player.
Huang was discussing this in the context of AI infrastructure rather than gaming products specifically, but it’s still disappointing to hear. It can be seen as confirmation that the high prices are not short-term strategies and may reflect a business model that prioritizes high-income businesses and AI markets over consumers. You only need to look at Micron’s decision to leave the consumer RAM market as an example.
While this benefits Nvidia’s business focus, it highlights a growing disconnect between AI needs and consumer affordability.
The bleak future of PC gaming
Based on Gartner’s report, Metro UK has a grim prediction: by 2028, gaming PCs “will be too expensive for the average person.” Based on Gartner’s report and actual reality, I agree with this assessment.
Metro UK believes we are moving towards a two-sided market. On the other hand, you will have low powered devices and consoles for the masses. On the other hand, you will have a very aggressive PC market, where the barrier to entry can rise from $800 to around $2,500.
By 2028, the components needed to run the latest AAA titles in 4K, let alone 8K, will be so specialized and in demand (thanks to the AI boom) that the average consumer will simply be priced out of the DIY market entirely.
While there has always been a divide between low-end and high-end gaming in the PC world, that gap could grow even wider. And that is a very good situation. The way things are going, budget or entry-level rigs and parts may be out of stock.
Outlook
If $2,000 is down for a functional gaming PC, where does that leave the average gamer?
The only options would be the upcoming PS6 or Xbox Project Helix. It’s also possible that those who prefer the PC experience may turn to cloud gaming services like GeForce Now. While I’m not a fan of subscription services, paying a monthly fee can be less expensive than shelling out thousands of gaming devices.
Building your own PC has always been one of the most rewarding (and empowering) parts of being a PC gamer. However, with Gartner’s recall warnings, Huang’s statement, and price predictions for 2028, it appears that the era may be coming to an end. I don’t see PC gaming going away, but it’s quickly changing from casual to demanding luxury.
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