GPU Manufacturers Raise Prices on Budget GPUs: Shortages and Rising Costs

Graphics card manufacturer PC Partner, known for brands AMD, Inno3D, Manli, Sapphire, and Zotac, has reported significant cost increases expected in late 2026. The company anticipates this will lead to higher GPU prices, particularly in the budget segment. Meanwhile, supply volumes for graphics cards continue to decline, potentially further driving up device costs.

Analyst Jon Peddie from Jon Peddie Research has cast doubt on declining demand for consumer GPUs. According to his data, 11.82 million graphics cards were sold in Q1 2026, a 28% increase year-over-year. However, revenue surged by 76% to $10.85 billion, indicating a sharp rise in average device prices.

Experts note that price increases are not always driven by objective factors like memory costs. Peddie suggests manufacturers may be leveraging the situation to inflate prices and boost profits. This is particularly evident in the budget segment, where shortages could further escalate costs.

In the ODM/OEM segment, where PC Partner collaborates with AMD and Sapphire, shipment volumes fell by 38.4%, yet revenue grew by 73.9% due to an 181% increase in average prices. This may reflect rising demand for high-performance solutions.