Prebuilt PC or build your own during the RAM shortage?
Building your own used to be the cheap option. During this shortage, that's not always true.
Why prebuilts can come out ahead
Tom's Hardware reports that price rises are trickling down to prebuilt systems more slowly than to loose parts. Large PC makers also buy memory on contracts; TrendForce says suppliers have been delivering agreed volumes to PC makers every quarter in 2026.
The catch
- Prebuilts may use slower memory or a single stick. Check the full specification.
- TrendForce notes some PC brands are reducing SSD sizes in mainstream models to save costs, so check storage too.
- The PC market is under pressure: Tom's Hardware cites a reported 20% fall in third-quarter 2026 PC shipments.
How to compare
Price the same CPU, graphics card, memory and storage as separate parts, then compare that total with the prebuilt, including the operating system licence.
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Sources
- Tom's Hardware: 32GB of DDR5-6000 now costs $450 (14 Oct 2026)
- TrendForce: memory contract prices keep rising in 4Q26 (30 Sep 2026)
Sources checked 15 October 2026.