# Intel and AMD CPU Price Hike: Consumer Shortages in 2026
Starting in April 2026, Intel and AMD will raise prices on all processor series by 10–15%. This move is driven by a shift in production toward data centers, where demand for computing power is growing faster than in the consumer market. Delivery times for mass-market CPUs will stretch to several months, sparking further shortages in the second quarter.
Manufacturers are prioritizing the enterprise segment due to its high margins. As a result, supplies of desktop and mobile processors will shrink, and prices for ready-made systems—motherboards, PCs, and laptops—will follow the trend.
Previous Price Adjustments and Their Causes
In October 2025, Intel already bumped up prices on 13th and 14th generation desktop CPUs (Raptor Lake) by 10%. Key factors were rising production costs and fading interest in the new Intel Core Ultra chips on the consumer market.
Similar trends are hitting other vendors. In January 2026, Asus announced price increases on some product lines due to RAM shortages. Dell had previously reported a 10–30% hike in commercial laptop prices.
- Key drivers of price increases:
- Reallocation of production capacity to data centers.
- Extended delivery times for the retail segment.
- Rising production and logistics costs.
- Declining demand at the consumer level.
Impact on the Ready-Made Hardware Market
Processor price hikes will inevitably push up costs for PCs and laptops. System makers dependent on Intel and AMD supplies will adjust their pricing to offset shortage-related losses.
For developers and system integrators, this means rethinking budgets for workstation upgrades. With data center applications taking center stage, consumer CPUs are becoming an afterthought, ramping up price pressure.
The RAM and storage markets have already seen the same pattern: 10–20% increases over recent months. Processors are on the same trajectory, fueling broader hardware inflation.
Key Takeaways
- CPU makers are focusing on data centers, cutting consumer market volumes.
- From April 2026: +10–15% on all Intel and AMD series, with delivery times stretching to months.
- PC and laptop prices will climb along with components.
- Background: Intel raised Raptor Lake prices in 2025 due to costs and weak demand.
- Recommendation: Plan purchases ahead of time and keep an eye on alternative platforms.
— Editorial Team
No comments yet.