Why are PC component prices like RAM and hard drives soaring?

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PC Component Prices Are Experiencing Significant Inflation

The prices of personal computer components, specifically RAM and hard disk drives, have seen substantial increases. This surge in cost means that a budget of RM2,000, which a decade ago could have secured a moderately capable mid-range desktop PC assembled from individual parts, is now insufficient to cover even the essential components like the motherboard, processor, RAM, and storage. This inflationary trend extends to the secondhand market as well, with older devices like an Intel-chipped Mac mini retaining a high value due to their dual-booting capabilities.
Soaring Costs of Essential PC Parts

The current market is characterised by a notable escalation in the prices of fundamental PC components. The cost of RAM modules and hard disk drives, in particular, has become significantly elevated. This makes building or upgrading a personal computer a far more expensive undertaking than in previous years.
Historical Price Comparisons

A decade ago, an investment of RM2,000 would have been sufficient to purchase the necessary parts for a competent mid-range desktop computer. However, current market conditions dictate that this same budget would not even cover the combined cost of a motherboard, processor, RAM, and storage alone. This highlights a dramatic shift in the affordability of PC hardware.
Secondhand Market Value and RAM Costs

The inflationary pressure is also evident in the market for pre-owned computer hardware. For instance, an older Mac mini model equipped with an Intel processor remains valuable on the secondhand market, largely due to its ability to run both macOS and Windows. Furthermore, even the price of used RAM modules has become prohibitively expensive, making it difficult to augment existing systems with additional memory economically.

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Why are PC component prices like RAM and hard drives soaring?

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