Motherboard Prices Are Rising as ASUS and Other Brands Face Component Shortages
PC builders may soon notice higher motherboard prices across both AMD and Intel platforms, as major motherboard manufacturers begin adjusting prices in response to rising component costs and tightening supply. ASUS has already started implementing price increases on several Intel and AMD motherboard models, and other Taiwan-based brands such as MSI and Gigabyte are expected to face similar pressure.
The main reason behind the increase is a growing shortage of key motherboard components. Printed circuit boards, voltage regulation modules, capacitors, copper, power delivery parts, and control chips have all become more expensive. These parts are essential for building modern motherboards, but demand from enterprise, cloud computing, and AI data center companies has surged sharply.
Large-scale data center operators are building massive computing systems and are willing to pay higher prices for the same components used in consumer PC hardware. As suppliers shift more inventory toward enterprise buyers, consumer PC brands are left with fewer options. They either pay more for parts or struggle to secure enough supply.
This trend is not limited to motherboards. The broader PC hardware market is already dealing with higher prices for graphics cards, processors, power supplies, memory, and other components. The latest motherboard price hikes add another layer of pressure for gamers, PC enthusiasts, and DIY builders who are already facing a more expensive upgrade cycle.
Industry reports from the motherboard supply chain suggest that PCB prices for consumer motherboards could rise by at least 50% in 2026. At the same time, other raw materials and supporting components have also seen significant price jumps. Copper, capacitors, power devices, and related controller chips are all contributing to higher production costs.
Motherboard makers are facing a difficult situation. Demand in the DIY PC market remains weak, which has reduced shipment volumes. At the same time, manufacturing costs continue to climb. This leaves brands with shrinking margins, as they cannot always pass the full cost increase directly to customers without risking even weaker sales.
Because of this, Taiwanese motherboard manufacturers are expected to begin a new round of price adjustments in the third quarter of 2026. The goal is to offset rising component costs, improve profitability, and reduce pressure on distributors and channel partners.
ASUS appears to be among the first major brands to officially notify distributors in Taiwan about updated pricing. The company’s latest price adjustments started in early August and apply to selected Intel and AMD motherboard models.
For Intel motherboards, ASUS has raised prices on several product lines. Higher-end Z890, Z790, and B860 motherboards are seeing increases of around 20 to 30 RMB on certain mainstream models. Some B760 series motherboards have increased by around 20 RMB, while specific distribution-focused models have gone up by around 5 RMB. Entry-level H-series boards are seeing smaller increases of around 5 to 10 RMB.
For AMD motherboards, the biggest increases are affecting the X870 series, where selected models have risen by around 30 to 50 RMB. Some higher-end B850 motherboards have increased by around 20 RMB, while other models in the same series remain unchanged. Older AMD 600-series AM5 motherboards and lower-end lineups appear to be unaffected for now.
In U.S. dollar terms, these increases are relatively modest at the moment, roughly in the range of $5 to $15 depending on the model. However, even small price hikes can matter in today’s PC market, especially when buyers are already paying more for RAM, GPUs, CPUs, and storage.
The bigger concern is that these early increases may only be the beginning. If AI infrastructure demand continues to consume large amounts of component supply, motherboard manufacturers could be forced to raise prices further in the coming months. The enterprise and cloud computing sectors are expanding rapidly, and their demand for high-performance systems shows no sign of slowing down.
For everyday PC builders, this means waiting for cheaper motherboard prices may not be the best strategy, especially for newer platforms like Intel 800-series boards or AMD 800-series AM5 motherboards. While prices have not skyrocketed yet, the supply chain pressure behind these increases is real and could continue to build.
The motherboard market is now caught between two opposing forces: weak consumer demand and rising production costs. Brands want to avoid pushing buyers away with higher prices, but they also need to protect their margins as essential parts become harder and more expensive to source.
If the trend continues, AMD and Intel motherboard pricing could become a key factor for anyone planning a gaming PC, workstation, or platform upgrade in 2026. Buyers looking at ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, and other major brands may want to keep a close eye on pricing over the next few months, especially as new product waves arrive and component shortages deepen.
