Bad news, PC gamers: Graphics cards and processors could get even pricier

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A claimed TSMC price hike spells trouble for upgraders

an image of an MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090
(Image credit: MSI)

If you were hoping to build or upgrade a gaming PC this year, then we have some bad news: processors and graphics cards are set to get more expensive across 2022. 

The reason for this, according to DigiTimes, is that chip manufacturer TSMC is planning to raise its prices by 20% and that will affect its two largest customers: AMD and Nvidia. So that Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 you might have been eyeing up could surge even further beyond its recommended retail price of $699. 

Given the chip shortages over 2021, it sucked to be a PC gamer looking to get the latest hardware. And there’s a horrible whiff that this situation might not change as we push further into 2022. 

What can you do? 

Gaming PC Setup

(Image credit: Unsplash)

So you might want to know what the heck you can do to get your hands on the latest graphics cards and processors. That’s tricky if you have a fairly new machine you’re looking to upgrade, as you may only need to upgrade the GPU or CPU, meaning it's a case of just waiting for the component of your choice to come in stock at a reasonable price. 

But if you have a PC that’s somewhat outdated, it might be time to consider buying a pre-built machine. Sure, these are more expensive than the DIY route and arguably lose an element of customization, but you do get a rig that’s professionally built. Furthermore, PC makers tend to have an easier time getting access to the latest powerful components, meaning they could be your best route to getting a GeForce RTX 3080. 

Our very own Tony Polanco went down the pre-built route and got a powerful PC with relative ease. Check out our best gaming PCs list for a selection of the machines we’d recommend. 

Another solution is to consider getting a gaming laptop. These may not be able to deliver the same overall power of a desktop, but they obviously benefit from portability and space saving. They also have access to graphics cards that offer more than enough power to chew through some of the best PC games. And they also come with some impressive displays, meaning a single machine could give you an even bigger upgrade than you might expect; check out our roundup of the best gaming laptops. 

If you do manage to get hold of a GeForce RTX 30-series or AMD Radeon RX 6000 graphics card, do let us know how you did it and what your experience has been. 

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Roland Moore-Colyer
Roland Moore-Colyer

Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at Tom’s Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. He often writes about gaming, phones, laptops and other bits of hardware; he’s also got an interest in cars. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face.