Motherboard sales are now collapsing amid unprecedented shortages fueled by AI
tomshardware.com
May 7, 2026
6 min read
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62/100
Summary
Motherboard sales have declined by over 25% due to chipmakers prioritizing AI chip production, leading to a projected loss of 5 million units for Asus in 2025. Major PC component prices, including memory modules, have risen amid these shortages as fewer consumers build new PCs.
Key Takeaways
- Motherboard sales have declined by over 25% due to chipmakers prioritizing AI chip production over consumer components.
- Asus is projected to sell 5 million fewer motherboards in 2025, with Gigabyte, MSI, and ASRock also expecting significant sales reductions.
- The overall motherboard market is expected to contract by 28% among the four major manufacturers, driven by increased demand for AI-related hardware.
- Shortages of CPUs and other PC components have led to higher prices and discouraged consumers from upgrading their systems.
Community Sentiment
Positives
- The decline in prices for AI-related components could lead to increased competition, potentially benefiting consumers in the long run.
- The current situation highlights the importance of open platforms, as users may gravitate towards server-grade components or more open systems.
Concerns
- AI advancements are driving prices up, making it increasingly difficult for average consumers to afford personal computing hardware.
- The trend towards corporate control over computing resources threatens the accessibility and ownership of personal technology, which could lead to a divide among users.
