“After RAM, it’s the turn of GPUs: the risk of an increase in the prices of PS5, Xbox and PC is very real.” This sentence perfectly sums up the current situation in the gaming market. After months of continuous rise in the price of RAM, it is now the graphics card market that is faltering. And the impact could be brutal, both for PC gamers and for PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
According to the latest information relayed by Newsis, the two main GPU manufacturers, AMD and NVIDIA, are considering a significant increase in their prices by the end of 2026. The reasons are multiple: rising manufacturing costs, tensions on supply chains, ever-increasing demand for video games and AI. The most powerful cards could reach up to $5,000. A sum that is difficult to justify, even for the most demanding players.
Why is this price increase worrying the entire sector?
While graphics cards are primarily a concern for PC gamers, their impact goes well beyond that. “Very bad news for PC owners, but also serious repercussions for consoles.” Indeed, the consoles also integrate GPUs, often custom-designed by AMD, as is the case for the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. Any increase in these components therefore has a direct impact on the production cost of the consoles.
And that’s bad news: Sony and Microsoft are already working on the next generation of machines. With launches expected for 2027, these new consoles could inherit components that are much more expensive than expected. Enough to call into question their selling price, and by extension, their accessibility to the general public.
PlayStation 6 and future Xbox: what should we expect?
Leaks are multiplying around the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox. The technological ambitions would be particularly high, particularly on the side of Microsoft. “Both companies are also secretly working on the next generation of consoles, with Xbox’s plans for the future being particularly interesting because, according to rumors, its next device will have more in common with a PC than a traditional console.”
This evolution towards architectures ever closer to PC gaming could logically cause costs to explode. If GPUs become unaffordable, Sony and Microsoft will have to make a choice: cut back on power or pass on the increases to the final price of the consoles.
Will gaming become a luxury reserved for a few?
While Valve is banking on alternatives like the Steam Machine or the Steam Deck to attract players looking for affordable solutions, uncertainty remains total. The components are more expensive, the consoles are likely to follow, and the release dates are spread out without certainty. “We will have to wait for confirmations from AMD and NVIDIA, but this year may be difficult for gamers on all platforms.”
In this context, the slightest launch becomes strategic. Should you buy now before the next increases? Waiting for a drop that may never come? The next few months will be decisive in knowing whether video games will remain an accessible leisure activity… or not.