A new analysis argues that the days of truly affordable gaming hardware are likely over, even if the recent RAM crisis eventually fades. The central point is that high memory prices are only part of a bigger problem, and cheaper gaming PCs and consoles may not return in a meaningful way.
According to the piece, this is one of the worst times in recent memory to shop for a new gaming machine. Buyers looking for either a console or a PC are facing unusually high costs, with price increases no longer limited to one part of the market.
The argument is that several pressures have pushed gaming hardware upward at the same time, and that means a recovery in RAM pricing alone would not be enough to restore older budget-friendly price levels. In other words, even if one major cost problem improves, the overall market may still keep entry prices elevated.
That leaves consumers in a difficult position. Anyone planning to upgrade or buy into gaming for the first time may need to adjust expectations, because the industry appears to have moved away from the era when strong gaming performance could be found at far more accessible prices.
