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- Observing hardware release cycles can help determine when retailers will offer discounts before the next big product launch.
- PC component prices can drop even after a sale ends to sell out any remaining stock.
- GPU prices tend to be lower when crypto mining demands are lower.
- Now is the perfect time to upgrade your PC, seeing cryptocurrencies are dwindling and new CPUs have recently launched.
Building or upgrading your PC can be a painfully staking task, especially if you’re trying to get the most value out of your purchase. Time and again, I have been asked when to purchase PC components. Nothing’s written in stone, but a few factors affect PC prices. So, when should you build your next gaming PC? Is it during the holiday season or perhaps right before and after a new product launch? Let’s delve deeper into the market analytics of PC parts.
Keep An Eye Out On Hardware Release Cycles
The first thing you want to do is keep an eye out for the latest hardware releases. Whether you’re upgrading a specific PC component or building a PC from scratch, it won’t hurt to know what the latest offerings can be. Most CPUs, GPUs, and motherboards are typically released yearly in Spring or early Fall. For example, the latest Ryzen 9000 series CPUs were released in mid-August after a slight delay.
During this release cycle, you’ll see significant discounts and price drops for current-gen hardware, so whether you’re interested in cheaper components or the latest wizz, your best bet is to follow product launches. I also recommend waiting for major events to pass by, such as Computex, which takes place in June. During this period, you’ll get lots of information on the latest products and what you should expect regarding performance improvements.
To make things easier for you, here is a list of potential product releases we’re awaiting from the three giants, NVIDIA, Intel, and AMD:
- 9000X3D Launch: CES 2025
- RTX 5000 Series Launch: CES 2025
- RX 8000 Series Debut: CES 2025
- Intel 15th Gen Series Launch: Quarter 4 of 2024 (between October and December)
Take Advantage Of Seasonal Trends
Another perfect time to shop for your new PC parts is by taking advantage of seasonal trends. Sure, you’ll find discounts during the holiday season, Black Friday, and Christmas, but what about after that time? Many retailers have more stock than they need, and the prices can drop even more after these sales. Of course, it’s not guaranteed to happen, but there’s a good chance you may see amazing discounts on current-gen processors and graphics cards.
All I’m saying is you should take advantage of when demand decreases for certain PC parts. Demand can decrease after sales and a few months before major corporate events like Computex and CES. However, I recommend browsing your preferred e-commerce websites from January to March to maximize available discounts.
Cryptocurrency Plays A Lead Role In GPU Prices
Outside of discounts and hardware launches, a major factor that has recently affected the timing of when you should build your PC is cryptocurrency mining. Remember when crypto miners started stockpiling graphics cards like crazy, leaving almost no reasonably priced GPU? Yes, it’s still a major factor that dictates the prices of mid-range and high-end graphics cards.
The market has stabilized a lot since COVID-19, but watching crypto trading will be in your best interest before you build your PC. Usually, mining demands are lower when the difficulty of crypto mining is readjusted. Moreover, because Bitcoin and other mining currencies have been dropping lately, mining demands have dwindled, leading to more GPU discounts than before.
Therefore, right now might be a decent time to review the offerings if you want to purchase a new GPU. If you can’t decide what to build onto, glance over our PC builds for all price ranges. You can also fill out a short form, and we will email you the best upgrade suited to your budget.
Is It Always Worth Waiting For The Next Big Thing?
Almost every PC builder faces this question: “Should I wait for the next release or go with what I have available now?” I’ve also had these moments, but you can always follow leaks and decide based on online perception of future product releases. There’s always something around the corner, so even though it’s tempting to wait, you should purchase what gives you the most value.
In conclusion, our question stands: “When should you build your next gaming PC?” As I stated earlier, nothing is written in stone. Wait for prices to drop the most they can and follow websites like PCPartPicker and YOLO for your build. Remember, there’s no perfect time to build — just a time that’s perfect for you. If you have done your research and are confident in your PC parts, that’s good enough to build your next PC.
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[Reviews Specialist]
Usman Saleem brings 8+ years of comprehensive PC hardware expertise to the table. His journey in the tech world has involved in-depth tech analysis and insightful PC hardware reviews, perfecting over 6+ years of dedicated work. Usman’s commitment to staying authentic and relevant in the field is underscored by many professional certifications, including a recent one in Google IT Support Specialization.
- 8+ years of specialized PC hardware coverage
- 6+ years of in-depth PC hardware analysis and reviews
- Lead PC hardware expert across multiple tech journalism platforms
- Certified in Google IT Support Specialization
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