Will computer hardware soon become even more expensive? At least that suggests Facebook post des Technical Product Marketing Managers bei Asus Juan Jose Guerrero III an.
Accordingly, Asus will increase the non-binding recommended prices for graphics cards and mainboards at the beginning of the year. Specifically, an update regarding the RRP pricing for Asus components in 2021 states:
“We have an announcement regarding MSRP pricing changes [UVP-Preise]that will be effective for our award-winning series of graphics cards and motherboards from early 2021. Our new MSRP reflects increases in component costs, operating costs and logistical activities plus continuation of import duties.
We have worked closely with our delivery and logistics partners to minimize price increases. ASUS values your continued work and support as we navigate this time of unprecedented market change. ”
In addition, other products could experience price increases as the first quarter progresses, Guerrero said.
Hardware guide on GameStar-Plus: If prices are already rising, do you want to save at least a little electricity? In our GameStar Plus Guide we show you how to optimally set up your RTX graphics card:
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What are the reasons for the price increase?
Unsurprisingly, the main reason is likely to be the corona pandemic. This had led to a week-long standstill of the assembly lines in the spring of 2020. We see the consequences, among other things, with a view to the availability of the new graphics cards from Nvidia and AMD:
Both the Geforces RTX 3090, RTX 3080, RTX 3070, RTX 3060 Ti, as well as the Radeons RX 6900 XT, RX 6800 XT and RX 6800 are still as good as not available or only at prices well above the RRP of the Founders Editions or reference designs . Only the new Ryzen processors are in stock – apart from the Ryzen 9 5900X.
What does the price increase mean for other manufacturers?
There are still no comparable announcements from other manufacturers. Asus’ move could soon serve as an example for the industry. Price increases without official announcements are of course also conceivable.
At the same time, especially with a view to the new components such as Nvidia’s RTX-3000 models or AMD’s RX-6000 series, the question arises to what extent changes in the EIA will actually play a role in practice. After all, this hardware is currently only much more expensive anyway.
In our GameStar Talk, you can find out what the duel between the RTX 3000 and RX 6000 looks like in terms of performance:
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AMD versus Nvidia – That’s how strong the Radeon RX 6800 XT is compared to the RTX 3080
