The PC {hardware} hunch is actual. So is the rationale to maintain caring
Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- PCWorld studies a big decline in PC {hardware} gross sales, with main motherboard distributors like Asus and ASRock experiencing drops as much as 37% in gross sales projections.
- Regardless of present market challenges, future improvements like PCIe 8.0 specification and AMD’s FSR 4 assist for older graphics playing cards counsel continued technological development.
- The evaluation questions whether or not declining gross sales point out long-term decreased curiosity in PC constructing or momentary market circumstances affecting the business.
Is PC constructing cooked? The {hardware} information as of late would possibly make you assume so, what with the newest headlines about “collapsing” motherboard gross sales—as a lot as 37 % for particular person distributors.
A Digitimes report (h/t Tom’s {Hardware}) paints a grim image. Among the many largest 4 Taiwanese corporations hawking mainboards—Asus, Gigabyte, ASRock, and MSI—all have seen steep drops in gross sales in comparison with 2025. Asus shipped 15 million mobos in 2025, however has solely 5 million in 2026 up to now. All 4 corporations have revised their projections for this 12 months, with ASRock dealing with as a lot as a 37 % decline, Asus round 33 %, and Gigabyte and MSI simply shy of 25 %.
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However is that this a mirrored image of a considerable lower in PC constructing? Maybe one which bodes in poor health for the long run? On this week’s present, The Full Nerd crew and I dug into that thought, each from the attitude of what stunned us and what we count on for the long run. Frankly, I wouldn’t have been stunned if the numbers have been a full 50 to 60 % decrease, given the ache of reminiscence and SSD costs proper now. Maybe partly as a result of it’s not the information that’s lingered on my thoughts this previous week. An announcement that my colleagues didn’t even remark a lot on: the newest draft of the PCIe 8.0 specification, which is slated for a full launch in 2028.
In equity, discussing a specification makes extra sense when it seems in precise {hardware} (e.g., a graphics card…or perhaps a new motherboard). And in higher instances, my thoughts seemingly wouldn’t lock in on an incremental milestone, particularly since nothing’s set in stone but. I like wanting over these numbers, although:
- 256GT/s uncooked bitrate, with as much as 1TB bidirectionally over x16
- Potential new connector assist
- Bandwidth upgrades by means of protocol enhancements
- Discount of energy consumption
When will we see PCIe 8 in a motherboard? I’m not interested by that simply but.
Jon Martindale / Foundry
As a result of because it stands presently, I may chew my fingers nervously, anticipating a partial collapse of PC constructing. Or I may additionally take into accout the silver linings residing inside the forecasts of the long run.
So certain, the PCI-SIG consortium has explicitly acknowledged that this development will support use instances like information facilities and AI, in addition to quantum computing. That will not relate to DIY PC constructing, however when have we lovers ever adopted expertise’s development just for what’s going to land in our palms instantly? I certain haven’t—although typically it means an excruciating wait that by no means pans out. (I’m glad OLED didn’t prove that means, even when it took 15 years to lastly change into an reasonably priced client choice.)
I need smaller, quicker, cooler, and extra environment friendly {hardware} to stay up for, even when I don’t instantly profit; the thought is lifting my spirits throughout these complicated and chaotic instances. I’d love for extra fanatic conversations to incorporate these tiny sparks of sunshine and hope, the place we geek out about expertise only for sheer love of it.
Don’t get me improper—utility to every day life issues. However you already know, even when I’ll by no means be an astronaut, it’s particular to observe an area shuttle launch. No less than, that is what I inform myself, in order that it’s extra bearable after I get itchy to construct a brand new PC and know that it’s simply not within the playing cards proper now.
On this episode of The Full Nerd
On this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Brad Chacos, Alaina Yee, and Will Smith focus on the decline in motherboard gross sales, our hopes for Steam Controller equipment, and ideas on desk setups. I anticipated feisty takes on Lian Li’s new wooden sit-stand desks (which additionally double as a dual-PC chassis), however the tone was surprisingly live-and-let-live…irrespective of your desk setup.
(Mine is presently a mixture of a number of PCs squeezed round my screens. Is it messy? Maybe. However I’ve left my flooring PC days behind me and I’m not wanting again.)
PCWorld
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This week’s sprinkle of nerd information
FSR 4 will quickly come to older Radeon graphics playing cards.
AMD
Regardless of a quiet stretch, a few nice surprises rose to the floor—like AMD’s plans to launch FSR 4 for older Radeon graphics playing cards. A brand new GPU may very well be on the horizon, too.
Much less nice, although? An exploit that neuters BitLocker safety in Home windows 11, amongst different issues.
- Hooray: Don’t love the wait, however do like that AMD will assist FSR 4 on Radeon 6000 and 7000 sequence playing cards. (As you would possibly guess, the older your card is, the longer the wait.)
- No extra flop: I didn’t know triangular zippers have been an issue to resolve. Now I do. (And that 3D printing has apparently taken care of the difficulty.)
- Examine their work: Many medical doctors’ places of work now use AI to assist with transcription. Looks like we’d all be sensible to verify over the notes after the actual fact, to ensure they’re correct.
- Uh oh: Web archive websites just like the Wayback Machine are having larger issue preserving the web, on account of elevated costs on storage and measures taken to dam AI scraping.
Adam Patrick Murray / Foundry
- A brand new GPU? On this economic system, it appears like our greatest hopes for a graphics card launch can be within the type of a funds card from AMD. We at all times needed the funds finish to get fleshed out, however in some way this feels unhealthy.
- Yikes: A safety researcher found a workaround for BitLocker in Home windows 11. A lot for “Home windows 11 is probably the most safe Home windows ever constructed.”
- One other wrinkle: Drama round reminiscence manufacturing simply shot larger, with Samsung’s workers threatening to strike over their share of the corporate’s huge income.
- Respect: Seems, Neanderthals had a contemporary method to dentistry…with out trendy interventions like lidocaine. (Ouch.)
Talking of milestones—we’ve now reached one full 12 months of this text! (Woot.) Additionally, to not be outdone, The Full Nerd present will hit episode 400 on the finish of this month. I’m biding my time to see what throwbacks will fluster Adam as soon as extra.
: )
Catch you all subsequent week!
Alaina
This article is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and govt editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.
