The Motherboard Market is Facing an Unprecedented Crisis
The motherboard market is currently experiencing severe problems, with sales plummeting due to a shortage of core chips. This is partly due to the AI boom that has absorbed all the high-end chips, causing gaming and workstation board prices to skyrocket.
Previously, Z790 or X670E boards were easy to find, but now you have to wait months in queue, and prices have increased by nearly 30% from normal. Many users have postponed their CPU upgrades for now.
I believe this problem will persist for another year because factories are still focusing on producing AI chips rather than chips for the general market. Those planning to build new systems should prepare extra budget or stick with their old hardware for now.
Market Situation Illustration
The image above reflects the real situation. Sales have declined not because people don’t want to upgrade, but because products are unavailable. Many stores only have old models in stock, while new versions must be pre-ordered.
Major distributors also receive limited allocations and must carefully distribute to retailers. The result is soaring retail prices, and consumers must either wait or pay extra.
I believe this situation will impact the entire ecosystem, from system builders to people who want new PCs but are stuck with budget and product availability issues.
When You Have to Wait Weeks to Find a Single Motherboard
Last week I tried to find a Z790 chipset board for a customer. I ended up calling 5-6 stores and got the same answer everywhere: “Out of stock, don’t know when it’ll arrive.” One store said I’d need to pre-order and wait 2-3 weeks.
A PC shop owner I know told me they now have to compete with big stores for allocation, even for ordinary mid-range boards. Many customers have to switch to other brands or pay extra for models in stock.
I think this situation shows that the motherboard market is more fragile than we thought. When the AI boom affects the entire supply chain, even PC gamers get hit.
How Modern Motherboards Differ from the Past
Previously, motherboards were just secondary components that most people didn’t pay much attention to, chosen based on leftover budget after buying CPU and graphics cards. But now motherboards have become scarce commodities with soaring prices.
Currently, motherboard production is tied to demands from AI datacenters and crypto mining that use hundreds of boards in a single project, unlike before when the main market was consumer PCs.
I think the role of motherboards has changed from supplementary equipment to rare, expensive products, meaning people need to seriously plan their motherboard budget, not just buy with whatever’s left over.
Comparison of Old vs New Motherboard Models
| Factor | Old Models (2022-2023) | New Models (2024-2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $75-200 | $200-375 |
| PCIe Slots | PCIe 4.0 x16 (2 slots) | PCIe 5.0 x16 (4+ slots) |
| RAM Support | DDR4-3200 (128GB) | DDR5-5600 (256GB) |
| Availability | Easy to find, plenty stock | Hard to find, long wait |
| Target Market | Gaming, Workstation | AI/Mining + High-end |
The data clearly shows that new motherboard models cost nearly double, but offer significantly better specs, especially PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support that are essential for new flagship GPUs.
I think if your budget doesn’t stretch, buying an old model still works well, but if you’re upgrading to flagship GPUs or doing serious AI work, you need the new models.
Key Features That Impact Real-World Usage
PCIe 5.0 is a standout feature that’s essential for anyone installing new GPUs. Data transfer speeds are nearly twice as fast as PCIe 4.0, directly affecting texture loading in games or processing large AI models.
DDR5 support and new VRM help CPUs perform at full potential, especially during video rendering or code compilation that requires lots of RAM. Better cooling reduces throttling.
Wi-Fi 7 and multiple USB 4.0 ports help with external device connectivity, perfect for people who need external storage or multiple monitors.
I think these three features are the main selling points that make upgrades worthwhile if you’re a heavy user.
Comparison with Market Competitors
| Factor | ASUS ROG Strix Z790-E | MSI MAG Z790 Tomahawk | Gigabyte Z790 Aorus Elite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $398 | $223 | $180 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| USB 4.0 ports | 2 ports | 1 port | 1 port |
| DDR5 support | DDR5-7200 | DDR5-6400 | DDR5-5600 |
| PCIe slots | 4x PCIe 5.0 | 3x PCIe 5.0 | 3x PCIe 4.0 |
During the motherboard shortage, ASUS remains the premium choice but costs nearly double compared to competitors. MSI Tomahawk offers the best value in this group.
Gigabyte is an option for budget-conscious buyers, but you’ll have to sacrifice Wi-Fi 7 and DDR5 speed.
I think if you’re looking for motherboards during this period, MSI Tomahawk offers the best balance between price and features.
Pros and Cons of the Current Situation
Pros
- +Old motherboard prices have dropped significantly as sellers want to clear inventory
- +Can choose from flagship models that were previously over budget
- +Competitors are competing to lower prices to sell remaining stock
Cons
- −New models are extremely rare, 3-4 times harder to find than before
- −New model prices have surged due to low supply
- −Must wait months if you want the latest models
To be honest, if you’re not in a hurry to change motherboards, don’t rush now because the situation is still unstable. Those who can still use their old hardware should wait another 6 months.
I think this period is good for people who want to upgrade from very old motherboards because you can get good deals much cheaper than usual.
Hidden Costs
Besides motherboard prices, there are many hidden costs. Shipping has increased by nearly 30% because items need express delivery from overseas, and warranty costs have risen due to high risk.
Installation and professional setup costs another $50-100. If you buy a high-end motherboard, technicians will recommend changing the power supply too, adding another $75-200.
I think budgets now need to account for about 40-50% extra above the main price because all related items have surged in price, and sometimes you need to buy bundles to get products.
Who Should Buy and Who Shouldn’t
Made for
- People whose motherboards are broken or need urgent replacement — no choice
- Gamers with 40-50% extra budget who are ready to buy bundles
Think twice
- People whose old hardware still works — might wait until prices normalize
Skip this one
- Budget-conscious people thinking of upgrading — try pre-built PCs instead
The current situation has severe motherboard shortages with prices surging non-stop. Those whose old hardware still works should wait, because installation costs and accessories are also expensive.
I think if you really need to buy, prepare your full budget. Don’t expect old prices because now you need to buy bundles to get products, and you need to budget for a new power supply too.
Conclusion and Future Trends
The motherboard market situation is currently broken in ways never seen before, with both shortages and price surges because the AI boom has absorbed all production resources. Manufacturers have shifted to making chips for data centers rather than consumer markets.
Next year’s trends probably won’t improve because AI infrastructure demand continues to grow. Prices might increase another 20-30% from now.
I think those who don’t necessarily need to upgrade should wait until late 2025 when factories start increasing production capacity. Those who must buy now should definitely prepare to pay premium prices and only buy from trusted stores because there are many counterfeit products.