If you are in need of a new graphics card, you may end up being quite disappointed with the prices of the product available on the market. Many may wonder why the majority of cards are super expensive. That is why, today, we will do our best to explain this phenomenon. After reading our entire article, you will know the reasons for these high prices. Additionally, we will provide you with a few simple tips and tricks that may come in handy in case you need to find a more affordable graphics card option.
Why Are Graphics Cards’ Prices So High Right Now?
The first reason for this is that many people have started working from home recently. That had an obvious effect as businesses had to adapt to the situation. This fact itself means that more people will look for graphics cards and hardware in general. When there is a high demand for something, the price goes up.
However, that was not always the case. We must keep in mind that today’s graphics cards are far superior to their ancestors. The materials are different and of higher quality, which leads to increased costs. Companies need skilled individuals to be competitive in the market and to create good products, which means that a lot of investment has to be made. Therefore, the end-user would have to pay more for the final result.
It is not a secret that, right now, the demand is higher than the supply. Another reason worth mentioning is crypto mining. Crypto mining requires an immaculate video card. Some people have whole rooms dedicated to mining. That is most likely one of the biggest reasons why prices went up so much in the last couple of years. People invest in video cards so that they can use them to make money from crypto.
Nowadays, there are people who earn money from playing computer games. This form of entertainment needs top-notch graphics cards and electronics. As many of you probably know, there are whole teams who play electronic sports. We can see that the world is advancing technologically, which is one of the main reasons for the high prices of these products.
How to Find More Affordable Graphics Cards If You’re On A Budget
When the prices are so high, there are many people who would look for any possible discounts or some sort of alternative. A few examples would be investing in a console rather than a PC, in case you are looking for gaming hardware. In the next part of this article, we will cover a few ways to ensure you get a graphics card cheaper than it usually is. But first, make sure you follow big streamers on the following platforms:
- Twitch
- YouTube
Of course, Twitch is the most popular game streaming platform, so we highly recommend it. People with a lot of subscribers usually provide promo codes that can be quite useful, as they are often related to hardware. If you have a favorite streamer, we are sure that you will be able to get a promo code eventually.
Additionally, many websites offer exclusive deals or discounts for a certain period of time. We highly recommend you check such hardware websites occasionally for any available offers. You would be surprised at the number of discounts you can get. If you are not looking for a high-end graphics card, you will surely be able to grab something for a better price than it usually costs.
Should We Expect A Drop in Prices Any Time Soon?
The truth is that no one could really provide a definitive answer to that question. Our world is changing extremely fast, and sometimes many factors come into play, which may change the prices for the better or worse. Prices are currently less than they were one year ago, and we truly hope this trend will continue so everyone can get their hands on their desired product.
Another factor that may lead to a price drop is the release of new cards. When a new card launch is announced, most of the time, the older models become cheaper. Unless you are looking for the latest graphics card – then you will probably be a bit disappointed to find out that its price is still the same or slightly lower.
Right now, the rate of decrease has slowed down, so it is hard to say if the prices will stay as they are or if they will continue dropping. That is why, if you’re currently looking for an upgrade, it is a good idea to follow hardware websites or popular streamers. This way, you will be up to date with the current prices, and you will be able to easily monitor what’s currently going on with the market. Plus, weekly and monthly promos are quite common for many well-known hardware online stores.