MSI calls 2026 'most challenging year' as it raises prices up to 30%

MSI warned that 2026 will be its most challenging year and plans to raise prices on gaming hardware by 15 to 30 percent over nine months, the company’s general manager Huang Jinqing told investors. The increases are expected to hit lower-end, more affordable gaming products as MSI cuts back on producing cheaper components and shifts resources to mid-range and high-end GPUs.

Huang attributed the moves to ongoing DRAM shortages, AI hyperscalers buying up memory, and a thin supply of Nvidia GPU components. Customers, he said, are already showing a willingness to pay more, and MSI’s approach is to charge more and sell fewer units to offset reduced production and shipments in 2026.

A 16GB DRAM module that cost $40 last year now runs $170 or more, Huang said. MSI holds roughly two months of memory inventory and is seeking multiyear contracts to avoid paying elevated prices; the company also projects the PC market will contract by 10 to 20 percent because of these supply issues.

msi, huang jinqing, gaming hardware, price hikes, 15-30%, dram shortages, nvidia gpus, ai hyperscalers, memory prices, multiyear contracts