Why Graphics Card Prices Could Rise by Around £10 Per GB of VRAM in Late 2026
If you've been thinking about upgrading your gaming PC, now might be the right time to buy. Industry trends suggest graphics card prices could increase over the coming months, with some analysts estimating that many new GPUs may cost around £10 more per gigabyte of VRAM than today's equivalent models.
While no one can predict prices with complete certainty, several factors are putting upward pressure on the GPU market.
Why Are GPU Prices Increasing?
AI Demand Continues to Dominate
The biggest reason is the continued growth of artificial intelligence. GPU manufacturers such as NVIDIA and AMD are producing vast numbers of chips for AI data centres, reducing the amount of manufacturing capacity available for consumer gaming graphics cards.
This increased competition for production capacity often results in higher prices for gamers.
Rising Manufacturing Costs
Modern graphics cards are becoming increasingly expensive to manufacture.
Several factors are contributing, including:
- More advanced manufacturing processes
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Larger, more complex GPU dies
- Increased cooling requirements
- Higher component and logistics costs
These expenses are typically passed on to retailers and ultimately to consumers.
What Does "£10 Per GB" Mean?
If market pricing follows current expectations, the increase could look something like this:
| VRAM | Potential Additional Cost |
|---|---|
| 8GB | Around £80 |
| 12GB | Around £120 |
| 16GB | Around £160 |
| 24GB | Around £240 |
These figures are illustrative rather than guaranteed, but they highlight how even modest increases per gigabyte of VRAM can significantly affect the final retail price of higher-end graphics cards.
Could Tariffs Make Things Worse?
Import tariffs and ongoing global trade tensions remain another source of uncertainty. Additional duties on electronics or graphics card components can raise prices further, particularly for products imported into Europe and the UK supply chain.
Should You Buy Now?
If you're planning to build or upgrade a gaming PC before Christmas, buying sooner rather than later could save money if prices continue to rise.
Current-generation graphics cards still offer excellent value, especially for gamers targeting:
- High-refresh-rate 1080p gaming
- Smooth 1440p performance
- Entry-level 4K gaming
- Content creation and streaming
Waiting for future GPU launches may not always lead to lower prices, particularly if demand remains strong.
Our Advice
At Apex PCs, we're continuing to monitor graphics card pricing closely. We work hard to secure stock at competitive prices so our customers get the best possible value before further increases affect the market.
If you're considering a new gaming PC, now could be one of the best opportunities to lock in today's pricing before potential cost increases arrive.
Disclaimer: Graphics card pricing depends on market conditions, supply, manufacturing costs, currency exchange rates and retailer pricing. The figures discussed in this article represent a market outlook rather than a guaranteed future price increase.