Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are the foundation of every PC component, as they mount everything and connect the entire system using electrical components, wiring, and more. However, we are about to enter another phase of consumer electronics price hikes, as these PCBs are now experiencing severe component shortages projected to last until 2030. According to Nikkei Asia, an unnamed executive from an American PC maker told the publication that PCB manufacturers are confirming this situation, with some predicting that orders placed today may not be fulfilled until late 2028.
Even though PC shipments could decline again next year, we are still struggling to secure enough PCB supplies to meet our needs. Currently, ordering some PCB designs can take 30 months to fulfill, so PC makers are about to face new challenges in managing the supply chain. AI servers are being blamed, as they require multiple layers of PCB material, large amounts of copper, and the specialized fiberglass used in PCB construction. NVIDIA recently initiated several partnerships with major chip substrate makers, which produce small PCBs that silicon dies are mounted on. Since PCB manufacturers have been caught up in the AI buildout phase, some Taiwanese PC makers note that the price of copper-clad laminates (CCLs) used in PCB construction has increased 12 times since July of this year. The combination of AI server demand consuming all the PCB manufacturing capacity and rising material costs will lead to another round of price hikes across the PC ecosystem.
Source: TechPowerUp News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing