By the FlowUP team, gaming PC builder in Genappe (Belgium) · Updated 29 September 2026
In brief: the best time to buy a gaming PC is when you need one, ideally during a promotion period: Prime Big Deal Days on 6 and 7 October 2026, Black Friday on 27 November 2026, and then the winter sales starting early January 2027. Waiting for a general price drop is a risky bet: RAM and SSDs have surged since the end of 2025, and memory makers are announcing a shortage that will carry on into 2027. As for new releases, no new graphics card generation has been announced for 2026.
The short answer: don’t wait for the perfect moment
“Do I have to wait?” is the question everyone asks before a major purchase. In hardware, there’s always a new generation on the horizon and there’s always a rumour of falling prices. The person who waits for the perfect moment rarely gets to play.
The right approach comes down to three points: buy when your current PC no longer keeps up (or when you don’t have one), aim for a promotion period if one is coming up in the next few weeks, and above all choose a balanced configuration rather than chasing after the latest graphics card that just came out.
A PC you can use right away is better than a perfect one you’re still waiting for.
Why waiting for a price drop is risky in 2026
Since the end of 2025, memory has been the component that shifts all prices. Manufacturers (Samsung, SK hynix, Micron) are dedicating an increasing share of their factories to HBM memory for AI accelerators, and PC DRAM as well as NAND for SSDs end up in shortage.
The figures are dramatic. According to Tom’s Hardware, a 32 GB Corsair DDR5-6000 kit was selling for $400 at the end of August 2026 in the United States, compared with a low point of $80. And SK hynix’s CEO warned in July 2026 that 2027 would be “the worst year” in terms of supply, with a shortage that could last until 2030.
Memory, both DRAM and NAND, is the component that has pushed prices higher since the end of 2025.
| Quarter | DRAM (contract price) | NAND (contract price) |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2026 | +90 to +95% | +55 to +60% |
| Q2 2026 | +58 to +63% | +70 to +75% |
| Q3 2026 | +13 to +18% | +10 to +15% |
| Q4 2026 (forecast) | Upward | +15 to +20% |
Source: TrendForce, contract price forecasts quarter to quarter (February, March, July and September 2026).
In other words, the increase is slowing down but not reversing. Graphics cards are starting to be affected too: according to PC Gamer (July 2026), NVIDIA would be raising the price of GPU and memory kits sold to graphics card manufacturers. For the details on graphics cards, read which GPU to buy in 2026 despite rising prices, and for RAM 16 or 32 GB of RAM in 2026.
Salut Les Noobs explains very clearly why the price of RAM exploded, and why it wasn’t over yet:
Salut Les Noobs, “Why is the price of RAM exploding? (and it’s not over!)” (November 2025).
Should you wait for new graphics cards and processors?
Here’s what is really planned, separating what’s official from rumours, as of 29 September 2026:
| Product | Official status | What we know |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA RTX 50 Super | Never announced | Pushed back with no date, according to industry sources (rumour) |
| NVIDIA RTX 60 | Nothing official | Between 2027 and 2028 according to leakers |
| AMD Zen 6 (desktop Ryzen) | Compatible with AM5 (confirmed by AMD) | Expected launch in 2027 (rumour) |
| New-generation AMD Radeon | Nothing official | Mid-2027, according to a single source (rumour) |
| Intel Nova Lake (Core Ultra 400) | Announced by Intel for the end of 2026 | First desktop CPUs in Q1 2027, LGA1954 socket (leak) |
Sources: Intel (earnings conference, January 2026), AMD, Tom’s Hardware, PC Gamer, TweakTown (2026).
Our take: no new graphics card generation will arrive in 2026, and when they do arrive, they’ll first be high-end, expensive models built using the same memory that’s missing today. For a gaming PC, waiting until 2027 means betting on a price drop that nothing suggests. The only case where waiting makes sense: if you’re specifically targeting the future Intel platform, or if your current PC can still last a year without any problems.
The promotions calendar 2026-2027
| Event | Dates | To note |
|---|---|---|
| Prime Big Deal Days (Amazon) | 6 and 7 October 2026 | France and Belgium |
| Black Friday | Friday 27 November 2026 | Promotions often spread over several weeks |
| Cyber Monday | Monday 30 November 2026 | |
| Winter sales in France | From Wednesday 6 January to Tuesday 2 February 2027 | Rule: 2nd Wednesday of January, moved to 1st Wednesday |
| Winter sales in Belgium | From Saturday 2 January 2027 | 3 January falls on a Sunday; reform under discussion |
Sources: Amazon (September 2026), Service-Public.fr, SPF Economy, Yahoo Shopping (September 2026).
Good to know for Belgium: the “waiting period” in December, during which discount announcements are prohibited, only applies to clothing, leather goods and shoes. PCs and electronics can be on promotion in December. And across the European Union, a discount that’s announced must be calculated based on the lowest price charged in the previous 30 days: watch out for “-40%” deals calculated on an inflated price from the day before.
Our tips for buying well, whatever the time
- Start with your games and your screen: 1080p, 1440p or 4K, 60 or 240 Hz. That’s what determines the graphics card, not the date.
- Check the balance of the setup: a powerful GPU with a weak processor, or 16 GB of RAM on a high-end machine, that’s money poorly spent.
- Think in terms of the platform: AM5 will still welcome the Ryzen Zen 6, worth considering if you plan to upgrade later.
- Compare the price history during promotions, not just the percentage shown.
- Look at the warranty and after-sales service as much as the price.
A balanced build ages better than a setup bought at “the right time”.
To choose the right setup for your budget, follow our guide Best gaming PC in 2026 for your budget. And if you’re wondering whether to upgrade your current machine, read upgrade or buy a new gaming PC.
Gaming PCs available right away
These three configurations were in stock on 29 September 2026:
Spike PC, Radeon RX 9060 XT
Ryzen 7 5700X, Radeon RX 9060 XT and 16 GB of DDR4: a balanced setup for gaming in 1080p with high settings.
Rift PC, Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB, Ryzen 5 7500F and 16 GB of DDR5: an AM5 base for 1080p and 1440p.
PC Novara GeForce RTX 5070 12GB
Ryzen 5 7500X3D, RTX 5070 12GB, 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a 1 TB M.2 SSD: an out-of-the-box gaming-ready setup.
FAQ: when should you buy a gaming PC?
Which is the best month to buy a gaming PC?
November, with Black Friday (27 November 2026), and January, with the winter sales, have the most promotions. October’s Prime Big Deal Days are another opportunity.
Will PC prices drop in 2027?
Nothing suggests it. TrendForce expects further memory price increases toward the end of 2026, and SK hynix says 2027 will be a difficult year in terms of supply.
Should you wait for the RTX 50 Super or the RTX 60?
The RTX 50 Super have never been announced and would be delayed without a set date. The RTX 60 aren’t expected before 2027 at the earliest. If you want to play now, the current lineup is the right one.
Why has the price of RAM increased so much?
Because memory manufacturers are directing their production towards HBM for AI servers, which is more profitable. Consumer DRAM and NAND have been in short supply since the end of 2025.
Is Black Friday really worth it for a gaming PC?
Yes, if you compare the promotional price to the history of the previous weeks. In the European Union, an announced discount must be calculated based on the lowest price in the last 30 days.
Sources
- TrendForce, DRAM and NAND forecasts for Q3 2026 (July 2026)
- TrendForce, Q1 2026 forecasts (February 2026)
- Tom's Hardware, 32 GB of DDR5-6000 at $400 (August 2026)
- Tom's Hardware, SK hynix and the 2027 memory shortage (July 2026)
- PC Gamer, NVIDIA GPU kit price increases (July 2026)
- Tom's Hardware, Nova Lake schedule (September 2026)
- Amazon, Prime Big Deal Days 2026
- Service-Public.fr, sale dates
- FPS Economy, FAQ sales and waiting period
- Salut Les Noobs, Why the price of RAM is skyrocketing (YouTube)
