If you have plans to build your own computer in the near future, you may need to put them on hold. Unfortunately, some of the parts necessary to make a custom computer have been in short supply for the better part of the past year. This is especially true when it comes to graphics processing units (GPUs), also commonly known as graphics cards.
So, what’s behind this GPU shortage, and how long will it be before you can expect to find them on the market again? We’re discussing everything you need to know below:
Why Is There a GPU Shortage?
You’ve probably heard that Coronavirus (COVID-19) is the reason behind the global GPU shortage – but that’s only partially true. While it’s easy to blame the pandemic for most of the world’s problems today, the reality is that GPU shortages were becoming a problem years before it hit. A lot of this was due to the increased popularity of cryptocurrency and the powerful computers needed to mine it.
From there, COVID-19 only made the situation worse. First, as more people began working from home, there was an increased demand for new computers and computer parts. To make matters worse, the production of GPUs and other computer components slowed due to the closure of several global manufacturing plants.
With the GPU shortage in full swing, scalpers further worsened the situation by buying up as many graphics cards and in-demand parts as they could. They then began listing them for sale at a considerable markup while clearing out any limited supply that may have existed.
The Impact on the Computing Industry
As you could probably guess, the GPU shortage has had a significant impact not just on the computing industry but also across many other industries that rely on computer chips. You may have noticed, for example, that car dealerships have a limited supply of new vehicles; this is partly because auto manufacturers are unable to produce cars without the chips their onboard computers rely on.
Across the computing industry, there remains a high demand for GPUs and other products – but there simply aren’t enough parts to go around. As a result of the GPU shortage, computing companies have had no choice but to limit their inventory. Dedicated servers and other hosting companies that rely on computer chips have also suffered as a result of this GPU crisis.
What Does the Future Hold?
Only time will tell when things might begin to turn around for the computing industry. In February 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order designed to help United States companies start manufacturing their own computer chips. If this is successful, there will be far less reliance on foreign GPU manufacturers. However, it could take years for this to occur.
In the meantime, popular chip manufacturers, such as Nvidia and AMD, are making every effort to step up their production. Hopefully, by the end of 2021, computer parts like GPUs will be easier to come by without heavily inflated prices. In the meantime, though, you’ll probably need to hold off on building your dream gaming PC until this wave passes. You can still turn to a dedicated server, however, for your gaming and other needs. Contact ReliableSite to find out more!