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Since the early 1990s, I've been a devoted PC gamer, and throughout three decades of gaming, I've never harbored regret for my choice. While PCs may be pricey, complex, and occasionally frustrating, they've consistently delivered unparalleled graphics, audio, and upgradeability compared to consoles. The platform's openness allowed me to access games from various sources, keep costs down, and enjoy niche indie titles.

Now, in 2026, I possess the most powerful gaming hardware around, yet I find myself disheartened by the current state of PC gaming.

Prices for graphics cards, SSDs, and RAM have skyrocketed, making PC gaming increasingly inaccessible. According to PCPartPicker, 16GB DDR5 memory's price surged from $150 to over $600 within 18 months, while 64GB went from $250 to over $1,250. Even DDR4 prices have risen from $50 to $170 in the same period. These exorbitant costs have driven many potential PC gamers away, and the escalating development costs have led to the closure of notable gaming companies, such as BioWare. The blame for this predicament, I now believe, lies squarely on artificial intelligence (AI).

The AI gold rush has triggered an unprecedented demand for data centers and memory, pushing component prices to record highs. PC gamers, like myself, have watched this crisis unfold with growing concern. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, one of the primary contributors to the RAMpocalypse, expressed his frustration on the Cheeky Pint podcast, accusing PC gamers of greed for wanting more RAM for their rigs.

This misguided statement resonated with many, and Elon Musk, despite his questionable character, provided begrudging support for the cause, further exacerbating the mood. While I remain skeptical of Musk's intentions, his unexpected endorsement serves as a stark reminder of the severity of the situation, leaving me determined to persevere in my love for PC gaming.