1. Desktop CPU sales have hit a record low, largely due to increased component prices discouraging upgrades.
2. AMD maintains a dominant market share (~89%) in CPU sales, despite overall declining sales, while Intel’s newer releases have limited impact.
3. Consumers continue purchasing older, more affordable CPUs like the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500, often paired with cheaper DDR4 RAM.
4. The overall DIY PC market is experiencing significant downturn, reflected in the lowest CPU sales volume and declining GPU sales.
Market Trends in the DIY PC Segment
Currently, the self-assembled PC market is facing quite some challenges, as the rising prices of parts have made many buyers think twice before purchasing. According to data from a German retailer, Mindfactory, during week 13 of 2026, the sales of desktop CPUs has reached an all-time low, reflecting the shrinking demand.
Consumer Behavior & Price Impact
People are not willing to upgrade their computers anymore, especially since the prices for CPUs, similar to GPUs and RAM, have been climbing lately. This means that users who would’ve usually swapped out for newer faster parts, along with better memory, are now hesitant and might just hang on to their current setups longer.
AMD’s Market Share and New Releases
Looking at the sales data, AMD still holds a significant chunk of the CPU market with about 89.09% of units sold in that period, leaving Intel far behind at 10.91%. Intel recently introduced the Core Ultra 200S Plus Arrow Lake Refresh series, which are quite promising. For example, the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus, priced at around $200, offers excellent performance both for gaming and everyday use.
Future Prospects and Market Outlook
It will be quite intriguing to see if Intel’s new affordable CPUs, like the Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and Core Ultra 9 270K Plus, can change the market dynamics in the next few weeks. Meanwhile, retail prices for RAM have been dropping, which may encourage some buyers to consider upgrading again.
Longer Lifespan for Older CPUs
Despite the slowing down of newer AMD processors, many consumers continue to purchase older models, such as the Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500. These are much cheaper than the latest Zen 5 chips and are compatible with less costly DDR4 memory, making them attractive choices for budget builds.
Intel’s Popular Options & Market Composition
During week 13, Intel’s top-selling CPU was the Core Ultra 7 265K, with only 10 units sold. The “KF” version, initially costing about $380, is now accessible at around $249. This is the only Arrow Lake processor listed; most other Intel sales are from older 12th-gen Core i5 and i3 models, plus some of the newer 14th-gen Core i5, i7, and i9 SKUs.
Overall Market Status
In summary, AMD maintains a strong hold on CPU sales through platforms like Mindfactory, but the overall number of CPUs sold is at an unprecedented low. This trend aligns with decreasing GPU sales, highlighting how difficult the DIY PC market is currently, affecting both major players and consumers alike.
