Tag: DIY PC market

  • Intel CPU Sales Decline Shocker: Despite Signs of Life, Major Slump at Mindfactory

    Intel CPU Sales Decline Shocker: Despite Signs of Life, Major Slump at Mindfactory

    Key Takeaway

    1. CPU sales experienced a significant decline in weeks 14 and 15 of 2026, with the lowest sales recorded in ten years.
    2. AMD dominated the market sales with over 90% of revenue, led primarily by AMD Zen 5 and Zen 4 CPUs.
    3. Demand for Intel CPUs has shown slight improvement, likely due to expanded offerings of the Core Ultra 200 series.
    4. Upcoming CPU refreshes from Intel, including the Raptor Lake Refresh and Nova Lake, may help Intel’s market recovery in 2027.
    5. The overall DIY PC market is struggling, partly due to high prices for DRAM and storage, impacting consumer purchasing power.

    Recent Trends in CPU Sales

    Back in late March, we saw that the CPU decks were pretty empty in the German retailer Mindfactory. According to TechEpiphany’s data, week 13 of 2026 marked the lowest point ever for CPU sales. Unfortunately, this downward trend hasn’t gotten better, with weeks 14 and 15 showing even sharper declines, far beyond anything they’ve tracked before in their 10-year history.

    Sales Distribution and Revenue

    During these weeks, the shop sold about 860 AMD Ryzen CPUs, averaging €390, while only 140 Intel CPUs were snapped up at about €246 each. All together, AMD made around 90% of all revenue, whereas Intel processors only took about 10%. This shows AMD’s dominance in sales during that period, though overall numbers are quite low.

    Popular CPU Generations

    If you look at specific models, the AMD Zen 5 stood out with 645 units sold, which is quite impressive considering the poor market overall. Close behind was Zen 4, with around 105 units, and the Intel Core Ultra 200 series sold approximately 90 units. These figures imply that AMD’s new Zen 5 might be the most in demand right now, but the market still lukewarm.

    Intel’s Improved Position?

    Previously, we mentioned that Intel’s Core Ultra 200S Plus Arrow Lake Refresh looked promising because of its good price/performance ratio, which could bring better sales. And now, the reports suggest that demand are showing signs of slight improvement for Intel CPUs, thanks to the expanded lineup of the Core Ultra 200 series.

    Upcoming Intel CPU Refreshes

    Rumors are swirling about Intel working on a Raptor Lake Refresh for their LGA1700 platform, with a launch forecast for early 2027. If past refreshes are anything to go by, these new models might boost Intel’s market share, providing consumers with more affordable and powerful options. Alongside the upcoming Nova Lake generation, Intel might finally see a rebound next year.

    Market Outlook

    All things considered, the PC building scene isn’t looking too bright right now. The entire consumer tech industry—smartphones, laptops, and GPUs—need some relief, especially with prices for DRAM and storage coming down. Otherwise, the market could keep slipping into a deeper slump, hurting everyone’s sales and growth.

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  • German Retailer Reports Record-Low CPU Sales as Consumer Demand Drops

    German Retailer Reports Record-Low CPU Sales as Consumer Demand Drops

    Key Takeaway

    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.

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