Buy an SSD while you still can

Let's face it: now is not the best time to buy PC upgrades. WITH RAM-pocalypse is in full swing, not only RAM, but many components are becoming more expensive. Those hoping for an exciting new release this holiday season will be disappointed.

I also wanted to treat myself to an upgrade, but after some thought I realized that the only thing that makes sense right now is an SSD.

SSD prices seem ok – for now

Not for long, unfortunately.

While RAM prices have more than doubled in the past few months, with some kits rising from $70 to $400 since August, SSDs have remained a little more stable. Not entirely stable and definitely not static, but more stable.

According to tracker PC Part Picker, I've reviewed a lot of different PCIe Gen 4 and Gen 5 SSDs, and the prices of some of them have skyrocketed over the past few months. WD Black 2TB SN850X The price was $149 in the summer, but is now up to $190 on Amazon and $220 elsewhere. Meanwhile, Samsung 990 Pro (2 TB) is currently $190, down from $230. Amazon's own price tracker shows the lowest price in 30 days was $159.

This is a significant increase, but when you look at the RAM, it doesn't seem that bad. The price of the Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 32GB has increased from a low of $129 in September to $442 at the time of writing. By the time you read this, it could cost even more.

SSDs currently shine in comparison.

Not only RAM is in great demand

Data centers also need NAND flash memory.

Recent report from Trendforce found that NAND flash memory, an important component of solid-state drives, is itself experiencing a shortage. Demand is fueled by data centers, so as usual in these situations, we have AI to thank for our suffering.

The shortage has driven up prices for basic NAND wafers. TrendForce reports that average monthly price increases ranged from 20% to 60% for all types of SSDs.

The worst part is that it's not over yet. As this shortage continues (and perhaps gets worse), prices are predicted to continue to rise.

We've already heard market analysts suggest that the RAM shortage, and therefore the pricing issues, may not end until 2027 or 2028. Things are also bleak with solid-state drives. Unless the so-called AI bubble bursts and leaves the market in ruins, we are unlikely to see SSD prices fall for at least a few months.

I know what I'm doing…

Coming back to upgrading the PC, we know that RAM is low and we know that SSDs are about to run out. Skyrocketing RAM prices could also spread to GPUsso this may be your last chance to get it before things get worse.

But the good thing about SSDs is that you can always use them, and although they are more expensive, they will never be as expensive as a graphics card. That's why I'm buying myself an SSD this year, knowing that I might regret not buying one in a few months when prices are likely to get even worse.

You can always increase the memory on your PC or laptop, and that's what I plan to do with my new SSD. I already have one boot disk and one drive, but I'm running out of space due to the chronic need to install every game I own (and then not having time to play them).

You can also replace one of the SSDs with a newer one and then use the case to turn it into an external backup drive. Likewise, you can simply purchase an external SSD to begin with, e.g. Decisive value X10. Given that Micron, the company behind Crucial, exit from the consumer marketthese SSDs are about to become vintage.

Finally, buying an SSD could be a start your own NAS build. You always need at least one in the NAS for the OS.

Other updates are possible, but be careful.

Check price history to make sure you are not being scammed.

If you don't need an SSD, don't let me tempt you into buying one you don't need. There are other tech upgrades that you can purchase this holiday season, but unfortunately, the prices for some of them really aren't that great.

Let's start now good time to get a new GPU (if your computer needs one). Prices are as low as they have been this year, but many signs point to another increase in GPU prices over the next few months. Demand for AI, shortage of DRAM and so on – you understand it.

But you can try something completely different. Instead of upgrading your GPU, take a look updates that enhance your PC experience. Peripherals like keyboards and mice are always good gifts for yourself (I say this after giving myself a new keyboard for my birthday last year). A good monitor that can really compete with your GPU is a must, as combining a reliable GPU with a cheap, outdated monitor essentially loses frame rate.

Some of the less exciting but currently available PC upgrades also include coolers, a power supply, and even a processor, although this is essentially a completely new system. If you do decide to buy a new processor, make sure you don't get caught out CPU Bottleneck Trap.

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Don't wait too long

PC component prices are unstable.

The holidays are just around the corner, and all the big sales are behind us. Whatever promotions and discounts should have happened, they have already happened.

If you're looking to treat yourself to a PC upgrade this year, I think buying an SSD is the best option given the different use cases and the current state of the market. Prices may take a long time to normalize, and they're likely getting worse, so stock up while you can. This is what I plan to do.