After weeks of speculation, AMD has officially signaled plans to raise graphics card prices by at least 10% in early 2026, citing escalating memory costs driven by surging demand from AI infrastructure. According to analyst Dan Nystedt, quoting sources from UDN, AMD has informed its supply chain partners of the upcoming price increase, marking the second round of cost adjustments in recent months. While the first hike was absorbed internally and impacted AMD’s profit margins, this time the burden will be passed down to distributors and retailers—and ultimately consumers. The surge in prices is largely attributed to the dramatic rise in DRAM costs, which have climbed nearly 200% per memory stick over the past year. This shortage has been fueled by relentless demand from data centers worldwide, which have been aggressively acquiring GPUs, CPUs, storage, and even entire power infrastructure to support AI development. As memory becomes scarcer and more expensive, the ripple effect is now reaching consumer-facing products like graphics cards. PowerColor recently warned of impending price hikes, and AMD’s confirmation to its partners solidifies those concerns. While the 10% figure is presented as a minimum, analysts suggest it could serve as a baseline, with actual increases potentially higher depending on supply chain dynamics and inventory levels. This timing is particularly challenging for AMD, which has struggled to maintain its recommended retail price for the flagship Radeon RX 9070 XT throughout the year. The card finally reached its $599 MSRP for the first time during Black Friday sales—but that pricing may not last long given the looming increases. AMD is unlikely to be alone in raising prices. Nvidia is reportedly delaying the launch of its RTX 50 Super series due to ongoing memory shortages. Despite this, Nvidia remains highly profitable on its gaming GPUs, largely because its data center segment generates significantly higher margins. For consumers looking to avoid the upcoming price hikes, now may be the best time to purchase a graphics card. Current deals—especially those available during Black Friday—offer excellent value on top-tier models. Keeping an eye on ongoing promotions and staying informed through trusted tech sources can help buyers secure the best deals before prices climb further.