Gaming PCs and components look set to jump in price in the US as import tariff exclusions come to an end

Zotac RTX 4080 Super Amp Extreme Airo
(Image credit: Future)

If you're a US-based PC gamer and you've been holding off upgrading your rig, you might want to think again, as prices for graphics cards, motherboards, and even PC cases, are set to see a big bump in their prices. Depending on the item, the increase could be as much as 25%, which could make getting a new GPU very expensive.

Back in 2018, the US Trade Representative (USTR) issued a report in which it declared that "acts, policies, and practices of the Government of China related to technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation were unreasonable or discriminatory, and burdened or restricted U.S. commerce." The result of which were import tariffs on a raft of products that were manufactured or assembled in China, including all kinds of PC components and peripherals.

However, in 2022, the current US administration created a list of exclusions for 350 products (graphics cards and motherboards being two such cases), intending to give the industry sufficient time to shift as much of the upstream supply chain and assembly duties as possible outside of China.

That's not been particularly successful and as reported by PC Mag, the USTR has told the White House that it recommends that all tariffs should be maintained, including the ones that had been temporarily lifted.

At the moment, neither the USTR nor the White House have officially stated that they will reinstate all tariffs nor provided any indication as to when it could happen. But as the US heads toward a presidential election in November, there's a good chance the current administration will implement a raft of tariffs to generate a sense of having control over its markets, even if that means increases in prices for the consumer.

When it comes to graphics cards and motherboards, some vendors have all their assembly lines in China, such as Zotac, whereas others are based in Taiwan, like Gigabyte. However, they all still heavily rely on China-based suppliers for things like printed circuit boards, capacitors, and voltage regulators, even though GPUs and memory chips are predominantly manufactured in Taiwan and South Korea.

Less complex parts, e.g. keyboards, mice, and PC cases, are almost exclusively assembled in China, and it's very hard to find anything for a gaming PC that's entirely built outside of that particular country.

Your next upgrade

Nvidia RTX 4070 and RTX 3080 Founders Edition graphics cards

(Image credit: Future)

Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.
Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.
Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.
Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

Earlier this month, the White House also announced that it would be increasing the import tariff on semiconductors manufactured in China from 25% to 50% by 2025, with electric vehicle duty jumping from 25% to 100% at some point this year.

I should imagine many folks have been waiting to get a new motherboard or a full PC upgrade until the next generation of models is released by AMD, Intel, and Nvidia later this year. However, a graphics card currently selling for $499 at the moment could cost up to $624 with a 25% import tariff and given that they're already rather pricey, it's an increase that US-based PC gamers could well do without.

So it might be worth looking around now to see what deals are available. Fortunately, Memorial Day is just around the corner and that could be the ideal time to get some new parts before it all gets silly with prices. At the very least, it will probably mean some brands will end up being a lot more expensive than others, which will narrow your choices down somewhat.

Nick Evanson
Hardware Writer

Nick, gaming, and computers all first met in 1981, with the love affair starting on a Sinclair ZX81 in kit form and a book on ZX Basic. He ended up becoming a physics and IT teacher, but by the late 1990s decided it was time to cut his teeth writing for a long defunct UK tech site. He went on to do the same at Madonion, helping to write the help files for 3DMark and PCMark. After a short stint working at Beyond3D.com, Nick joined Futuremark (MadOnion rebranded) full-time, as editor-in-chief for its gaming and hardware section, YouGamers. After the site shutdown, he became an engineering and computing lecturer for many years, but missed the writing bug. Cue four years at TechSpot.com and over 100 long articles on anything and everything. He freely admits to being far too obsessed with GPUs and open world grindy RPGs, but who isn't these days? 

Read more
A photo of MSI Shenzhen motherboard production facility
In a first tariff-induced hit against the PC gaming sector, ASRock is talking about increasing costs and moving its graphics card manufacturing away from China
Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card on different backgrounds
If Trump's new threat of massive 100% tariffs on chips from Taiwan comes true an RTX 5090 for $2,000 will seem cheap
Nvidia RTX 5070 Founders Edition graphics card from various angles
It might be hard to imagine even worse GPU prices but the CEOs of Best Buy and Target both predict tariffs will push consumer prices up and fast
US President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. Trump signed an executive action he said would direct officials to create a sovereign wealth fund for the US, following through on an idea he floated during the presidential campaign. Photographer: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Trump flirts with 25% and 'substantially higher' tariffs on all computer chips
Acer Predator Helios 16 pictured with Horizon: Zero Dawn playing
'It’s very straightforward': Acer plans to raise the price of its PCs in the US by 10% in reaction to Trump's tech tariffs
AMD RX 7900 XT with its original packaging.
AMD clawed back 7% graphics market share from Nvidia at the end of 2024, but the outlook for the whole industry in 2025 looks iffy
Latest in Hardware
A woman wearing a VR headset with dramatic, colourful lighting across the background
'World’s smallest LEDs' could lead to accurately lit screens with 127,000 pixels per inch and much more immersive VR
The NES themed 8BitDo Retro mechanical gaming keyboard on a blue background
I love the 8BitDo Retro C64 keyboard but I'd pick its cheaper NES-themed model near its lowest price ever during Amazon's Big Spring Sale
The snazzy red and black HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless headphones float in a teal void. The microphone is attached to the headset.
The best wireless gaming headset is now even better in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, boasting a more than $50 discount
A chip being held up in an Intel fab
Intel is reportedly 'working to finalize commitments from Nvidia' as a foundry partner, suggesting gaming potential for the 18A node
Amazon box
Don't panic! The 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings' option Amazon just removed was only used by 0.03% of customers and they can still have it
Digital generated image of people surrounded by interactive transparent and glowing panels with data. Visualising smart technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence
Now I shall demand the cookies! Proposed new browsing agreement turns the tables and lets users dictate terms to websites
Latest in News
Monster Hunter Wilds' stockpile master studying a manifest
As layoffs and studio closures continue to deathroll the western AAA industry, analyst points out 5 of 8 major Japanese companies hit all-time share prices this year
A woman wearing a VR headset with dramatic, colourful lighting across the background
'World’s smallest LEDs' could lead to accurately lit screens with 127,000 pixels per inch and much more immersive VR
The NES themed 8BitDo Retro mechanical gaming keyboard on a blue background
I love the 8BitDo Retro C64 keyboard but I'd pick its cheaper NES-themed model near its lowest price ever during Amazon's Big Spring Sale
gta 6 trailer
Publishers 'don't want to be anywhere near' Grand Theft Auto 6 when it launches: 'It's proving to be very stressful'
Microsoft's iconic Bliss wallpaper
From pixels to pinot: The Windows XP 'Bliss' wallpaper hill was real and this is what it looks like now
A female Zoi making two hearts with her fingers.
Following 24 hours of Denuvo-based backlash, Inzoi is taking a surprising step and removing it entirely: 'We want to sincerely apologise for not aligning more closely with player expectations'