Desktop CPU sales have fallen to record lows, signalling a sharp slowdown in the DIY PC market as rising component costs push consumers to delay upgrades.

New data from German retailer Mindfactory for week 13 of 2026 shows CPU sales hitting their lowest level on record, according to figures shared by TechEpiphany.

The decline reflects broader trends across PC components, with prices for CPUs, GPUs, memory and storage all climbing in recent months.

The slowdown follows recent efforts by Intel to revive demand, including the launch of its Core Ultra 200S Plus processors with lower pricing and improved gaming performance. But early sales suggest the new chips have yet to gain traction with consumers.

Intel has warned ongoing semiconductor supply constraints, driven in part by surging AI infrastructure demand, are continuing to limit chip availability and keep prices elevated.

AMD remains dominant, accounting for around 89 per cent of units sold, while Intel sits at just over 10 per cent. Intel’s top-selling chip for the week reportedly moved only 10 units.

Buyers who are still spending appear to be favouring older, more affordable hardware.

AMD’s Ryzen 7 5700X and Ryzen 5 5500 remain popular due to their compatibility with cheaper DDR4 memory, offering better value than newer DDR5-based platforms.

The trend is mirrored on Intel’s side, where older-generation processors continue to make up most sales.

The figures suggest demand hasn’t disappeared – but with prices elevated, many consumers are opting to wait, leaving the DIY PC market in a holding pattern.