First memory, storage, and now PCBsss: AI Boom Triggers Massive PCB Shortage With Orders Booked Until 2030, Posing Big Challenges For Consumer Hardware Vendors

# AI Boom Triggers Massive PCB Shortage With Orders Booked Until 2030, Posing Big Challenges For Consumer Hardware Vendors Source: [https://wccftech.com/ai-boom-triggers-massive-pcb-shortage-with-orders-booked-until-2030/](https://wccftech.com/ai-boom-triggers-massive-pcb-shortage-with-orders-booked-until-2030/) Not just memory and NAND, but PCB costs are apparently rising rapidly as well, thanks to the AI boom\. ## AI Infrastructure Demand is Reportedly Gobbling up the PCB Supply, Which Could Make Consumer Hardware Even More Expensive Not just memory, SSDs, and[GPUs are surging in costs](https://wccftech.com/amd-to-implement-another-gpu-price-hike-in-november/), but the PCBs \(printed circuit boards\) are about to see a significant surge in prices in the near future\. The AI boom has spared nothing, and that's exactly what the latest report by Nikkei Asia suggests\. According to the report, many manufacturers are now struggling to secure enough capacity to meet the demand from both AI and traditional electronics markets\. Nikkei Asia reports that PCB manufacturers are seeing order lead times stretch to as long as 30 months\. This is why one supplier told the outlet that the orders placed today may not be fulfilled until late 2028\. An unnamed executive from an American PC vendor revealed that securing sufficient PCB supplies is becoming increasingly difficult, despite expectations of declining PC shipments next year\. > Even though PC shipments could decline again next year, we are still struggling to secure enough PCB supplies to meet our needs This is a result of PCB supplies being gobbled up by the AI infrastructure, which is rapidly expanding and is attracting significantly more investment and manufacturing capacity than consumer electronics\. PCB manufacturers are naturally prioritizing orders from customers who are willing to pay more, which is leaving conventional PC vendors competing for the remaining production capacity\. That said, the problem isn't just the limited PCB manufacturing capacity\. The report suggests that the materials required to create these boards are also becoming significantly more expensive\. Copper\-clad laminates or CCLs that is an essential part of PCB construction, have witnessed price hikes a dozen times since July, 2026\. So, simply expanding the manufacturing capacities might not resolve the supply crunch anytime soon\. For the consumer segment, this can be a headache for vendors as maintaining a steady supply of components at lower prices is already challenging, and now with increased PCB costs and limited availability, the overall production costs will see a drastic rise\. News Sources:[Nikkei Asia](https://asia.nikkei.com/spotlight/supply-chain/ai-boom-sparks-circuit-board-crunch-across-global-tech-supply-chain),[Tom's Hardware](https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/ai-demand-triggers-massive-pcb-shortage-for-pc-makers-as-order-books-full-until-2030-lead-times-stretch-to-30-months-as-material-costs-surge-12x) [](https://wccftech.com/author/sarfraz/) **About the[author](https://wccftech.com/author/sarfraz/):**Sarfraz Khan is a[hardware](https://wccftech.com/topic/hardware/)reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community\. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications\. Sarfraz's hands\-on experience is demonstrated through his first\-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users\. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab\. Follow[Wccftech on Google](https://profile.google.com/cp/Cg0vZy8xMWM3NDB2MmIyGgA)to get more of our news coverage in your feeds\.