Most likely the prices for coolers will rise due to increased costs of copper and tin

The situation with rising prices for computer electronics in 2024

*Trends and causes*

- This year is expected to see further increases in the cost of both individual components and overall electronics.

- After memory (RAM chips) began to rise, manufacturers started discussing raising prices on other PC components.

- Among them Alphacool stands out particularly, announcing plans to raise the price of cooling systems. Other brands are also considering similar moves.

*Problem with copper and tin supplies*

- Thermal Grizzly CEO Roman Hartung noted in a recent video that rising copper and tin prices are already starting to affect production.

- He talked about extended delivery times and increasing raw material costs. In particular, he mentioned an order for 12 mm thick copper plates placed in October of last year. Such orders usually take a few weeks to complete, but it is still not closed: the price is unknown, and delivery is expected only in February.

- A second supplier offered faster delivery, but at a cost increase of 40 %. For example, a copper plate for cooling systems previously cost €190 and now costs €280 – an increase of about 47 %.

- According to the source, the price of a metric ton of copper rose from $9,000 a year ago to roughly $13,000 today. Copper is trading at almost record levels, and global uncertainty makes a decline unlikely in the near future.

- Tin has also become more expensive: over a year its price increased by 60 % in euros and 80 % in dollars. This affects soldering and electronics assembly. In comparison, aluminum and nickel prices rose only about 5 %, and steel costs fell.

*Manufacturers’ reactions*

- Alphacool announced a price increase of 5–10 % across its entire range by the end of February. The company’s CEO cited rising copper component costs for water blocks, nearly triple solder cost increases, and higher wages at Chinese factories as reasons.

- Be Quiet! said it is closely monitoring the raw material market and working with suppliers to maintain stable prices. However, the company warned that its pricing policy could be reviewed due to rising material costs.

Thus, current inflation in the metallurgical market continues to affect the cost of computer electronics, forcing manufacturers to rethink their pricing strategies and seek new ways to optimize supply chains.