PC Assembly Costs Jump in Nizhny Novgorod

Experts report a sharp rise in prices for computer components and outline benchmarks for building a new PC, providing current prices and recommendations from specialists.

Feb 25, 2026

A sharp increase in computer component prices was recorded in 2025.
Source:
Natalia Laptsevich / 74.RU

The beginning of 2025 in Russia has been marked by a sharp spike in prices for personal computer components. RAM and SSD drives have increased in price the most, doubling. Analysts believe this is not the limit and the cost of upgrades will only continue to rise.

A similar situation is being observed worldwide. Specialists link the shortage and price increases to a boom in the artificial intelligence sector, which has sharply increased demand for corresponding components.

For residents of Nizhny Novgorod planning to buy a computer, the primary advice is to clearly define the tasks for the future PC and their budget. There are three main paths: self-assembly with part selection, turning to specialists, or buying a pre-built system unit.

In online electronics stores, basic pre-built systems start at 20,000 rubles (approx. $220 at current rates). Mini-PCs are available for 12,000–19,000 rubles ($130–$210), but they are significantly less powerful and practically impossible to upgrade. If such a computer becomes obsolete, it will have to be replaced entirely, whereas in a standard case, individual components can be replaced.

To get an optimal configuration for individual tasks, custom assembly with the help of specialists or by oneself is often chosen.

Several Nizhny Novgorod PC builders we spoke to confirmed that the final amount depends on the client«s requirements but provided average figures.

«A more or less decent one, not embarrassing to turn on, will cost somewhere from 30,000 rubles ($330). You can, of course, cobble together some garbage for 15,000 ($165), but it will lag and stutter. Even if you want to move around properly in a browser, it will stutter because it will have a very bad processor. So 30,000 is the absolute minimum,» one builder told us.

A computer for comfortably launching modern games and resource-intensive programs will be significantly more expensive. The cost of such a system unit starts at 70,000 rubles ($770).

«Just a powerful graphics card, the cheapest one now costs 30,000 rubles ($330). If you want games to launch on minimum settings, that«s from 55,000–60,000 rubles ($605–$660). The easiest way is to determine your budget and goals, then go to a store to have them pick out components, and then based on those selections, the masters who will do the assembly will advise which part is better to get for a given amount of money,» the specialist concluded.

Another specialist recommended paying closer attention to the choice of graphics card, suggesting that the next wave of price increases will affect them specifically. The current price range for key assembly components looks like this:

case — from 1,199 to 49,999 rubles ($13–$550);
motherboard — from 4,699 to 147,999 rubles ($52–$1,625);
power supply — from 750 to 54,299 rubles ($8–$595);
SSD drive — from 2,399 to 54,999 rubles ($26–$605);
RAM — from 1,199 to 258,999 rubles ($13–$2,850);
processor — from 650 to 95,799 rubles ($7–$1,055);
graphics card — from 2,999 to 589,999 rubles ($33–$6,490).

For assembling a good working computer capable of running popular games and programs, experts suggested this approximate set of components with specific prices:

case — 3,699 rubles ($41);
motherboard — 17,999 rubles ($198);
power supply — 6,899 rubles ($76);
SSD drive — 5,299 rubles ($58);
RAM — 23,999 rubles ($264);
processor — 15,399 rubles ($170);
graphics card — 53,999 rubles ($595).

Separately, the specialists noted that parts can often be found cheaper on large online marketplaces where sellers operate directly from China. However, in such cases, the risk of encountering difficulties with warranty returns is higher.

«Defects can happen both when buying in a store and when ordering from a marketplace. No one is insured against that. I assembled a computer not long ago, bought everything new in a store, components totaling 300,000 rubles ($3,300). In the end, the motherboard and graphics card were defective. Of course, I managed to exchange them, but it caused problems. So there is a risk of running into defective goods in any case,» the specialist stated.

Services for assembling a system unit, installing an operating system, and basic software are estimated on average at 3,000–5,000 rubles ($33–$55). The final amount depends on the complexity of the task and the rates of the specific specialist.