Black Friday remains one of the most anticipated sales periods for PC builders and gamers eager to snag the best deals on hardware. Yet, with fluctuating prices on key components such as RAM and SSDs, and shifting product launches like NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Super series, knowing exactly when and what to buy this season can be challenging. With early Black Friday sales already underway and major discounts extending into the week of Thanksgiving, it’s crucial to understand the optimal times for different PC parts to maximize savings while building or upgrading your rig.
Extended Black Friday Sales Window
Unlike the traditional single-day Black Friday event, the best deals for PC components will span November 20th through November 28th. Retailers stagger discounts across this time frame, with some early sales starting mid-November and then dropping deeper as Thanksgiving week progresses. Early deals can vanish a week before Black Friday, only to resurface with better pricing closer to the official day. For buyers, this means patience pays off for certain components, especially high-ticket items like GPUs and gaming monitors.
Component-Specific Buying Guidance
Graphics Cards
GPUs are the heart of any gaming PC build, and this Black Friday period is shaping up well for these. Current prices are reasonable, and manufacturers are pushing new releases like NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series, though the anticipated “Super” variants with increased VRAM may face delays or price hikes due to soaring memory costs. For those looking to build now, grabbing popular models like the RTX 4070 Ti or RTX 4080 at their current or slightly discounted rates is advisable rather than waiting indefinitely for potentially unavailable Super cards. The best GPU deals are expected during the November 20-28 window, with price drops of $40-$50 possible on favored models.
RAM and Storage
This year, RAM and SSDs present a unique challenge: prices are steadily climbing due to increased demand from AI data centers and overall market constraints. As a result, major discounts on these components are unlikely during Black Friday, and stock shortages are a real concern. If you need memory or fast storage, it’s generally better to buy now rather than wait for Black Friday, as pricing looks poised to only increase further into 2024 and beyond.
CPUs and Motherboards
CPU pricing tends to be stable, though mid-range chips like the Ryzen 7600X or Intel Core i5-14600K may see more meaningful discounts closer to Black Friday itself. High-end CPUs such as the Ryzen 9 9800 X3D are highly sought after and can sell out quickly, so purchasing these sooner rather than later can be wise. Motherboards are also currently at attractive prices, with deals on high-end models already available. If you find a good price on the board you want, it’s best not to hold out on the chance of a deeper discount that may never come.
Gaming Monitors and Peripherals
Gaming monitors often see some of the deepest discounts during Black Friday proper, making it worth waiting for deals, especially if you are targeting premium offerings like 1440p 240 Hz QD OLED displays. These monitors deliver stunning visuals and responsiveness, and Black Friday deals can significantly reduce their cost. Gaming peripherals such as keyboards and mice tend to have flash deals throughout the holiday shopping season, so patience and vigilance here can yield excellent bargains even extending into Cyber Monday.
Insights on the RTX 50 Super Series and Market Trends
Anticipation around NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Super series centers on whether these cards will deliver the rumored VRAM upgrades using costly 3 GB GDDR7 modules or simply be marginally overclocked variants of existing models. Given the skyrocketing RAM prices, it’s likely NVIDIA will prioritize memory modules for AI and data center markets, potentially delaying or limiting the Super GPUs’ release for gamers. This means settling for the current generation cards now may be the best move, as waiting could mean facing higher prices or limited availability next year.
Conclusion: When to Buy and What to Prioritize
For PC builders and upgraders this Black Friday, buying strategically is more important than ever. Act quickly to secure RAM and SSDs now before prices escalate further. GPUs, motherboards, and CPUs often benefit from deals during the November 20th to 28th window, so monitor sales carefully and pull the trigger when good discounts appear. Hold out for Black Friday proper to snag top-tier gaming monitors and be ready for competitive deals on gaming accessories throughout the holiday season. Overall, history and current market trends suggest waiting too long rarely benefits buyers — buy when good deals match your build needs and enjoy the best gaming setup you can afford.
