R7News and analysis
The bench
Launches, price swings and what they mean if you’re about to buy.
News · 3 min
Why RAM and SSD Prices Are So High
AI data centers are buying memory faster than factories can make it. Here is what caused the shortage, what is disputed and how to buy around it.
Nov 9, 2026
News · 4 min
Is Now a Good Time to Build a PC?
Memory and graphics cards are expensive and no forecast promises a quick fix. Use this framework to decide whether to buy, wait or upgrade what you own.
Nov 9, 2026
Opinion · 4 min
Stop Overspending on Motherboards
Most builders pay for motherboard features they never use. Buy the cheapest solid board with the ports you need and put the savings somewhere you will notice.
Nov 9, 2026
Opinion · 3 min
The Best Upgrade Is Usually Your Monitor
If your games already run well, a better screen will change more than a faster graphics card, and it barely touches this year's memory prices.
Nov 9, 2026
News · 3 min
What Zen 6 and Nova Lake Mean for Buyers
Neither is on sale for desktops yet. Here is what AMD and Intel have said, what is still rumor and who should actually wait.
Nov 9, 2026
Bench Notes
One short email a week: price drops worth acting on, launches that matter, and the builds we would actually buy.