PC makers face shortages of Intel and AMD CPUs that stretch up to six months — lead time for orders jumps from just two weeks in the face of AI demand

PC makers are grappling with shortages of Intel and AMD CPUs, exacerbating existing memory and storage chip supply issues. Companies like HP and Dell are experiencing mismatches between CPU deliveries and demand, leading to price hikes of 10% to 15% or more. Lead times for CPU orders have extended from a couple of weeks to up to six months, with concerns that the situation may worsen in the second quarter of 2026. The surge in CPU demand, driven by AI hyperscalers, is reminiscent of the previous GPU shortage, with manufacturers prioritizing premium customers over the consumer market. This shortage may pave the way for Arm-based chips to gain market share, particularly in mainstream laptops, as Intel and AMD struggle to meet processor demand.