If you are planning to buy or build a PC this year, you have probably noticed that prices no longer behave the way they used to. The wave that started in the global memory market has reached almost every component inside the case, and the result is simple: any failure after purchase now costs you far more than it did a year ago. That is why the most important question before you pay is no longer how much does it cost? alone, it is how long is the warranty, who honours it, and what exactly does it cover? In this guide we look at what is happening in the market with real numbers, then at a practical checklist you can use for any purchase, applied to the component most people underestimate: the case.
What is happening in the global parts market
The cause is easy to describe and heavy in its consequences: AI data centres have absorbed most of the world memory output. According to IDC estimates, data centres will consume roughly 70% of global memory production in 2026, up from only 20 to 30% in 2022. The effect on prices was immediate:
- DRAM contract prices rose 90 to 95% in the first quarter of 2026, and PC DRAM specifically rose 105 to 110%.
- NAND flash, the technology behind SSDs, rose 55 to 60% in the same period, and some SSD capacities effectively doubled in price.
- Memory chips now account for more than 80% of the bill of materials of some high end graphics cards. The RTX 5090 reached a median US street price of 4,699 dollars in August 2026, up from 4,299 dollars in June, with some listings passing 5,000 dollars.
- IDC expects average PC prices to rise by up to 8% during 2026, and some vendors have already started selling pre-built machines with no RAM at all to protect their margins.
The part that matters most to an Iraqi buyer: shortages are expected to persist through 2027, real easing is not expected before 2028, and a return to 2025 pricing is unlikely. In other words, we are entering a long stretch where the part you already own is worth more than before, and replacing it is harder.
What this means for you in practice
When replacement becomes expensive, the warranty stops being a formality and becomes part of the price you actually pay. Before buying any component, ask these questions and get the answers in writing, not verbally:
- Exactly how long is the warranty? The period differs by manufacturer and by part type. Thermaltake, for example, covers its PC chassis for three years including parts and labour. Others may be shorter or longer, so check the official warranty page of the brand rather than relying on general talk.
- Who honours the warranty? A store or local distributor warranty is one thing, a global manufacturer warranty is another. Ask who you go back to, where, and how long the process takes.
- Is the warranty transferable? Corsair, for example, states that its warranty is non transferable and belongs to the original purchaser. That is decisive if you are considering a used part from someone else.
- What is excluded from coverage? Physical damage, liquids, modification and misuse are usually outside the warranty. Ask specifically about consumable parts such as fans, lighting and glass panels.
- Replacement or repair? And if replacement, do you get an identical model or an equivalent alternative, and how long should the process take?
- Keep the proof. The invoice, a photo of the serial number and the original box are the first things you will be asked for, and without them most claims get complicated.
And here is a piece of advice that stays true long after this crisis cools down: spend on the parts that survive more than one build. The case and the power supply stay with you for years while the CPU and the graphics card get swapped out. Choosing a solid, roomy, well ventilated case today means cheaper upgrades two years from now, and a warranty you are less likely to need.
Recommended options, and who each one suits
The showpiece of the list: an ATX Mid Tower case with a built in touchscreen and a panoramic glass design in snow white. Because it includes a genuinely electronic part, the display, this is exactly the kind of product whose warranty details you should ask about before buying: coverage of the metal chassis is one thing, coverage of the screen and its electronics is another.
From the MPG family aimed at serious builds, with a Mid Tower structure and comfortable internal space that lets you fit larger cooling and route cables cleanly. A good fit if you want a chassis that stays with you for years and takes more than one upgrade without needing to be replaced.
If warranty length is a priority for you, Thermaltake states a three year warranty on its PC chassis covering parts and labour, one of the clearest published policies in the market. This is the white version, and the TG in the name points to the tempered glass panel. At Mid Tower size, it suits clean builds you intend to keep running for years.
The name explains the philosophy: Airflow means a focus on air movement, and iCUE RGB means lighting you control through Corsair own software. Remember the point made above: the Corsair warranty belongs to the original purchaser and is non transferable, so keep the invoice in your name and stored safely from day one.
It ships with four ARGB fans already in the box, which is an economically meaningful detail in a year like this one: every fan bought separately is an extra cost on top of the case price. The one question worth asking here is whether the fans fall under the same chassis warranty or have separate coverage.
A panoramic design with a glass front that gives an open view of the build, in black. A practical tip before ordering: confirm your motherboard size, its connector layout and its compatibility with this style of case, because compatibility is not always obvious with panoramic designs.
The budget option on the list, and the name is honest about it: it ships with a single exhaust fan only. That is not a flaw in itself if it fits your budget, but count the cost of adding front intake fans from the start so the final price is not a surprise.
Summary and advice
The current crisis will not be over in a month or two, and forecasts point to it persisting through 2027 at least. In this climate, the best financial decision is not chasing the cheapest price on the market, it is buying a part with a longer life and a clear, written warranty. Ask about the period, about who honours it, about the exclusions, and keep the invoice and serial number from the day it arrives.
And if you decide to buy, every case listed above is available from us with delivery to all Iraqi provinces and cash on delivery, which means you see the item in your hands before you pay. In a year where every component costs more than it used to, that is an extra layer of protection on its own.
