If you are planning to buy a PC or build one this year, you have surely noticed that prices are not what they used to be. 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 last year. That is why the most important question before you pay is no longer just how much is it? It has become how long is the warranty, who stands behind it, and what exactly does it cover? In this guide we look at what is happening in the market in numbers, then a practical checklist of questions that works for any purchase, and we apply it to the component most people underestimate: the case.
What is happening in the global parts market
The cause of the crisis is easy to describe and heavy in its consequences: AI data centers have absorbed most of the world's memory production. According to IDC estimates, data centers will consume around 70% of global memory output in 2026, compared with just 20 to 30% in 2022. That fed straight through to prices:
- DRAM contract prices rose 90 to 95% in the first quarter of 2026, and PC RAM specifically rose 105 to 110%.
- NAND memory, the foundation of SSD drives, rose 55 to 60% over the same period, and some capacities effectively doubled in price.
- Memory chips now account for more than 80% of the manufacturing cost of some high-end graphics cards. The RTX 5090 averaged 4,699 dollars on the US market in August 2026, up from 4,299 dollars in June, with some versions passing 5,000 dollars.
- IDC expects average PC prices to climb by up to 8% during 2026, and some manufacturers have already started selling prebuilt machines with no RAM at all to protect their margins.
And the most important point for the Iraqi buyer: forecasts say the shortage will continue through 2027, with no real relief expected before 2028, and a return to 2025 prices is unlikely. In other words, we are entering a long stretch with a single headline: the part in your hands is worth more now, and replacing it is harder.
What this means for you in practice
When replacement gets expensive, the warranty turns from a formality into a real part of the price you pay. Before you buy any component, ask these questions and get the answer in writing, not verbally:
- Exactly how long is the warranty? The term varies by manufacturer and by component type. Thermaltake, for example, gives its PC chassis a three-year warranty covering parts and labor. Others may offer less or more, so check the brand's official warranty page rather than relying on general talk.
- Who is actually backing the warranty? A store or local distributor warranty is one thing, and a global manufacturer warranty is another. Ask: if it fails, who do I go to, where, and how long does the process take?
- Is the warranty transferable? Companies such as Corsair state that their warranty is non-transferable and applies to the original purchaser. That is a decisive point if you are thinking of buying a used part from someone else.
- What is excluded from coverage? Physical damage, liquids, modification and misuse are normally outside the warranty. Ask specifically about wear items such as fans, lighting and glass panels.
- Replacement or repair? And if it is a replacement, do you get an identical model or an equivalent substitute? How long is the process expected to take?
- Keep your 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 one piece of advice that stays true even after the crisis cools down: spend on the parts that outlive a single build. The case and the power supply stay with you for years and carry new components across builds, while the CPU and graphics card get swapped out every so often. Choosing a sturdy, roomy, well-ventilated case today means cheaper upgrades two years from now, and a warranty you are less likely to need.
A pick for every need
The showpiece on the list: an ATX Mid Tower case with a built-in touchscreen and a panoramic glass design in snow white. Because it contains a genuinely electronic part, the screen, this is exactly the kind of product whose warranty details you should ask about before buying: coverage of the metal chassis is one thing, and coverage of the screen and its accessories is something else entirely.
From the MPG family aimed at powerful builds, with a Mid Tower structure and comfortable internal space that lets you fit larger cooling and route cables easily. Suited to anyone who wants a chassis that stays with them 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 labor, one of the clearest published policies in the market. This version comes in white, and the TG in the name refers to the tempered glass panel; at Mid Tower size it suits clean builds you want running for years.
The name explains its philosophy: Airflow means a focus on air movement, and iCUE RGB means lighting you can control in software through Corsair's own system. Remember the point we made above: the Corsair warranty applies 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, and that is an important economic point in a year like this one: every fan you buy separately is an added cost on top of the price of the case. The one question to ask here: are the fans covered by the same warranty as the chassis, or do they have separate coverage?
An option with a panoramic design and a glass front that gives an open view of the build, in black. A practical tip before you order: check your motherboard's size, its connector type and whether it works with this kind of design, because compatibility is not always obvious with panoramic cases.
The budget option on the list, and its name makes clear that it comes with a single fan only. That is not a flaw in itself if it fits your budget, but factor in the cost of adding front intake fans from the start so the final price does not surprise you.
Summary and advice
The current crisis will not be over in a month or two, and estimates point to it continuing through 2027 at least. In this climate, the best financial decision is not to chase the cheapest price on the market, but to buy a part that lasts longer and has a clear, written warranty. Ask about the term, about who is backing it, and about the exclusions, and keep the invoice and the 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 provinces of Iraq and cash on delivery, meaning you see the part in your hands before you pay, which is itself an extra layer of protection in a year when every component has become more expensive than before.
