Why Japanese BTO PC Shops Are Hitting Pause
Several Japanese PC shops have temporarily stopped selling BTO or built to order computers. This is not because demand is low. In fact it is the opposite. Demand for custom PCs has surged so quickly that many shops simply cannot keep up.
On top of that, the global shortage of key PC components has made the situation even harder. Shops are struggling to get enough parts and the parts they can find are much more expensive than before. This double hit of high demand and limited supply has pushed some stores to pause their BTO services until things stabilize.
BTO systems are popular with gamers and power users because you can choose your own CPU, GPU, memory and storage. When those parts are hard to source or change price every few days, it becomes almost impossible for a shop to offer reliable quotes.
Global Component Shortages And Price Spikes
The pause in BTO sales is part of a much larger global problem. PC components worldwide are facing major shortages. This includes some of the most important parts for gaming and performance focused systems.
- CPUs are in tight supply due to heavy demand from both gamers and general PC users.
- GPUs are extremely difficult to secure as gamers, creators and other industries all compete for limited stock.
- Memory and storage prices have become less predictable as supply chains struggle.
These shortages have pushed prices up sharply. Many shops in Japan report that prices do not just rise. They also change so fast that it is almost pointless to give a customer a quote that needs to stay valid for more than a very short time.
For a BTO system builder, that level of volatility is a big problem. When a shop quotes a customer on a gaming PC build, they normally expect that price to hold until assembly. Right now a GPU or CPU might jump in price between the quote and the order, turning a profitable build into a loss. To avoid that risk, some Japanese stores have decided to stop taking new BTO orders rather than disappoint customers later with sudden price changes or delays.
What This Means For Gamers And PC Buyers
If you are a gamer or PC user in Japan who wants a new custom build, these temporary pauses can be frustrating. However they are also a clear signal of how intense the component shortages have become. The problem is not a lack of interest in BTO systems. It is that the building blocks of a good gaming rig are too scarce and unstable in price.
For many buyers this situation means a few likely outcomes.
- You may have to wait longer than usual to get a custom gaming PC.
- Pre built systems that are already in stock might be easier to buy than fully custom BTO builds.
- Prices on high end components such as powerful GPUs may stay elevated for some time.
For the shops themselves, the pause is a way to protect both their business and their customers. Rather than promise something they cannot deliver at a fair price, they are choosing to step back until the market cools down and supply becomes more reliable.
This situation also highlights how closely PC gaming and hardware enthusiasts are tied to the global component market. When factories cannot keep up or supply chains are disrupted, even local shops in Japan feel the impact right away. Until availability improves and prices stabilize, expect BTO services in some regions to remain limited or more expensive than before.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/desktops/pc-building/japanese-shops-halt-desktop-pc-orders-until-2026-as-memory-shortage-intensifies-built-to-order-systems-hamstrung-by-component-shortages-and-skyrocketing-prices
