Affordable memory and storage are the only missing link.
Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 win 2026 awards: competitive midrange performance at $220–$890 despite AI supply crisis. For CTOs: viable CPU refresh cycles remain, but NAND/memory volatility persists—budget conservatively for storage as RAMpocalypse constrains infrastructure plans.
Here are our top picks of the year
