DigiTimes, citing sources from the "upstream supply chain", has advanced a report stating that global branded motherboards' shipments are expected to decline by 10% YoY in 2018. The report further states that the DIY PC market is expected to shrink by up to 15% this year. These decreases follow a down trendline starting in 2013, where motherboard shipments peaked at 75 million. This number has seen continuous reductions since then, with less than 50 million shipments in 2016, and decreased further towards an estimated 43 million units in 2017.

Motherboard makers are looking towards the still expanding gaming sector (and gaming motherboards) as a way to increase shipments and revenue, due to higher ASP (average selling price) of all things gaming branded. Manufacturers are looking at an uphill battle against ASUSTeK, however, which has done a tremendous job in marketing and brand recognition with its ROG line of gaming products, and has consequently locked in around 70% of the gaming product market.