While the world is experiencing shortages of graphics cards and AMD processors, few people have worried about the lower end. MyDrivers said Intel's B460 and H410 chipsets are running out, along with PCBs and other electronic components necessary for motherboard manufacturing are either out of stock, or the prices have risen substantially. This could jack the prices of motherboards up.

According to MyDrivers, motherboard manufacturers received the last wave of B460 and H410 shipments this month, and supply isn't likely to improve in January.

Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI have adjusted their shipment strategies and will raise pricing. Although the report doesn't provide specifics, MyDrivers claims that ASRock and Biostar are in an even worse situation.

While B460 and H410 chipsets might be in a bad place, the supply for Z490 chipsets is tolerable. This is because Z490 is built on the 14nm process node, while the B460 and H410 chipsets are manufactured with the older 22nm process node.

All this will roll over into Intel's forthcoming 500-series chipsets for Rocket Lake-S, too. The Z590 chipset is rumoured to be manufactured with the 14nm process, while the B560 and H510 chipsets come out of the 22nm oven.

Intel likely put the previous-gen 22nm chipsets on the backburner so it could build up enough inventory for the looming 500-series motherboard launch, which is rumoured to take place at CES.

Tom’s Hardware reports that that supply for the Z590 chipset will be limited too, although inventory isn't at the point of shortage – all of which is normal surrounding the launch of a new line of chipsets.

It has heard that Intel recommended that its motherboard partners order more B460 and H410 chipsets in advance because supply will be very tight in the upcoming months. There's no definitive timeline on how long the shortage will last, but it may endure throughout the first quarter of 2021.