Now is a good time to buy graphics cards
AMD is reportedly already planning price increases of at least 10 percent. Nvidia is allegedly leaving memory procurement to manufacturers in the future.
(Image: heise medien)
Most current desktop graphics cards are still available cheaply. Prices are either at their lowest point or close to it. For example, a GeForce RTX 5080 can still be found occasionally for just under 1000 euros (starting from 1038,98 €), and the smaller models GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (starting from 749 €), GeForce RTX 5070 (starting from 530,97 €), GeForce RTX 5060 Ti (starting from 369 €) and GeForce RTX 5060 (starting from 288,99 €) are also undercutting Nvidia's recommended prices.
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AMD's 9000 series also looks good at the moment. The Radeon RX 9070 XT is currently under the 600 euro mark (starting from 593,74 €). The Radeon RX 9070 (starting from 529 €) is a bit cheaper; the Radeon RX 9060 XT (starting from 307,93 €) is available for about half if 8 GB of memory is sufficient. The 16 GB version is around 350 euros (starting from 358,90 €).
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Nvidia apparently no longer bundles memory
However, the current memory crisis is likely to affect graphics cards soon. First signs are already noticeable: manufacturer models of the GeForce RTX 5090 – the only 32 GB graphics card for gamers – have risen in price in recent weeks to to at least 2620 euros. In the summer, they were available from just under 2300 euros.
Nvidia is reportedly breaking with the tradition of supplying graphics card manufacturers with bundles of graphics chips and memory. Instead, Nvidia apparently only sells the GPUs without the GDDR7 and GDDR6 components. This would allow Nvidia to avoid price increases due to scarce memory.
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The rumors originate from „Gold Pig Upgrade Package“  on the Chinese platform Weibo. The member has proven good contacts in the hardware industry over many years. Nvidia's change could prove particularly problematic for smaller graphics card manufacturers who have not established trade relations with memory manufacturers Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. SDRAM is scarce everywhere, and companies are reportedly prioritizing long-term partners.
AMD reportedly sees price increases ahead
AMD apparently wants to continue selling bundles of GPUs and memory, but to increase prices itself. A first increase reportedly already took place in October, but was compensated by manufacturers and retailers.
A second wave is according to rumors and is expected to increase prices by at least 10 percent. Accordingly, price increases are expected for all graphics cards.
(mma)
