GeForce RTX 5000: Manufacturers hold out their hand

There are still hardly any, if any, GeForce RTX 5090 and GeForce RTX 5080 graphics cards available. Nvidia's partner manufacturers are now benefiting from the supply shortage themselves and are at least partially increasing prices above their previous price recommendations.

This is evident at Asus and MSI, both of which operate their own web stores. MSI continues to list its own models of the GeForce RTX 5080, even though they are sold out. The Ventus 3X OC was originally a so-called RRP graphics card, i.e. a version that adheres to Nvidia's recommended retail price of 1169 euros. This goes hand in hand with cheaper components, such as the voltage converters, the heat sink and the fans.

MSI now quotes a price of 1469 euros for the GeForce RTX 5080 Ventus 3X OC –, a surcharge of a good 25 percent. The surcharge is not quite as high for the more expensive versions: The Suprim Liquid SOC with all-in-one water cooling costs 1669 instead of 1539 euros (+8 percent). MSI currently no longer lists RTX 5090 graphics cards.

Asus temporarily offered its ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 in its own webstore for 4900 instead of the self-imposed recommendation of 2949 euros. In the meantime, all models have disappeared from the German webshop.

Prices also increased in the USA

In the USA, both Asus and MSI continue to list their 5000 series graphics cards. The website Techspot lists the increased prices both in its own US webshops and on the online marketplace Newegg. Manufacturers also sell their hardware directly on the latter. The surcharges are approaching 400 US dollars.

The MSI GeForce RTX 5090 Ventus 3X, for example, costs 2400 instead of 1999 US dollars (plus tax). Archived links prove that MSI has subsequently increased the prices. Asus sells the ROG Astral GeForce RTX 5090 in the USA for 3080 US dollars, the equivalent of a good 3500 euros including VAT. Asus is only advertising the Prime GeForce RTX 5080 at the originally planned 1000 US dollars through a discount.

Other manufacturers do not sell their graphics cards directly to end customers. As long as the supply situation is so modest, they are also likely to demand higher prices from intermediaries. In addition, experience has shown that stores keep their hands open.

(mma)