MSRP is basically dead for RTX 50 cards, and NVIDIA just handed board partners the excuse to crank prices way up.
Why GPU prices are about to hurt
Why GPU prices are about to hurt
- NVIDIA is done pretending launch prices matter
- Memory costs are already ugly
- Strategy has shifted toward higher-margin parts
- Cheaper models are getting sidelined
- Board partners relied on something called the Open Price Program
- That program helped AIBs actually sell cards at MSRP
- According to Der8auer, NVIDIA just killed it
- Once that safety net is gone, prices float upward fast
- He says gamers should brace for massive price increases
- Not mild bumps, real jumps
- Without OPP, MSRP becomes more like a suggestion
- Expect this across the entire RTX 50 stack
- ASUS told HUB the RTX 5070 Ti supply was ending
- NVIDIA publicly pushed back on that claim
- Der8auer says the truth is somewhere in the middle
- The RTX 5070 Ti is not dead, just deprioritized
- RTX 5080 delivers more performance
- It uses the same 16 GB of GDDR7 as the RTX 5070 Ti
- Higher price, better margins
- NVIDIA would rather sell fewer expensive cards than more cheaper ones
- RTX 5080 is selling for 1.5x to 2x MSRP
- That is, before any official price hikes
- With focus shifting fully to this tier, prices are unlikely to fall
- Supply pressure only makes it worse
- Expect more 8 GB cards like the RTX 5060 Ti 8 GB
- Lower memory keeps costs down
- Performance expectations drop with it
- Budget buyers get fewer good options
- AMD is also shifting its strategy
- Focus is moving toward 16 GB GPUs
- Examples include Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB and RX 9070 XT
- 8 GB variants are getting less attention
- GPU makers are done chasing value perception
- High-margin SKUs are the priority
- MSRP exists mostly for marketing slides
- Actual prices are set by scarcity and profit goals
- Waiting for MSRP is probably pointless
- Midrange cards are shrinking or getting nerfed
- High-end prices keep climbing unchecked
- The new normal is paying more or settling for less
