Bad news for those eagerly awaiting new graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 5090. According to a recent report by TrendForce, the cost of RAM and graphics cards is set to rise by 3-8% in the coming months, likely impacting those waiting for the new GPUs. Here’s why the tech enthusiasts might need to brace for higher prices.
RAM and GPU Costs to Increase by 3-8%
The reason for this increase isn’t entirely clear, but TrendForce suggests that it stems from rising server demands. The surge in requirements for artificial intelligence and data center servers is pushing up RAM prices. While the demand for VRAM in existing graphics cards remains stable or even declining, new graphics cards that will use GDDR7 RAM are expected to be impacted by this price hike. Furthermore, TSMC is reportedly planning to raise prices to capitalize on Nvidia’s increased profits, which although indirectly, will also contribute to higher GPU costs.
A 3-8% increase in RAM prices might not seem substantial, but for a high-end card like the NVIDIA RTX 5090, any increase is significant. Already anticipated to be expensive, the RTX 5090 could become even more costly, potentially affecting NVIDIA’s graphics card sales.
For NVIDIA to maintain its market dominance, the smart move might be to sacrifice some profit margins to keep the MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price) as initially planned. The RTX 5090, utilizing Micron’s GDDR7 VRAM, is expected to offer speeds of 32Gb/s and a bandwidth of 1.5TB/s, marking a 60% increase in bandwidth and 50% more power efficiency compared to GDDR6.
The RTX 5090 promises over a 30% improvement in gaming performance. Hopefully, this increase in GPU prices won’t dampen too many spirits. It remains to be seen how NVIDIA will respond to maintain its market lead and keep users satisfied.
What do you think about the rising costs of RAM and the upcoming RTX 5090? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
