The global component crisis continues to impact the tech industry, with graphics cards being one of the hardest-hit products. In China, manufacturers like MSI and PNY have recently announced substantial price increases for their Nvidia RTX 50-series graphics cards, with some models seeing hikes of up to 59% compared to their manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
This trend isn’t limited to Nvidia GPUs; offerings from Intel and AMD are also experiencing similar price surges. The situation underscores the broader challenges facing the tech industry as supply chain disruptions and increased demand for components like VRAM drive up costs.
MSI and PNY raise prices on RTX 50-series GPUs
MSI’s latest price list reveals a stark contrast between old and new prices, with increases ranging from 10% to 20%. Notably, the RTX 5080 Shadow 3X OC/Ventus model has seen the most significant jump, rising from 10,000 Yuan ($1,477) to 12,000 Yuan ($1,773), a 20% increase. Other RTX 5080 variants have also seen hikes of around 18%, while the RTX 5070 Ti Shadow 3X OC now costs 19.5% more.
When compared to the original MSRP, the price increases become even more pronounced. For instance, the RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC is now priced 76% above its MSRP, while the RTX 5090 D V2 is 57.5% higher. The RTX 5080 and RTX 5060 Ti models are up to 56% more expensive, and the RTX 5070 has seen a 42% increase.
Colorful’s price adjustments and market trends
Colorful, another major player in the GPU market, has also adjusted its prices, though the company does not provide old prices for comparison. The RTX 5080 Vulcan W OC is now priced 59% above MSRP, while the RTX 5070 Ti Vulcan W OC is 58.5% higher. The RTX 5070 and RTX 5060 Ti 16GB models are largely under the 50% threshold, with price hikes for the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB and RTX 5060 variants under 30% compared to MSRP.
The price surges are primarily driven by the skyrocketing costs of VRAM which have increased by approximately $20 per module over the past year. This means an 8GB card now costs almost $100 more, a 12GB card about $130 more, and a 16GB card roughly $180 more, just accounting for VRAM price changes. The additional element of supply and demand is further pushing prices higher, with no immediate signs of relief on the horizon.
The broader impact on the GPU market
Online marketplaces in China are also reflecting these price increases, with AMD and Intel GPUs seeing similar trends. AMD’s cards are selling for 14% to 29% higher prices, and Intel’s offerings are seeing bumps of $200 to almost $300. The RX 9060 XT 16GB is particularly affected, with a 28.8% increase compared to its MSRP.
The ongoing component crisis shows no signs of abating, with major companies advising consumers to purchase GPUs now rather than waiting for potential market crashes. As a result, prices are unlikely to decrease in the near future, leaving consumers to grapple with higher costs for essential gaming and computing hardware.
