RTX 50 Series GPUs Closing In On Supplies, Though Prices Are Not Slowing Down
Obtaining NVIDIA's new GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs is becoming easier. Supply chain sources, retailers, and system builders report improved availability, especially for higher-tier configurations. The endgame for supply issues appears imminent.
Signs of Greater Availability
Proof of inventory recovery is emerging. Hand-built PC makers like Falcon Northwest note dramatically reduced lead times for PCs with RTX 50 series cards. Major internet retailers such as Newegg are listing various RTX 5080 models as in stock, a change from previous "out of stock" listings.
The Residual Problem: Outrageous Prices
Improved availability has not yet lowered prices. RTX 5080 and 5090 cards are available, but expect to pay prices exceeding NVIDIA's suggested retail price (MSRP). This remains a significant concern for customers.
Consumer pushback against excessively priced models is speculated. Initial sales of hyper-premium cards like the ASUS ROG ASTRAL RTX 5090, launched over $3700, suggest potential backlash against perceived price inflation.
What Does the Future Hold
NVIDIA indicated supply improvements in the second quarter. Continued inventory increases could lead to price stabilization and eventual decline as demand is met. Currently, buying an RTX 50 series card is more feasible, but high prices persist. Patience may be necessary for those seeking MSRP-level pricing.
Buyer Beware: Some ZOTAC RTX 5090s May Have Reduced Performance
A potential issue affects RTX 5090 buyers. Reports indicate some ZOTAC RTX 5090 units may have fewer Render Output Units (ROPs).
What's the Problem
Standard RTX 5090 GPUs include 176 ROPs. Some cards, notably certain ZOTAC versions, contain only 168 ROPs. NVIDIA estimates this affects under one percent of cards, but potentially thousands of "nerfed" GPUs exist.
ROPs handle the final stages of image rendering. Fewer ROPs can reduce performance. Benchmarks show performance losses from 4-5% to as high as 11% in some games on affected cards compared to regular cards.
Spotted in the Wild
Identifying these cards is difficult. A German retailer, "Alternate," temporarily listed a ZOTAC GeForce RTX 5090 SOLID OC card as "B-Stock" with 168 ROPs in the product description. Image Credit: videocardz.com captured the original listing.
Even acknowledging the defect, the card was priced at €2,899 (about $3136 USD), exceeding the MSRP for a fully functional RTX 5090. The listing was later modified, removing ROP count details while maintaining the high price. The sale status of the 168 ROP unit is unclear.
What Can Buyers Do
Paying premium prices for potentially inferior GPUs is undesirable. While highlighted in ZOTAC RTX 5090s, earlier reports suggested RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti might also be affected. Buyers lack easy ways to verify ROP counts unless retailers disclose it, which is unlikely.
Buyers should be cautious, especially with ZOTAC RTX 5090s or heavily discounted high-end cards. Verifying model numbers and seeking retailer clarification might be advisable, though guarantees are limited.
That Escalated Quickly: $3700 ASUS RTX 5090s Vanish From Shelves
Stacks of expensive ASUS ASTRAL LC RTX 5090 graphics cards, priced at $3,719, were observed unopened at a Dallas Microcenter. This price, nearly double the base RTX 5090 MSRP, seemed excessive even for a top-tier, factory-overclocked, liquid-cooled card.
A Surprising Turn of Events
Despite initial consumer hesitation to radical pricing, all ASTRAL LC cards at that Microcenter sold out. Someone was willing to pay the markup. The price was also significantly higher than ASUS's $3,409 recommended retail price for this model, raising questions about retail markups on top of already high manufacturer prices.
Broader Context: Other RTX 50 Series Cards
The same report noted numerous RTX 5080 models in stock, likely also priced above MSRP, contributing to their continued availability. RTX 5070 Ti and 5070 supply is also robust, but often marked up significantly.
The sell-out of the expensive ASTRAL cards is unexpected. Initial reluctance and the eventual sales highlight the ongoing tension between GPU demand, supply, and rising high-end gaming hardware costs.
