The $5000 GPU Might Actually Be Real

[ad_1] For those who’ve been holding off on a graphics card buy, hoping for higher offers, current reviews recommend that GPU costs may quickly climb considerably. As reported by Korean Tech outlet, Newsis, trade sources point out NVIDIA and AMD are planning worth hikes throughout their graphics card lineups starting early in 2026, probably reshaping the PC-gaming {hardware} market and squeezing budgets for players and creators alike.

<img decoding="async" width="2000" height="1334" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://www.digitaltrends.com/tachyon/2025/01/rtx-5090-review-5.jpg?resize=2000%2C1334" alt="RTX 5090 vs 4090." class="wp-image-3833450"/> Jacob Roach / Digital Developments

A lot of the chatter facilities on the GeForce RTX 5090, NVIDIA’s present flagship GPU. Initially launched with an MSRP close to $2,000, some reviews now declare costs for this top-tier card might escalate to round $5,000 by subsequent 12 months if the pattern performs out. That might make it one of the crucial costly shopper graphics playing cards ever, about 2.5 occasions its preliminary launch worth.

Why GPU Costs May Rise

On the coronary heart of this strain is a world provide squeeze in reminiscence elements, notably DRAM and high-speed VRAM used on trendy GPUs. Analysts say reminiscence now constitutes a a lot bigger share of GPU manufacturing prices, and shortages or rising pricing there ripple outward to the remainder of the invoice of supplies. This isn’t a one-off prediction; a number of reviews level to cost will increase rolling out regularly by means of January and February and probably persevering with within the months after.

<img decoding="async" width="2000" height="1200" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://www.digitaltrends.com/tachyon/2025/10/Untitled-design-51.jpg?resize=2000%2C1200" alt="NVIDIA RTX 5090" class="wp-image-5545832"/> NVIDIA

For players and PC builders, the implications are clear however combined. On the draw back, new GPU purchases might change into considerably dearer, notably when you had been concentrating on high-end efficiency. Part shortages and worth inflation may imply ready longer for higher offers, or adjusting expectations on which GPUs symbolize the most effective worth. On the plus facet, if worth hikes do materialize, it might enhance the worth of current-generation playing cards already in use or on clearance now. Offers priced under MSRP at this time could look particularly enticing looking back.

<img decoding="async" width="1800" height="1080" data-wp-class--hide="state.isContentHidden" data-wp-class--show="state.isContentVisible" data-wp-init="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async--click="actions.showLightbox" data-wp-on-async--load="callbacks.setButtonStyles" data-wp-on-async-window--resize="callbacks.setButtonStyles" src="https://www.digitaltrends.com/tachyon/2025/11/AMD-Radeon-GPU-logo.jpg?resize=1800%2C1080" alt="AMD Radeon GPU logo" class="wp-image-5921752"/> Nikolaos Kofidis / Pexels

Neither NVIDIA nor AMD has formally confirmed broad worth will increase, so there’s nonetheless some uncertainty about precise timing and scale. Nonetheless, earlier reviews did point out that AMD has already knowledgeable its graphics-card board companions that it'll implement a worth improve of at the very least 10% throughout its Radeon GPU lineup because of hovering reminiscence module prices. With reminiscence costs underneath strain and world demand patterns shifting, 2026 is perhaps the 12 months graphics playing cards get notably dearer for a lot of patrons.