A leaked listing from a Chinese retailer has sent shockwaves through the tech world, suggesting that NVIDIA’s upcoming GeForce RTX 50 series GPUs, codenamed Blackwell, could see a significant price increase compared to the current generation. The listing shows the RTX 5090 priced at a staggering 18,999 yuan (approximately $2,600), while the RTX 5080 is listed at 9,999 yuan (approximately $1,350). This potential price hike has sparked heated discussions among gamers and tech enthusiasts, with many wondering if the performance gains will justify the increased cost.
This news comes just weeks before NVIDIA’s anticipated CES 2025 keynote, where the company is expected to officially unveil its next-generation graphics cards. While the authenticity of the leaked listing cannot be definitively confirmed, it aligns with recent rumors and trends in the GPU market, suggesting that these prices might be a grim reality for consumers.
What we know so far:
- Leaked Listing: A screenshot allegedly from a Chinese retailer’s internal system shows the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 listed with significantly higher prices than their predecessors.
- Potential Price Hike: The listed prices suggest a 46% increase for the RTX 5090 and a 5% increase for the RTX 5080 compared to the RTX 4090 and 4080’s launch prices in China.
- Blackwell Architecture: The RTX 50 series is expected to be based on NVIDIA’s new Blackwell architecture, promising significant performance improvements and new features.
- CES 2025 Unveiling: NVIDIA is expected to officially announce the RTX 50 series at CES 2025 in early January.
Why the Price Hike?
Several factors could contribute to the potential price increase. Firstly, the ongoing global chip shortage and rising production costs have impacted the entire tech industry. Secondly, the Blackwell architecture is rumored to be significantly more complex than previous generations, potentially leading to higher manufacturing costs. Finally, NVIDIA might be positioning the RTX 50 series as even more premium products, targeting enthusiasts and professionals willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge performance.
Analyzing the Leaked Prices
The listed price for the RTX 5090, 18,999 yuan, converts to roughly $2,600. This represents a 46% increase compared to the RTX 4090’s launch price of 12,999 yuan in China. Even considering China’s 13% VAT, the price translates to around $2,200, still significantly higher than the RTX 4090’s US MSRP of $1,599.
The RTX 5080 is listed at 9,999 yuan, a more modest 5% increase over the RTX 4080’s 9,499 yuan launch price in China. However, this still translates to about $1,350, which is higher than the RTX 4080’s $1,199 US MSRP.
It’s important to note that these are prices from a single Chinese retailer and might not reflect the final MSRP in other regions. However, they provide a glimpse into the potential pricing strategy for NVIDIA’s next-generation GPUs.
Performance Expectations and Justification
While the potential price hike is undoubtedly concerning, it’s crucial to consider the expected performance gains. The Blackwell architecture is rumored to deliver a significant leap in performance, potentially exceeding the performance gains seen between previous generations. Early rumors suggest that the RTX 5090 could be up to twice as fast as the RTX 4090 in certain workloads.
If these rumors hold true, the increased performance might justify the higher price for some users, especially professionals and enthusiasts who demand the best possible performance. However, for the average gamer, the price-to-performance ratio might be a crucial factor in deciding whether to upgrade.
My Perspective
As a long-time PC gamer and hardware enthusiast, I’ve witnessed the rising trend of GPU prices over the years. While I’m excited about the potential performance gains of the RTX 50 series, I’m also concerned about the potential impact of these high prices on the PC gaming community.
I believe that high-end GPUs should be accessible to a wider audience, not just a select few. I hope that NVIDIA will consider the feedback from the community and offer more competitive pricing options for its next-generation GPUs.
The leaked listing has undoubtedly fueled anticipation for NVIDIA’s CES 2025 keynote. We can expect more concrete information about the RTX 50 series, including official specifications, pricing, and release dates. Until then, it’s essential to approach these leaks with cautious optimism and wait for official confirmation from NVIDIA.
Key Takeaways:
- Leaked listing suggests a potential price hike for the RTX 5090 and RTX 5080.
- The RTX 5090 could be priced around $2,600, while the RTX 5080 could be around $1,350.
- The price increase could be attributed to several factors, including the global chip shortage, increased production costs, and the complexity of the Blackwell architecture.
- The expected performance gains from the Blackwell architecture might justify the higher price for some users.
- NVIDIA is expected to officially announce the RTX 50 series at CES 2025.
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