Graphics card prices have reached their worst point in a year, according to a year-long analysis of the GPU market. Since August 14, 2025, the cheapest available prices for new, in-box GPUs from major manufacturers like Nvidia, AMD, and Intel have seen substantial increases. This tracking methodology focused on identifying the lowest retail prices from reputable sellers.

Initially, in August 2025, the market was characterized by low stock and high demand, pushing prices well above MSRPs. This situation persisted until a brief period in October when most GPUs, excluding the flagship RTX 5090, were available at or below their suggested retail prices. However, this reprieve was short-lived, as prices began to climb again after the Black Friday sales in late November, a trend attributed to a developing memory crisis impacting the GPU market.

The RAMpocalypse and Its Impact

The memory crisis significantly affected the GPU market, leading to a steady rise in graphics card prices throughout the new year. While individual GPU prices fluctuated, the overall trend saw a plateau for most of the year. Notable exceptions include the RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 Ti, which reached price points that made them inaccessible to the majority of PC gamers.

This relative price stability was disrupted recently, with significant price increases observed in Nvidia's mid-range offerings. The RTX 5070, which had been hovering around its MSRP, has seen its price surge to $700, $755, and even $800. This jump is particularly concerning for a GPU positioned as a mid-tier option. The RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB has followed suit, experiencing a 51% price increase.

Recommendations for Gamers

Given the current market conditions, a strong recommendation is being made for PC gamers to avoid Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs with more than 8 GB of VRAM, as their pricing has rendered them irrelevant for many consumers. In contrast, AMD's RDNA 4 cards, specifically the 12 and 16 GB Navi 48-based models like the RX 9070 GRE, RX 9070, and RX 9070 XT, remain priced more sensibly and are currently below the elevated price of the RTX 5070.

Despite these observations, the top five Nvidia GeForce GPUs are now priced at $650 or above, a figure considered excessively high for components like the RTX 5060 Ti. Looking ahead, the market anticipates potential 'Super' refresh models for the RTX Blackwell range, which may offer VRAM upgrades but are expected to come with further price increases, such as an RTX 5080 Super at $1,499 and an RTX 5070 Ti Super at $1,200. The trend suggests a continued challenging environment for consumers seeking affordable graphics card upgrades.