RTX 5090 prices double in a year as AI demand drives GPU shortage
The RTX 5090, launched at $1,999, now sells for at least $5,000 in North America, with some models reaching $6,000. European prices have similarly doubled, with the cheapest German listing at roughly $5,620. The surge is attributed to AI-driven demand, impacting the entire RTX 50-series lineup.
The price surge extends across Nvidia's entire Blackwell lineup, not just the flagship. The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB has risen 77% above its launch price, while the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti each sit roughly 50% higher than MSRP. Even the budget RTX 5050 carries a 20% premium, bringing the family's average markup to about 60%.
The root cause traces to component shortages. Memory and storage prices have climbed dramatically over the past year, with RAM costs rising 500%, as manufacturers divert supply toward enterprise AI infrastructure rather than consumer products. This squeeze is making DIY PC building increasingly expensive across the board.
This GPU shortage could reshape who can access high-end gaming and creative computing. Enthusiasts and professionals may find themselves priced out of top-tier hardware, potentially widening a digital divide where only well-funded users or organizations can afford cutting-edge performance. The ripple effects could also influence game development priorities, as studios may target lower-spec hardware when a shrinking audience can actually run demanding titles.