Nvidia RTX 5090 & 5080 Price Hikes: What MSI and ASUS Are Telling Us
Hey everyone, it’s no secret that things have been a bit crazy in the PC gaming world lately. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on the latest and greatest GPUs, you might have noticed something: the price tags on the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 have skyrocketed. We’re talking about some serious increases, and today, we’re diving into what’s causing this mess, what it means for you, and how to navigate this market.
The RTX 50 Series Launch: Not Exactly Smooth Sailing
The launch of the GeForce RTX 50 series, featuring the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090, was highly anticipated. These cards promised incredible performance, and boy, did they get everyone excited! Unfortunately, that excitement was short-lived. These cards sold out almost immediately, with many retailers getting only a handful of units, especially of the flagship RTX 5090.
Let’s talk about the original MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price). The RTX 5080 was supposed to start at $999, while the RTX 5090 had an MSRP of $1999. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, those prices were more like a starting point. Scalpers jumped on the opportunity, making the availability situation even worse.
Want to listen instead?
MSI and ASUS Price Hikes: The Nitty-Gritty
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. It turns out that MSI and ASUS, two of the biggest names in the GPU game, have significantly increased their prices. And we’re not talking about a few extra dollars; these are substantial jumps.
MSI Price Hikes
MSI’s US store has increased prices for all its RTX 50 Series GPUs by at least 10%. Here are some specifics:
- The MSI GeForce RTX 5080 16G VENTUS 3X, which was originally priced at $999, now goes for $1,139. That’s a 14% increase.
- The flagship MSI RTX 5080 16G SUPRIM SOC jumped from $1,249.99 to $1,439.99, a 15% increase.
- The MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G VENTUS 3X, an MSRP model, has risen from $1999 to $2,379.99 – that’s a 19% hike.
- The MSI GeForce RTX 5090 32G SUPRIM LIQUID SOC saw an 11% increase, going from $2,499.99 to $2,789.99. This makes its price 40% higher than the MSRP.
ASUS Price Hikes
ASUS isn’t innocent either. They’ve also been raising prices, even after catching flak for their initial high prices. Here are some of the increases:
- The ASUS ROG Astral LC GeForce RTX 5090 32GB GDDR7 OC Edition is now listed at a staggering $3,409.99 – a 70% increase over MSRP.
- Even the TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5080 is now almost 50% more expensive than its original MSRP.
- The Asus PRIME GeForce RTX 5080 16 GB went from $999 to $1,264.99.
- The Asus Astral RTX 5090 increased from $2,799 to $3,079 on Newegg.
Price Hikes at Different Retailers
These price hikes aren’t just limited to the manufacturers’ websites. You’ll also find higher prices at other retailers, such as Newegg, where some of these cards are even more expensive. Some listings show an extra $40 to $60 for the same GPU models.
Why Are Prices So High?
So, what’s the deal? Why are these prices going up like crazy? Well, it seems there are a few factors at play.
- Tariffs on Chinese Goods: President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese imports is likely a big reason. Most graphics cards are assembled and tested in China, so these tariffs directly affect the price.
- Potential Tariffs on Taiwanese Semiconductors: There are also plans to put tariffs on semiconductors from Taiwan, where companies like TSMC make chips. TSMC might increase their prices by up to 15%, which would get passed on to us.
- Supply Chain Issues: We still are seeing some supply chain issues, which are making it harder to get these cards into stores.
- Corporate Greed: Some are also pointing to corporate greed as a factor, suggesting manufacturers are taking advantage of the situation.
The Impact on Your Wallet
These price increases are hitting consumers hard. It’s frustrating for gamers and PC enthusiasts who have been waiting to upgrade their systems. High-end GPUs are now out of reach for many, forcing people to either delay their builds or consider less powerful alternatives.
A Quick Look Under the Hood: RTX 50 Series Specs
Alright, let’s take a quick peek at what makes these GPUs so special, shall we?
RTX 5090
- Based on the Blackwell GB202 GPU
- Features 21,760 shader cores
- Comes with 32 GB of GDDR7 memory
- Has a 512-bit memory interface
- Has a Total Board Power (TBP) of 575W
RTX 5080
- Has a GB203-400 GPU
- Features 10,752 GPU cores
- Includes 16 GB of GDDR7 memory
- Has a 256-bit memory bus
- Has a Total Board Power (TBP) of 360W
GDDR7 Memory
The new GDDR7 memory offers significant improvements, with higher bandwidth and lower latency, which helps with high-resolution gaming and other intense tasks.
Cooling Solutions
Manufacturers have developed advanced cooling solutions, such as MSI’s Hyper Frozr SUPRIM cooling system, to ensure these powerful GPUs don’t overheat. This includes vapor chambers, heat pipes, and axial fans to keep things cool.
Navigating the Mess: What Can You Do?
It’s a tough time to be a PC gamer, but don’t lose hope! Here are some tips to help you navigate the current GPU market:
- Be Patient: It might be best to wait for the market to stabilize.
- Check Multiple Retailers: Don’t just rely on one store. Check different sources to find the best prices.
- Avoid Scalpers: Don’t buy from third-party sellers who are charging ridiculous prices.
- Consider Alternatives: Think about other GPUs like AMD cards, or maybe even previous-generation Nvidia cards.
- Set Realistic Expectations: MSRP is a guideline, and prices might stay inflated for a while.
- Power and Cooling: Keep in mind that these cards are power-hungry and need good cooling.
The Community is Talking
It’s worth noting that many users are expressing frustration on forums and social media due to these price hikes. Many feel that the current situation is unfair to consumers.
Let’s Talk Ethics
We also need to discuss the ethics of these price increases. Are companies doing enough to discourage scalpers? Are tariffs fair to consumers? These are valid questions that we should all be thinking about.
Wrapping Up
Well, there you have it. The price hikes on the MSI and ASUS Nvidia RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 are a real bummer. It’s a mix of tariffs, supply chain issues, and maybe a little bit of corporate greed.
Keep your chin up, do your research, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get your hands on one of these amazing GPUs without breaking the bank.
Now it’s your turn, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
Let me know if you’d like any adjustments or have other questions!
Also Read:
