Graphics card prices are dropping

Limited production capacity and higher demand are two underlying reasons for the apparent shortage of graphics cards, which has been a fact since AMD and Nvidia last autumn lifted the cover of the Radeon RX 6000 and Geforce RTX 3000 families, respectively. A place in a long queue list or quick buy finger has so far been the methods for getting hold of the new cards.

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When it comes to the target prices communicated by the two companies, these have in practice only applied to very limited volumes, while both stores and the second-hand market have reached significantly higher levels. German 3DCenter has for several months kept an eye on the price picture for graphics cards in German stores, and now it is reported that prices seem to be looking down.

The technology site shapes the development in a line diagram where reflections in both AMD’s and Nvidia’s latest series can be seen. Each data point is an average based on the relationship between the lowest price and the target price for each model, which is why the trend does not apply to all graphics cards in a series to the same extent. Specifically, 3DCenter looks at the Radeon RX 6900 XT, RX 6800 XT, RX 6800 and RX 6700 XT, alongside Geforce RTX 3090, RTX 3080, RTX 3070, RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3060 and the new additions RTX 3080 Ti and RTX 3070 Ti – which for obvious reasons are only included in the most recent data point.

The graph shows that AMD cards peaked at the beginning of May, with an average price of just over double the target price. Nvidia’s top listing is three times the target price and will be visible in mid-May, but 3DCenter now believes that the levels are at a relatively modest 81 and 91 percent higher than recommended. It is worth keeping in mind that Nvidia’s sharp price range is reinforced by the fact that the two newly launched Ti-marked cards in connection with releases were sold at a target price, in small volumes.

In tabular form, 3DCenter presents the development for each graphics card and also scores the availability. On the AMD side, the Radeon RX 6900 XT and RX 6700 XT stand out as having prices closest to those recommended, with a surcharge of 59 and 67 percent, respectively. The top cards Geforce RTX 3090 and RTX 3080 Ti stand out in the green camp, with 40 and 32 percent above the target price. In terms of accessibility, Nvidia is considered to have an edge, but it is still a difficult challenge to get over a graphics card without luck or a queue.

It remains to be seen whether the declining price trend will also find its way to the Swedish market in the future, and whether it will continue. Earlier reports from both analysts and Nvidia suggest poor access for the rest of the year, while Asrock recently presented a more optimistic forecast of cheaper graphics cards for the third quarter of the year.

Have you got a graphics card of the latest cut? How close to the target price did the bill land on? Share the comment thread!