Jack Paul 
Nvidia discontinues mid-range GPU models
Nvidia has reportedly stopped production of its GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti 16GB graphics cards. This comes from a report by Hardware Unboxed, which confirmed with ASUS that both models are now officially end of life. ASUS, being Nvidia’s largest AIB partner, told the outlet it won’t produce or restock these cards anymore.
Retailers across different regions, including Australia and the United States, are already seeing supply dwindle. There aren’t any incoming shipments expected throughout the first quarter, and probably beyond that too. It’s a pretty sudden move, and it’s affecting availability right now.
Prices spike as supply disappears
Prices are shooting up in response to this decision. The RTX 5070 Ti has jumped from $730 to $830 in the US market. In Australia, it went from AU$1,200 to AU$1,400. The 5060 Ti 16GB version has climbed even more dramatically—from $400 to as high as $530 for certain models. Availability is getting worse by the day.
What’s interesting is that this decision seems driven by high VRAM costs and supply chain issues. Nvidia appears to be shifting focus toward 8GB models like the RTX 5060 and 5060 Ti 8GB. This reflects a broader strategy of preserving profit margins while dealing with pricing pressures in GDDR7 memory. The 5070, which has 12GB of VRAM, is still available but facing reduced supply and rising costs too. MSRP units are becoming pretty scarce.
Market shifts and consumer impact
Retailers expect a broad shift back to 8GB GPUs, which frustrates gamers looking for more future-proof options. With the RTX 50 Super series reportedly delayed—or maybe even canceled—due to rising memory costs, Nvidia’s mid-range lineup might soon consist mostly of older 8GB models. That’s not great news for people wanting more VRAM for modern games and applications.
Meanwhile, AMD’s Radeon cards like the RX 7900 XT are climbing in price but haven’t faced the same end-of-life cuts. This gives AMD a chance to gain ground in the $500–$700 price range. RDNA4 cards use cheaper GDDR6 memory, which might allow AMD to maintain supply as Nvidia tightens its offerings.
AMD’s potential opportunity
Still, I think analysts have doubts about whether AMD will fully seize this opportunity. Some retailers even worry that AMD could mirror Nvidia’s playbook and discontinue key models like the RX 7900 XT. That would limit options even further for consumers.
The whole situation creates a difficult market for gamers and PC builders. Prices are going up, choices are narrowing, and the future of mid-range graphics cards with decent VRAM looks uncertain. It’s one of those moments where you wonder if waiting might be the better option, but then again, prices might just keep climbing.
What’s clear is that memory costs are really shaping the GPU market right now. Manufacturers are making tough decisions about what to produce and what to cut. For consumers, it means fewer options at higher prices, which isn’t ideal for anyone building or upgrading a system.