The recent developments in the graphics card market reveal that ASUS has effectively discontinued two of NVIDIA’s models: the RTX 5070 Ti and the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. This decision stems from ongoing supply challenges related to memory availability.
Supply Challenges Facing NVIDIA’s GPUs
According to a report from Hardware Unboxed, ASUS officially confirmed that the RTX 5070 Ti is experiencing a supply shortage. Consequently, the company has designated the model as “end of life,” ceasing future production. Retailers in Australia have echoed this sentiment, indicating that the RTX 5070 Ti is unavailable through their networks and will likely remain so at least through the first quarter of this year.
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Model Status
Similar to the 5070 Ti, the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is also nearing the end of its production run. ASUS has stated that it will not manufacture this model moving forward, as both GPUs have higher production costs due to their large memory capacity.
The Market Shift: NVIDIA’s Future Focus
- NVIDIA is expected to concentrate on 8GB models including the RTX 5050, 5060, and 5060 Ti.
- The 12GB RTX 5070 will continue to be available.
- Higher-end models like the 5080 and 5090 remain viable, as they can better absorb rising component costs.
While there is speculation that the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti 16GB could return later this year, the outlook appears grim. NVIDIA’s representative indicated that they are working closely with suppliers to ensure memory availability for their GeForce GPU line.
Impact of the AI Boom on Component Production
The recent surge in artificial intelligence has intensified the demand for RAM and other essential components. Memory manufacturers are shifting their focus towards high bandwidth memory for data center clients, which has affected the supply of consumer-grade components.
Some manufacturers, such as Micron Technology, have announced they will limit their consumer product lines to prioritize AI infrastructure. This trend poses a significant challenge for PC enthusiasts who require more than 8GB of VRAM for modern AAA gaming titles.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti 16GB marks a pivotal moment for gamers and PC builders. With the industry currently navigating supply challenges and changing market demands, NVIDIA’s shift towards more accessible models suggests a strategic response to economic pressures within the tech landscape.
