Graphics card prices in China have experienced a significant jump, driven primarily by the soaring costs of GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory components. The sharp rise in memory prices has pushed GPU makers like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to adjust their pricing, reflecting a persistent shortage and a dramatic increase in DRAM costs.

This price surge affects a broad range of GPUs, with some models, such as the RTX 5090 series, now selling for more than double their original manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP). For example, the RTX 5090D 32GB variant has seen a price increase of over 22%, while the RTX 5090D V2 24GB has risen by nearly 13%, with prices now exceeding $3,500. Similarly, the RTX 5080 and RTX 5070 series GPUs have risen between 16% and 22%.

Mainstream graphics cards have also not escaped these hikes. The RTX 5060 series has seen price increases of around 15%, while the RTX 5050 has climbed more than 13%. AMD Radeon GPUs are similarly affected, with price raises ranging from 14% to nearly 29%. Intel’s Arc series has also experienced price growth, with some models rising from the low $200s to almost $300.

The steep memory cost increases are not limited to DRAM alone; other key components required to manufacture GPUs have also become more expensive, intensifying the overall upward pressure on graphics card prices. The volatility in memory pricing, which changes daily, has made it difficult for manufacturers and retailers to stabilize prices, leading to frequent adjustments in the market.

Retailers and official distributors, such as Colorful in mainland China, have responded by raising their prices significantly, some as much as 40% to 50% on the latest RTX 50 series cards. This reflects the widespread impact of the memory cost surge on pricing strategies across the supply chain.

As GPU prices escalate in China, consumers face higher costs just to access the latest models from major manufacturers, highlighting ongoing challenges in semiconductor supply chains and memory production that continue to ripple across the tech industry.