The much-anticipated launch of NVIDIA’s RTX 5000 series has left many gamers and PC enthusiasts frustrated. Despite the hype, the RTX 5090 is nowhere to be found in India, and even in the US, it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on one.
So, what’s causing this GPU drought? Let’s break it down.
Why is the RTX 5000 Series Unavailable?
There are three key reasons why the RTX 5000 series is facing supply issues:
1. Yield Issues
The RTX 50 series GPUs are built on the same 5nm process as the previous RTX 40 series. Some speculate that TSMC, NVIDIA’s chip manufacturer, might be experiencing production issues.
But here’s the catch—if TSMC had serious yield problems, we would’ve seen similar shortages with the RTX 40 series. Since that didn’t happen, manufacturing issues may not be the main reason for the supply constraints. However, the semiconductor industry operates behind closed doors, so we may never know the full story.
2. US Export Restrictions
Another major factor is the US government’s AI Diffusion Law. This law restricts the export of high-end GPUs to certain countries that are considered a risk to US interests—mainly China and Russia.
To put it simply, the US wants to prevent advanced AI chips from reaching China. However, there are concerns that companies are rerouting these GPUs through third-party countries, like Singapore, to bypass the restrictions.
As a result, the US is implementing stricter “Know-Your-Customer” (KYC) regulations to track where these GPUs are actually going. Until these measures are in place, NVIDIA’s latest GPUs are unlikely to leave the US in large numbers.
3. Chinese New Year Production Slowdown
The timing of the RTX 5000 launch coincided with Chinese New Year. Since most factories in Taiwan and China shut down during this period, production has temporarily slowed. This only worsens the already high demand for GPUs.
What Happens Next?
The launch of the RTX 5080 has been a bit underwhelming, with mixed reviews from both gamers and professionals. Many are holding out for price drops or the release of the more powerful RTX 5090. It’s understandable, given that many were hoping for more performance gains or better value for their money with this new series.
It’s no secret that the GPU market has been facing major challenges, especially since the crypto boom in 2021. Back then, prices for graphics cards reached sky-high levels due to soaring demand. For example, the RTX 3080, originally priced at $699, was selling for upwards of $1,500 in some regions, due to supply shortages and high demand. It wasn’t just crypto miners driving these prices up—gamers and content creators were also competing for limited stock.
While the market did experience a small cooldown in late 2022, the launch of the RTX 5000 series has proven that the demand for powerful GPUs remains relentless. In fact, things might get worse before they get better as the industry struggles to meet consumer needs.
For those who need a GPU urgently, the best bet may be to buy whatever is available. Prices will likely remain high in the short term, and with the ongoing chip shortages, it’s tough to predict when stock will stabilize.
Ultimately, we’ll have to wait and see how NVIDIA responds to the current market climate and how prices evolve in the coming months.
What do you think about the RTX 5000 series launch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! And if you’ve been eyeing GPUs since 2021, how have you felt about the rollercoaster ride of prices?
