GPU Supply Tightens Again: Rising Memory Costs Drive Sharp

The pressure is no longer limited to individual GPU models. Graphics memory has become a major industry-wide bottleneck, as memory suppliers continue reallocating production capacity toward higher-margin AI and server applications. GDDR6 production is being reduced, while GDDR7 output also remains constrained, keeping graphics memory prices on an upward trend. 

The impact is particularly severe for selected GeForce RTX 50 Series models, including RTX 5090, RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, while older GDDR6-based products such as the RTX 3050 are also facing increasing cost pressure. Intel Arc A310 and A380 are facing additional uncertainty from intermittent GPU chip allocation.

• GeForce RTX 50 Series: Sharp Price Increases 

RTX 5090, RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti 16GB have experienced some of the most significant price increases and supply pressure. RTX 5080 pricing has also increased, but its supply remains relatively more stable compared with the affected Ti models. The current market situation is increasingly SKU-dependent, making pricing and availability difficult to predict. For new projects, RTX 5080 is therefore recommended as a more practical option where higher performance and relatively stable supply are required. 

• GeForce RTX 3050 Is Also Affected by GDDR6 Tightness 

 Supply pressure is also extending to older-generation graphics cards. Recent channel price adjustments have included the RTX 3050 6GB, despite its position as an entry-level product. The increase is mainly associated with higher GDDR6 costs and tightening graphics-memory supply. This means that moving from RTX 50 Series to an older GeForce generation does not completely eliminate supply and cost risk. 

 • Intel Arc A310 / A380: Increasing Allocation Uncertainty 

 Supply uncertainty is also appearing in the Intel Arc ecosystem. According to recent AIB partner feedback, Arc-series GPU chip allocation has at times been interrupted for several months, making A310 and A380 availability increasingly difficult to forecast. Both A310 and A380 also use GDDR6 memory, adding further cost exposure amid the tightening graphics-memory market. However, the primary supply concern currently reported by AIB partners is GPU chip allocation uncertainty. For long-term projects, chip allocation and actual AIB availability should therefore be confirmed before customer commitment.

For projects originally considering RTX 5060 Ti 16GB or RTX 5070 Ti 16GB, we recommend evaluating RTX 5080 instead, due to the extremely tight chip supply of RTX 50 Series Ti models and the relatively more stable availability of RTX 5080.

The RX 9060 XT 16GB currently offers relatively better availability than the most constrained GeForce models, particularly RTX 5090, RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, making it a practical mainstream alternative. However, Radeon is not completely immune to rising memory costs. The RX 9060 XT 16GB is currently priced approximately 28% above global MSRP, although the increase remains considerably lower than the most heavily affected GeForce models. The product uses 16GB GDDR6.

For high-memory AI and professional applications, SAPPHIRE Radeon AI PRO R9700 and R9700S Passive provide 32GB GDDR6, offering an alternative to high-priced GeForce solutions. While GDDR6 cost pressure remains an industry-wide concern, current availability is relatively better than the most constrained high-end GeForce products. Supply should still be confirmed project-by-project before customer commitment.

For the Advantech 25GbE adapters listed below, the corresponding E835 models provide the most direct migration direction while maintaining the same port-count class.