Why you should buy a GPU right now
Let’s be real: it wasn’t the best year to buy a GPU. It wasn’t as bad as 2021, but it was still bad.
I won’t say things are perfect now, but for the first time this year, GPU prices aren’t exactly terrible. So, is it finally time to get a new graphics card?
It was a costly year for GPUs
I know, it still does these days
Even though it seems like a lifetime ago, it’s the year that brought us a bunch of new stuff. Nvidia launched the RTX 50 series, and AMD quickly followed with the RX 9000 series. Intel’s budget-friendly but powerful Arc B580 was technically released in late 2024, and the B570 followed in mid-January 2025. It’s been radio silence since.
With so many new GPUs, you would think that after the initial hype, we would be faced with a plentiful GPU market. Lots of options, both current and previous generation, from entry-level to high-end – surely that would give us reasonable prices?
Unfortunately, this never happened. GPUs remained expensive throughout the year.
Prices are finally starting to normalize (sort of)
They really took their time
Things had to get worse before they got better.
AMD’s RX 9070 XT, while excellent, only stayed close to its MSRP for a short time. Even today, eight months after its initial launch, we’re not there yet, but we’re getting closer. Unfortunately, AMD recently reportedly told its board partners that price hikes were on the horizon. So it’s only a matter of time before these increases trickle down to the mainstream market.
It’s only recently that I’ve started regularly seeing cards like the RTX 5070 Ti for sale at MSRP. Some models, like the RTX 5060, have always been available at list price; Meanwhile, the RTX 5090 rarely drops below $2,500.
As of this writing, you can find most of Nvidia’s RTX 50 series GPUs on sale at MSRP. The RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 are the two very expensive exceptions.
AMD’s RX 9070 XT is nearing MSRP and the rest of the lineup is already there.
It will be a while before you get something better
Might as well jump on these GPU deals while you can
It’s not just that prices are finally normalizing; it’s also that it’s the best we’re going to have in a while.
Nvidia is reportedly working on the RTX 50 Super refresh. Some leakers mentioned a potential launch in January 2026, but they have changed their minds. It now appears that the RTX 50 Super won’t arrive until the second half of the year.
It’s hard to say what AMD is planning at this point, but it doesn’t look to me like we’ll be getting new AMD cards in the near future.
As for the next generations of GPUs, they are far, very far away. It’s unlikely we’ll see next-gen cards before 2027.
Latest generation GPUs don’t perform very well
Prices do not add up
In the previous generation of GPUs (i.e. RDNA 3 and RTX 40 series), the previous generations (RDNA 2 and RTX 30 series) remained relevant for a long time.
This time around, manufacturers and retailers have prepared well, so the stock of latest generation cards has been largely exhausted. You can always find them; they are just often expensive.
AMD’s RX 7900 Meanwhile, the last-gen flagship, the RX 7900
Nvidia’s stock of latest generation cards isn’t great, but you can sometimes score a good deal on an RTX 4070 or RTX 4060 Ti. Overall, it’s usually best to buy current generation cards.
Buying used GPUs may be an option, but is now the right time?
It never hurts to look for deals, but…
This time of year is not bad at all if you want to buy a used GPU. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and the holidays approaching, some people will be upgrading their GPU and probably want to get rid of their old card. That said, it’s important to be careful.
Buying a used GPU from online marketplaces can be complicated. Double- and triple-check all prices, seller information, and return policies. If the GPU isn’t much cheaper, you’re better off saving up to buy something new that’s still under warranty.
Don’t wait, because GPU prices could get worse
Here we go again
It’s been a long year for GPUs. We’ve had some great outings, some “meh” outings, and some disappointments. The biggest disappointment of all was the inability to find a GPU at a reasonable price.
Things are finally getting better. You can get most GPUs at the recommended list price, with a few Nvidia outliers still being overpriced. This period of relative calm will not last, however.
The ongoing RAM-pocalypse has sent the market into a new twist in the worst way. RAM isn’t worth buying even during Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, and its prices could rise further. Unfortunately, this also affects the price of VRAM (video memory), meaning GPUs will take a hit as well.
AMD has already reportedly increased its prices and Nvidia is expected to follow suit. Additionally, Nvidia would no longer bundle GPU and VRAM when selling to its board partners. This would leave GPU manufacturers to seek out sources of VRAM themselves, which could make the entire process more expensive or even impossible for smaller vendors.
If you need a GPU, I would buy one now. It’s not a guarantee that prices will increase in the new year, but it seems likely, and we won’t get anything new in the coming months. Take advantage of this lull in the GPU market before things get even worse.
- Graphics RAM size
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16 GB
- Brand
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ColorPower
- Increase clock speed
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2460MHz
AMD’s Radeon RX 9070 XT is a direct competitor to the RTX 5070 Ti. It delivers solid performance and now, for the first time in months, it’s pretty close to its $599 MSRP.
