The GPU market has seen significant activity this year, with Nvidia introducing the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, RTX 5070 Ti, and RTX 5070 within a two-month span. Concurrently, AMD launched the RX 9070 XT and RX 9070, while Intel debuted the Arc B580 and Arc B570 GPUs. However, the availability of these GPUs has been a pressing issue, with many being sold out or priced excessively. Nvidia claims to have shipped double the quantity of the new Blackwell GPUs compared to the previous Ada series, yet this assertion has raised skepticism due to the comparison metrics used.
Understanding Nvidia’s Claims
Nvidia’s claim about shipping more GPUs is based on a comparison of the initial weeks of releases from both series. The RTX 4090, which launched on October 12, 2022, was the sole product for over a month before the RTX 4080’s arrival. In contrast, the recent RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 launched simultaneously on January 30, 2025, followed by subsequent releases of the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 in February and March respectively. It appears Nvidia is selectively contrasting a single high-end card from the Ada series with multiple models from the Blackwell series, which skews the perspective on unit shipments.
Availability Issues Persist
Despite Nvidia’s assurances, the reality remains that their GPUs are difficult to acquire. Prices across various platforms reflect a marked increase; for instance, the RTX 5070 is listed at $739, while third-party sellers are charging over $900 for the same card. The RTX 5070 Ti starts at around $1,149, and the cost for the RTX 5080 often exceeds $1,609. The situation is no better for AMD’s RX 9070 series, with prices reaching $853 for the RX 9070 and $939 for the RX 9070 XT. The gap between supply and demand indicates a lengthy wait for adequate stock.
Technical Advancements and Marketing Claims
Nvidia has also highlighted advancements in gaming technology, including DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation and improvements with Neural Shading. A demonstration for Half-Life 2 RTX is set for March 18, which is expected to showcase enhanced visuals compared to its original release. While Nvidia’s metrics suggest substantial performance boosts, skepticism remains regarding the authenticity of these claimed improvements, particularly regarding their testing methodologies.
Performance Metrics Under Scrutiny
The RTX Remix toolset update claims to deliver impressive performance enhancements, reporting a substantial increase from 125 FPS to 175 FPS with optimizations. However, the actual performance experience may fall short of expectations, particularly when involving demanding titles. For example, while MFG4X appears to enhance performance, it can also inadvertently lower base frame rates, complicating the overall gaming experience. Using an RTX 5070, users might only achieve around 125 FPS in demanding scenarios, challenging the assumptions surrounding MFG performance.
Market Dynamics and Future Outlook
The current demand for gaming GPUs continues to be overshadowed by the broader market interests in AI and data center applications. Nvidia’s record revenue underscores this shift; as a result, the gaming GPU sector may not see improved supply levels until these market dynamics alter significantly. Until then, consumers may struggle to find GPUs at their intended prices.