Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti Price Gouging: A “GPU Screwjob” for PC Gamers

Nvidia’s new RTX 5070 Ti has generated excitement among graphics card enthusiasts, but its launch pricing is a far cry from the hype. The card’s scarcity and popularity have led to inflated prices, with some variants fetching over $1,000, making it a “GPU screwjob” for PC gamers.

The Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti is a third-tier graphics card based on the same GB203 GPU as the RTX 4070 Ti Super. While its launch price of $749 seems reasonable, most versions will retail for significantly higher, with some set by manufacturers at over $1,000. The MSI RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Trio OC Plus, for example, costs $970 and performs similarly to a lower-priced variant.

The high prices are largely due to the limited stock allocation and the manufacturers’ desire to capitalize on the card’s scarcity. PC gamers will bear the brunt of these price increases, with no clear solution in sight. The situation is reminiscent of previous GPU crises, where retailers and scalpers took advantage of the market’s demand.

The author hopes for a Founders Edition version to help alleviate some of the pressure, but it would likely sell out quickly. In the meantime, gamers must navigate the inflated pricing landscape, which can be frustrating given the card’s potential performance.

While overclocking may bring the RTX 5070 Ti closer to the gaming performance of higher-end cards like the RTX 5080, its base price remains high. PC gamers are advised to exercise caution and wait for prices to stabilize before making a purchase.

Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/the-grotesque-price-gouging-of-the-rtx-5070-ti-is-turning-this-launch-into-the-blackwell-gpu-screwjob