Memory Shortage Threatens Nvidia RTX 50 Supply: PC Building is at Risk

If 2025 already felt like a difficult year to build or upgrade a PC, new reports suggest the situation could worsen in 2026. Nvidia is reportedly preparing to significantly reduce production of its GeForce RTX 50 series graphics cards in the first half of 2026, with estimates pointing to a 30 to 40 percent cut compared to the first half of 2025. 

The underlying issue is not a lack of demand for gaming GPUs, but a growing global memory shortage driven largely by the explosive growth of artificial intelligence workloads, which are consuming vast amounts of memory and storage across the tech industry (Windows Central).

According to reports originating from Chinese technology forums and later corroborated by outlets such as Benchlife, the shortage is affecting multiple memory types, including GDDR7, which is used in Nvidia’s latest RTX 50 series cards. This pressure is forcing Nvidia to adjust its production strategy as memory becomes harder to source and more expensive. While the company has not officially confirmed these plans, multiple sources indicate that the cuts are real and could have wide ranging consequences for PC gamers and system builders alike (Overclock3D).

The first graphics cards expected to be affected are Nvidia’s midrange models, specifically the GeForce RTX 5070Ti and RTX 5060Ti equipped with 16GB of VRAM. These GPUs are especially important to gamers because they offer enough memory to run modern, high fidelity games without severe compromises, while still being more affordable than flagship cards like the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090. Reducing supply of these models could leave consumers with an uncomfortable choice between underpowered 8GB cards or much more expensive high end options (Windows Central; PCMag).

From a business perspective, the strategy makes sense. The RTX 5060 Ti and 5070 Ti use the same amount of memory as more expensive GPUs, meaning Nvidia could redirect limited GDDR7 supplies toward higher margin products. Reports also note that Nvidia’s RTX PRO lineup, which is aimed at data scientists, developers, and AI professionals, has not been mentioned as part of the planned cuts. These professional GPUs sell at significantly higher prices, and allocating scarce memory to them would maximize profitability during a supply crunch (Overclock3D).

The broader market context adds another layer of concern. Rising DRAM, NAND, and SSD costs are already pushing PC prices upward, which may dampen overall consumer demand for upgrades in 2026. Nvidia’s reduced output could reflect not only supply constraints but also an expectation that fewer people will be able or willing to buy new hardware. While Nvidia is reportedly trying to avoid direct price hikes, board partners facing limited inventory may raise prices to protect their margins, potentially making GPUs even less accessible (PCMag).

There is also speculation that these production cuts could be tied to a delayed RTX 50 Super refresh, which has been rumored for some time. Memory shortages, particularly of newer 3GB GDDR7 modules, may have slowed those plans, with some reports suggesting Nvidia is reserving limited supplies for laptop GPUs instead. Regardless of the exact outcome, the outlook for PC gamers is increasingly uncertain. With memory prices rising and GPU production shrinking, 2026 may bring tighter supply, higher prices, and fewer good options for gamers seeking powerful, reasonably priced graphics cards (PCMag; Overclock3D).

This article was written by the Covertly.AI team. Covertly.AI is a secure, anonymous AI chat that protects your privacy. Connect to advanced AI models without tracking, logging, or exposure of your data. Whether you’re an individual who values privacy or a business seeking enterprise-grade data protection, Covertly.AI helps you stay secure and anonymous when using AI. With Covertly.AI, you get seamless access to all popular large language models - without compromising your identity or data privacy.

Try Covertly.AI today for free at www.covertly.ai, or contact us to learn more about custom privacy and security solutions for your business.  

Works Cited

PCMag. “Nvidia Might Cut RTX 50 GPU Supply by Up to 40% in 2026 Due to Memory Shortages.” PCMag, https://www.pcmag.com/news/nvidia-might-cut-rtx-50-gpu-supply-by-up-to-40-in-2026-due-to-memory-shortages. 

Overclock3D. “Nvidia Plans Heavy Cuts to GPU Supply in Early 2026.” Overclock3D, https://overclock3d.net/news/gpu-displays/nvidia-plans-heavy-cuts-to-gpu-supply-in-early-2026/. 

Windows Central. “NVIDIA Plans to Cut GeForce RTX Production by Up to 40% in Early 2026.” Windows Central, https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/nvidia/nvidia-gpu-production-cut-2026-ai-ram-shortage. 

Nvidia RTX 50 Series Graphics Cards Are Coming. Overclockers UK, https://www.overclockers.co.uk/blog/nvidia-rtx-50-series-graphics-cards-are-coming/. 

Mujtaba, Hassan. “Samsung’s 24 Gb GDDR7 Memory Can Pave the Way For Higher-Capacity Consumer GPUs, Up To 42.5 Gbps Speeds.” Wccftech, 16 Oct. 2024, https://wccftech.com/samsung-24-gb-gddr7-memory-pave-way-higher-capacity-consumer-gpus-up-to-42-5-gbps/.