Graphics card prices could see sharp increases in 2026, as new reports suggest both Nvidia and AMD are preparing to raise GPU prices globally amid ongoing memory shortages.
According to a report from South Korean outlet Newsis, cited by @Pirat_Nation, the two semiconductor giants are expected to begin passing rising production costs on to consumers starting early next year. The report claims AMD will initiate price increases in January 2026, while Nvidia is expected to follow in February.
What has alarmed many consumers is the reported pace of these hikes. Rather than a single adjustment, prices could rise repeatedly on a monthly basis, making high-end GPUs increasingly expensive over a short period of time.
One of the most striking claims involves Nvidia’s next flagship consumer graphics card. The RTX 5090, which reportedly launched at an MSRP of $1,999, could climb as high as $5,000 within the first few months of 2026 if the projected increases materialize.
The reported price hikes are tied to a global shortage of memory and RAM, driven largely by surging demand from the artificial intelligence sector. AI data centers continue to consume massive quantities of high-bandwidth memory, placing pressure on supply chains across the semiconductor industry.
While enterprise customers in the AI space are often locked into long-term supply agreements, the report suggests they will still face higher costs as pricing structures are adjusted. Meanwhile, consumers and PC builders could feel the impact most sharply, particularly in the high-end gaming and workstation markets.
Neither Nvidia nor AMD has officially confirmed the reported price increases. However, if the claims prove accurate, 2026 could become one of the most expensive years yet for GPU buyers worldwide.
