Global GPU Market Update Analyzing Price Volatility in Q1 2026
The graphics card market has entered a period of significant price inflation as of early 2026. The period from November 2025 until February 2026 showed a 15% increase in global prices for all major manufacturers according to recent pricing data. The AI industry demand and supply shortages are primarily responsible for creating excessive price hikes in certain hardware segments which stem from increasing VRAM expenses.
Nvidia's latest architecture has experienced the most significant price changes. The US market shows stable pricing for entry level models while international markets experience price increases that exceed 10%.
Entry Level RTX 5050 and 5060
The RTX 5050 has risen by 9% on average globally. The increase reached 21% for India and 14% for Germany. The RTX 5060 followed a similar trend with a 13% average increase, though it remains available at MSRP in the US market for the time being.
Mid Range Supply Constraints RTX 5070 Ti
The RTX 5070 Ti is currently one of the most overpriced cards on the market, with a 25% surge since November 2025. The price increased by $190 because Nvidia reduced their production output. Retail inventory shortage will lead to price increases which exceed original manufacturer suggested retail price.
Flagship Inflation RTX 5080 and 5090
The price of RTX 5080 has increased by 25% from its previous value. A card originally intended for the $1,000 bracket is now trending toward $1,250. The price of RTX 5090 has increased by 32% over the past three months. The card transitioned from a high end gaming flagship to an AI professional tool after its price increased by $800.
AMD's pricing strategy appears more restrained compared to Nvidia. AMD has achieved a stable supply chain operation because its RX 9000 series prices increased by 10% yet component costs rose.
- RX 9060 XT (8GB/16GB) These models saw a 13% to 14% increase. The price in many regions returned to its original MSR worth after selling at a discount throughout late 2025.
- RX 9070 & 9070 XT Both models increased by a modest 7% on average. The retail price increased by $40 to $50 because retailers passed on their higher VRAM expenses to customers.
Intel's Battlemage (B series) remains the least affected by current market trends. The Arc B570 actually saw price decreases in half of the tracked regions making it a rare example of a component becoming more affordable in 2026. The Arc B580 GPU rose by an average 11% which is still lower than the mid range GPU market average.
GPU prices have increased by 15%, which remains significant but less severe than price increases for other PC components. The period from November 2025 until February 2026 showed the following price increases
- SSD Prices Increased by over 70%
- DDR5 Memory Increased by approximately 40%
- Graphics Cards Increased by 15%
The data suggests a tiered shift in the market. A budget of $1,000 could obtain an RTX 5080 in late 2025, but that money now buys only an RTX 5070 Ti. AMD and Intel provide customers with better pricing stability than their competitors. The current prices may act as a temporary price floor because businesses will replace older inventory with new stock which contains more expensive VRAM.
Source: Techspot
