There is growing concern among gamers and PC enthusiasts as reports suggest a surge in GPU prices, reminiscent of the crypto-boom era. This trend is fueled by escalating DRAM costs, with the potential for significant market implications.
NVIDIA RTX 5070 Series Price Surge in Japan
For those apprehensive about DDR5 price increases, GPUs might be the next hardware to watch. While global GPU prices seem relatively stable, certain regions, particularly Japan, are experiencing a notable uptick. This is largely attributed to a reported shortage in GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory, which is now reflecting in the increased retail prices.
Market analysis indicates the GeForce RTX 5070 series in Japan is facing a sudden price spike. Initially launched at 148,800 Yen, the NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti was available for 126,000 Yen after a few months, although still higher than North American MSRPs. The RTX 5070, which debuted at 108,800 Yen, had dropped to 82,000 Yen before this rise.
The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, the lowest currently priced, is listed at 141,980 Yen, marking an increase of 15,000 Yen in just a week. This translates to approximately US$97, with the Palit RTX 5070 Ti Gaming Pro-S being the only model offered at this rate, while other models start at 148,800 Yen or US$959.
The GeForce RTX 5070 has also witnessed a price rise, albeit not as steep as the Ti variant. It is priced at 94,980 Yen or US$612, still under the official Japanese MSRP, but steadily climbing weekly. In contrast, North American retailers like Amazon offer the GIGABYTE RTX 5070 WINDFORCE OC SFF below MSRP at $539. Securing the RTX 5070 Ti below MSRP remains challenging. The concern is that these pricing trends might spiral into a situation akin to the crypto-era market, with the likelihood appearing increasingly possible.