The nightmare could finally be over for people wanting to buy a new graphics card, as after a spate of rumors suggesting that GPU prices could soon be falling, we’re now actually seeing the proof, with the price of the mighty Nvidia RTX 3080 dropping by a huge 35% overnight.
While the price drop was spotted in Australia, where the high-end GPU’s price fell from AU$2,299 (around $1,700 / £1,300) to AU$1,499 (around $1,100 / £850), this could be a positive sign that prices elsewhere will begin to drop.
The RTX 3080 was one of the most in-demand GPUs of the past few years, so it’s reassuring to see its price dropping, and it could mean that this difficult period of inflated GPU prices and low stock is at an end.
However, does this mean you should rush out and buy one? Maybe not.
GPU pricing is falling off a cliff right now. Locally the “ASUS GeForce RTX 3080 TUF Gaming OC” was $2299 yesterday, today a few retailers have slashed it to $1499 AUD. That’s 35% off over night.(kick in the capacitors if you bought one yesterday)March 15, 2022
Analysis: A bad time to buy
(Image credit: Victority / Shutterstock)
We don’t blame anyone who has been waiting for two years to grab a graphics card now that prices are falling, but we actually recommend caution. This is still a bad time to buy a GPU.
For a start, while prices are beginning to drop, it may take a while for graphics cards to actually be sold at their original MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price). GPU prices were so high, that they will need to drop before they are actually at the price they were supposed to be.
Both Nvidia and AMD are rumored to be launching next-generation graphics cards later this year, along with Intel, which is entering the market with its own discrete gaming GPUs.
This means the latter part of this year could be an exciting time for graphics cards, with a host of powerful new GPUs coming out. If you splash out on a GPU now, you may regret it if these new graphics cards bring even better performance. Without the stock issues, these new GPUs may also launch at more realistic prices.
On the other hand, if you have the money, then maybe it is worth buying a GPU now, as you’ve waited all this time, and it’ll allow you to play the latest games with all the graphical bells and whistles you’ve been missing out on.
To help you pick, these are the best GPUs of 2022
Via Wccftech