NVIDIA’s mid-range RTX 50 graphics cards are facing a bit of a delay in their production schedule due to a shortage of chips. This situation arises just as the demand for these components is reaching an all-time high.
NVIDIA’s rollout of the RTX 50 series has been less than smooth, particularly when it comes to stocking up on its high-end models like the GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080. The underlying issue here is the soaring global demand for semiconductors, which isn’t likely to ease up anytime soon.
Renowned industry insider, Ming-Chi Kuo, has indicated that NVIDIA plans to postpone the launch of its mid-range RTX 50 series by about a month. This delay is intended to offer some relief to the overwhelmed supply chain.
Gaming enthusiasts and professional users are itching to get their hands on the RTX 5090 and 5080. However, the limited supply of key components is making these GPUs hard to come by. As a result, the production schedule for the RTX 5070 and 5060 is now expected to be pushed from its original February or March window to March or April. The scarcity of these GPUs means they might sell out quickly upon release.
In an article earlier today, we delved into this very topic, discussing how NVIDIA’s inability to meet the current demand for their GPUs is leading to stock shortages. The introduction of new models without resolving these shortages might only add to consumer frustration.
To put the supply chain struggles into perspective, X user kakashiii111 reports that Taiwan – a key market for NVIDIA – received fewer than 100 units of the RTX 5090. This scenario is echoed in various other regions where vendors have noted having “single-digit” inventories of the flagship RTX Blackwell GPU. NVIDIA’s grapple with balancing supply and demand is far from over, and it’s likely to take months before the situation stabilizes.
By holding off on the mid-range GPU release, NVIDIA might strategically divert attention from AMD’s upcoming RX 9070 series GPUs. However, the current sentiment suggests that AMD is in a strong position to capture a larger share of the mainstream GPU market, especially if NVIDIA can’t turn its fortunes around soon.