AMD Graphics Card Prices on the Rise Amid RAM Cost Increases
In a development that has caught the attention of the gaming community, whispers are circulating regarding a potential price hike for AMD graphics cards. This speculation appears to stem from escalating RAM prices, which could compel AMD to adjust its pricing strategy for its suppliers. As a result, consumers may soon find themselves facing increased costs for their beloved AMD graphics cards.
Recent reports suggest that AMD’s price adjustments come shortly after similar rumors concerning its CPUs. This dual increase signals that any significant upgrades within the AMD ecosystem may soon carry a heftier price tag.
The source of this latest information is a post on Boardchannels, a Chinese discussion forum. The user claims that AMD has officially communicated a price increase for its graphics cards, specifically affecting models with both 8GB and 16GB VRAM configurations. According to the post, the suggested price increase is approximately for 8GB cards and for their 16GB counterparts.
It’s important to note that AMD’s business model involves selling GPUs and VRAM as a package. Consequently, board partners such as ASRock, Asus, Gigabyte, and Sapphire focus primarily on the design and sourcing of additional components, leaving AMD responsible for passing on any increased costs associated with RAM.
The post further elaborates that this price adjustment is directly linked to rising memory costs. Additionally, it mentions that AMD has informed its partners of a second price increase across its entire product line. However, the timing of this second increase remains ambiguous—whether it has already been implemented or will occur alongside the aforementioned price hikes is still uncertain. Previous rumors hinted at an impending price increase for AMD GPUs, suggesting that this could be part of a broader trend, potentially adding another 10% to the overall cost of AMD graphics cards.
Interestingly, the same post claims that no new AMD products are expected to launch throughout 2027. This assertion raises eyebrows, as it implies a lengthy hiatus in new product releases. It remains unclear whether this means AMD will introduce new GPUs next year, with no further updates until 2027, or if the company is indeed planning a prolonged absence from the market. Historically, there have been instances where new graphics cards did not debut for 18 months, so a full calendar year could feasibly fall within that timeframe. However, a gap of over two years without new launches would be unprecedented, especially considering it would mark three years since AMD’s last product line introduction.
With significant DRAM price increases looming, it appears that PC upgrades may soon become considerably more expensive. In this context, the prospect of a Steam Machine priced around ,000 might not seem so unreasonable after all.
It is crucial to approach these developments with caution, as AMD has yet to publicly confirm any of this information. For those in the market for CPU and GPU upgrades, it may be wise to seek out bargains sooner rather than later, while keeping in mind that much of this information remains speculative.