- NVIDIA is considering reducing GeForce RTX 50 production by 30% to 40% during the first half of 2026.
- The main cause would be the scarcity and increased cost of DRAM and GDDR7 memory, key for graphics cards.
- The first models mentioned in the leaks are the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB, very popular in the mid-range.
- The cut could trigger price increases and limit stock in markets like Europe if demand remains high.
The next generation of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 graphics cards It could arrive in stores in a much more complicated context than expected. Several sources in the Asian supply chain indicate that the company is preparing a significant cut in production of these GPUs from 2026 onwards, motivated by the crisis of DRAM memory and GDDR7 chips.
Although for the moment it is Information not officially confirmedThe reports agree on one idea: NVIDIA would adjust the number of units manufactured to weather a scenario of lack of memory and skyrocketing costsa situation that could be passed on to European users in the form of less stock and higher prices if demand doesn't ease.
A cut of between 30% and 40% in the first half of 2026
Data leaked from specialized manufacturer forums, such as Board Channels, suggests that NVIDIA plans to reduce production of the GeForce RTX 50 series. during the first half of 2026The most frequently repeated figure is a cut of between one 30% and 40% compared to the volume of the first half of 2025This represents a considerable adjustment for a generation that will still be in the midst of its commercial expansion phase.
This movement is described as a defensive measure in response to the DRAM crisisnot as a response to a drop in demand. In other words, the objective would be to avoid an even more aggressive price increase for the RTX 50 and better manage the availability of graphics memory at a time when GDDR7 chips are especially difficult to obtain.
The leaks insist that, if the cuts are limited to those first six months of 2026 And if demand remains at reasonable levels, the impact on the user could be relatively moderate. However, in the case of higher-end models—such as the hypothetical GeForce RTX 5080 and RTX 5090—, it is admitted that the Availability could be further affected, with price fluctuations more visible in store.
Some voices in the industry point out that Cutting production below 50% throughout the year would indeed lead to a much more serious shortage scenario.with price increases that are difficult to avoid even for those who buy in large European markets such as Spain, Germany or France.
The shortage of DRAM and GDDR7, the origin of the problem
At the heart of this whole matter is the global DRAM memory crisisThis type of chip is used in PC RAM modules, graphics card VRAM, and high-performance storage. The strong demand for memory for data centers, artificial intelligence and servers has strained production to the point of leaving less room for the consumer market.
The sources consulted indicate that GDDR7 memory, intended for the RTX 50It is especially difficult to secure in large volumes. The combination of Soaring prices and limited supply This would have led NVIDIA to prioritize which products receive those chips, with the intention of avoid extreme price increases of the GPUs intended for gamers.
Meanwhile, the crisis in standard RAM has also significantly increased the price of PC components. From the manufacturers' perspective, if end users can't afford to upgrade their systems because of memory prices, they simply won't buy more. power supplies, motherboards, processors, or graphics cards at the usual pace. Hence, several industry players consider 2026 a potentially delicate year for hardware sales in general.
Regarding when the situation might improve, there are conflicting opinionsSources at the Sapphire assembly plant point to a possible price stabilization from the second half of 2026While other more pessimistic analyses speak of a crisis that could last until 2028. At the moment, there is not even a single, clear forecast within the industry itself.
RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB, first on the list of cuts
Among all the models in the series, rumors consistently point to two specific cards: the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti and GeForce RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB VRAMVarious Asian sources, such as Benchlife and contacts in the assembly chain, agree that these two GPUs would be the most affected by the initial production cuts.
The choice is not accidental. Both are located in the mid-range and mid-high rangea very attractive segment for those looking for a good price/performance ratio. The RTX 5070 Ti is presented as one of the most affordable options for gaming in 4K resolution with the new generation, while the 16GB RTX 5060 Ti clearly targets the I play at 1440p with plenty of memory available.
Precisely for this reason, part of the community and some specialized media outlets describe the movement as difficult to understand from the user's point of viewBy reducing the availability of these balanced graphics cards, NVIDIA could be indirectly pushing a segment of the market towards [unspecified option]. higher-end and more expensive models, where the profit per unit is higher.
There is also a purely technical explanation: with each RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Enough memory chips are consumed to manufacture two 8GB modelsIn a context of scarcity, focusing production on cards with less VRAM per unit allows for stretching the number of available GPUs somewhat, even if it means sacrificing very attractive options for gamers who want to have plenty of graphics memory.
Potential impact on prices and availability in Europe
Most reports place the initial focus of these cuts on the mainland China marketwhere NVIDIA would adjust supply to its AIC partners (the assemblers that sell the cards under their own brands). The official objective mentioned in these leaks would be better balance supply and demand in an environment of rapid changes in the DIY market.
However, it remains to be seen to what extent this approach will remain restricted to Asia or will also be extended to the other markets, including the European marketIf memory strains persist and overall production declines, it's reasonable to think that stores in Spain and other EU countries They might notice a fairer stock in certain models, especially those with the best value for money.
The final behavior of prices will depend largely on the real demand of the playersIf interest in building or upgrading PCs cools due to the cost of RAM and other components, the impact on consumers' wallets could be lessened. But if the appetite for the new RTX 50 series remains high, a decrease of up to 40% in units manufactured This would translate, sooner or later, into price increases and greater difficulty in finding certain charts.
For now, supply chain sources emphasize that it is Internal plans subject to changeNVIDIA could still adjust its course if the memory situation improves sooner than expected. So far, the company has not made any public statements confirming or denying these developments.
Other decisions regarding the RTX 50 series: connectors and product strategy
Beyond the production numbers, the RTX 50 generation is also generating buzz because changes in the design of some graphicsA striking example is that of ZOTAC, which reportedly opted to recover the 8-pin PCIe power connector In certain mid-range models, such as the RTX 5060, instead of using the 12V-2×6 standard associated with the overheating and reliability issues seen in high-end cards.
This move is interpreted as an attempt to offer an option perceived as safer and more compatible with existing power suppliesThis could be interesting for many European users who don't want to change their PSU every time they upgrade their graphics card. The marketing message for these models emphasizes precisely this point. power stability and ease of upgrade without needing to replace the source.
In parallel, radical ideas have been considered, such as the possibility that NVIDIA sold certain RTX 50 series cards without integrated VRAM memorydelegating the task of acquiring the chips to the assemblers. This option, however, has lost traction for obvious reasons: brands would buy memory at a higher price than NVIDIA and the The final cost to the consumer would be even higher.reducing the appeal of the cards.
Given this scenario, the one that gains the most traction is that of a direct reduction of production as a way to get through the most complicated phase of the DRAM crisis, trying to preserve as much as possible the stability of recommended prices and the profitability of the gaming range.
With all these pieces on the table, the launch and the availability of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 50 It is shaping up to be one of the key themes in PC hardware in 2026: a generation destined to offer more performance and new technologies, but which will have to coexist with a Limited supply due to memory limitations; highly sought-after models like the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti are under pressure. and a European market waiting to see both the stock and the final price it will see in stores.
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