Both AMD and Nvidia will raise GPU prices starting early 2026, with multiple increases expected throughout the year. AMD’s Radeon cards increase first in January, followed by Nvidia’s GeForce lineup in February—driven by the global DRAM shortage as AI infrastructure devours memory supply and fixed-price memory contracts expire.
GPU Price Increase Timeline & Impact
Pricing Changes
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| AMD Price Hike | January 2026 start, +$20 for 8GB / +$40 for 16GB (first wave) |
| Nvidia Price Hike | February 2026 start, multiple increases expected |
| Total 2026 Increase | Up to +$85 for 16GB / +$45 for 8GB by year-end |
| Root Cause | DRAM shortage (AI demand), fixed contracts expiring |
| DRAM Price Surge | +123% in 2025, another +45% expected in 2026 |
| Memory Costs | GPU + VRAM = 80% of total GPU manufacturing cost |
Why Prices Are Rising Now
Fixed-term memory contracts negotiated through 2025 kept GPU pricing stable during Q4 2025. These agreements expire as 2026 begins, exposing AMD and Nvidia to skyrocketing GDDR6 and GDDR7 spot market prices—which have surged nearly 200% as AI data centers consume memory production capacity.
DRAM manufacturers shifted priorities toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI accelerators, leaving consumer memory in short supply. Memory procurement costs now represent 80% of total GPU production expenses, making price increases unavoidable.
AMD’s Immediate Impact
AMD announced at least 10% price increases to supply partners, with the first wave bringing $20 hikes for 8GB cards (like RX 9060) and $40 increases for 16GB models (RX 9070 XT). Throughout 2026, prices could rise an additional $65 for 16GB cards, totaling $85+ increases from current levels.
The RX 9000 series just stabilized near MSRP after launch, but these hikes push prices back above recommended retail—frustrating gamers who waited for availability improvements.
Nvidia’s February Rollout
Nvidia‘s fiscal year starts February 2026, aligning with when AIB partners expect official price increase notifications. Some manufacturers already implemented small December adjustments, but the comprehensive hike arrives in Q1 2026.
The RTX 50 series, barely four months old by February, faces price increases instead of the typical post-launch discounts—unprecedented for modern GPU generations.
Multiple Increases Throughout 2026
Board Channels reports this isn’t a one-time adjustment. Both companies plan monthly incremental increases throughout 2026, allowing markets to absorb changes gradually while tracking memory cost fluctuations.
Industry analysts warn memory prices may not stabilize until late 2026 or early 2027, meaning GPU pricing pressure persists for at least 12-18 months.
What Gamers Should Do
Buy now if upgrading soon: Prices only worsen as 2026 progresses. Current near-MSRP pricing represents the last opportunity before systematic increases.
Consider previous-gen alternatives: RTX 40 and RX 7000 series inventory faces similar hikes but may clear at competitive prices as retailers prioritize newer stock.
Monitor used markets: Tech enthusiasts selling current GPUs before upgrades may offer better value than new cards facing multiple price increases.
The DRAM crisis fundamentally reshapes PC gaming economics for the next 12-24 months, with Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney calling memory prices “a real problem for high-end gaming for several years.”
