The Great RAMageddon of 2026: How to Find an Affordable GPU Amidst Widespread Shortages
For many gamers and computer enthusiasts, 2026 has brought significant challenges in finding affordable graphics cards due to widespread shortages. The situation is so dire that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find GPUs at their recommended prices.
To illustrate the severity of this issue, consider the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti 16GB models from ASUS, which were recently placed into "end-of-life status" by the manufacturer due to memory shortages. While NVIDIA initially disputed these claims, it has since confirmed that memory supply constraints are a significant problem.
As a result, prices for popular GPUs have skyrocketed. For example, the RTX 5070 is currently impossible to find at its MSRP of $749, with the most affordable version available on Newegg priced at $1,199. The same situation applies to other high-end models like the RX 9070 and 9070 XT.
So, what's a gamer or PC builder to do? If you're still using an older GPU that meets your needs, it may be best to stick with it for now. Upgrading might not be worth the hassle and expense of trying to find a new card at a reasonable price.
If you need better performance but can't afford to spend top dollar on a new graphics card, consider looking into models with at least 12GB of VRAM or 16GB if your budget allows for it. This will ensure that you're not sacrificing too much in terms of performance when upgrading from an older model.
In terms of specific recommendations, AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT is currently one of the best mainstream options available, despite being priced slightly above its MSRP of $350. For NVIDIA fans, the GeForce RTX 5070 offers a balance between price and performance, although it comes with only 12GB of VRAM.
Ultimately, finding an affordable GPU in 2026 requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to consider alternatives to top-of-the-line models. By following these tips and staying informed about market trends, you can navigate the Great RAMageddon of 2026 and find a graphics card that meets your needs without breaking the bank.
For many gamers and computer enthusiasts, 2026 has brought significant challenges in finding affordable graphics cards due to widespread shortages. The situation is so dire that it's becoming increasingly difficult to find GPUs at their recommended prices.
To illustrate the severity of this issue, consider the RTX 5070 Ti and 5060 Ti 16GB models from ASUS, which were recently placed into "end-of-life status" by the manufacturer due to memory shortages. While NVIDIA initially disputed these claims, it has since confirmed that memory supply constraints are a significant problem.
As a result, prices for popular GPUs have skyrocketed. For example, the RTX 5070 is currently impossible to find at its MSRP of $749, with the most affordable version available on Newegg priced at $1,199. The same situation applies to other high-end models like the RX 9070 and 9070 XT.
So, what's a gamer or PC builder to do? If you're still using an older GPU that meets your needs, it may be best to stick with it for now. Upgrading might not be worth the hassle and expense of trying to find a new card at a reasonable price.
If you need better performance but can't afford to spend top dollar on a new graphics card, consider looking into models with at least 12GB of VRAM or 16GB if your budget allows for it. This will ensure that you're not sacrificing too much in terms of performance when upgrading from an older model.
In terms of specific recommendations, AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT is currently one of the best mainstream options available, despite being priced slightly above its MSRP of $350. For NVIDIA fans, the GeForce RTX 5070 offers a balance between price and performance, although it comes with only 12GB of VRAM.
Ultimately, finding an affordable GPU in 2026 requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to consider alternatives to top-of-the-line models. By following these tips and staying informed about market trends, you can navigate the Great RAMageddon of 2026 and find a graphics card that meets your needs without breaking the bank.
They're just gonna make even more money off us gamers by pricing out all other GPUs on the market, its not like they're doing some kinda experiment or trying to create a GPU monopoly . Anyways, AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT is kinda a good alternative but I wish it was cheaper 
I mean, what's the point of upgrading if you're not gonna go all out? And don't even get me started on AMD's Radeon RX 9060 XT being "one of the best mainstream options available" ... like its a consolation prize or something. Can't we just have a GPU that costs under $100 and still delivers sick performance? 
. For those still rocking older GPUs, I feel you, why bother upgrading when it's not worth the headache? 
Is it like they're still working but just can't be used by anyone? 
it's like we're trapped in a never-ending cycle of consumption, always chasing the next upgrade, without stopping to consider the cost on our wallets and our sanity... 
I guess that's just the price we pay for living in a world where technology is advancing at an insane rate... 
- almost impossible. Just stick with your old one or wait it out, that's my advice 
.
it was so beautiful! We saw geysers, hot springs, and all sorts of wildlife. I even tried hiking for the first time and it was a blast! 
but anyway, back to these GPU shortages... have you guys ever tried playing video games at night with no lights on? It's like a whole different world 
OMG can u believe this shortage is getting crazy? like i need a new gpu for my gaming rig and i'm stuck searching for weeks... 
just wanna know if i'm the only one suffering from gpu drought 
As of Jan 2025, NVIDIA's revenue from GPUs was like $12 billion 
. I did a search and found out that in Q4 2024, global GPU sales reached an all-time high of 27.6 million units 
! Meanwhile, AMD's Ryzen 7000 series CPU sales were like 25% higher than expected 
. On the bright side, the current market is creating some awesome deals for those who are willing to take a risk on older models 
.