Nvidia Faces Backlash Over Leaked Pricing for RTX 5000 GPUs

Reports suggest that the flagship RTX 5090 could carry a hefty price tag between $1,999 and $2,499, a considerable increase compared to the current RTX 4090 models. Additionally, the RTX 5080 is expected to retail between $1,199 and $1,499, with the RTX 5070 starting from $599. This leaked pricing has sparked outrage within the gaming community, with many concerned about Nvidia’s strategy amidst fierce competition from AMD and Intel TechRadar.

Nvidia’s Market Strategy and Competitive Landscape

Nvidia’s strategy with the RTX 5000 series seems to reflect an attempt to maintain its dominance in the high-end GPU market. However, the aggressive pricing risks alienating gamers, especially as AMD continues to offer competitive alternatives at more affordable prices. Nvidia’s move has drawn comparisons to the premium pricing trends of consumer electronics, which some argue is unsustainable given the saturation of the PC gaming market.

These rumored prices also coincide with Nvidia’s ambitions to corner the market on AI workloads, positioning the new RTX 5000 GPUs as versatile tools for both gaming and AI development. However, this dual-purpose approach risks frustrating Nvidia’s traditional gaming audience, who may view the GPUs as over-engineered and excessively expensive for gaming alone​ TechRadar.

Photo: Michael DiMarco for Envint Media

The Community’s Response and Industry Speculation

Leaked pricing has led to heated discussions on forums and social media platforms, with many gamers and content creators questioning Nvidia’s rationale. Moore’s Law is Dead, a prominent industry insider, has suggested that Nvidia’s pricing strategy is influenced by a focus on professional users rather than gamers. The company’s pivot toward AI and data center applications could be reshaping its consumer offerings, with higher-end cards increasingly being targeted at professionals using AI models rather than casual gamers.

What’s Next for Nvidia?

As Nvidia gears up for the official launch of the RTX 5000 series, it faces the challenge of balancing innovation and affordability. With rumors of the RTX 5090 launching at over $2,000, Nvidia will need to justify the steep cost by demonstrating substantial improvements in performance, efficiency, and software integration. Additionally, it will be crucial for Nvidia to manage community expectations to prevent backlash from eroding customer trust.

Whether Nvidia adjusts its strategy before the official launch remains to be seen. Analysts predict that if Nvidia maintains these high prices, AMD and Intel could seize the opportunity to attract disenchanted consumers by offering more budget-friendly alternatives​ TechRadar.