Nvidia Finally Addresses the RAM Apocalypse
▼ Summary
– Nvidia is introducing a 12GB VRAM configuration of the mobile GeForce RTX 5070 laptop GPU, up from the original 8GB.
– The extra memory uses 24Gb GDDR7 modules from Micron, offering higher bandwidth for gaming.
– The 12GB configuration will exist alongside the 8GB version to give partners more options for RTX 5070 laptops.
– Nvidia did not announce any changes to its desktop-level GPUs, despite price hikes on cards like the RTX 5070 Ti.
– The company is focusing on lower-end laptop GPUs to address rising costs, while higher-end cards remain expensive due to AI-driven memory demand.
For months, the RTX 50-series memory crisis has been a growing problem, with Nvidia seemingly content to let the shortage drive up prices across its lineup. Now, the company is finally offering some relief,but it’s only coming to laptops, and only on the lower end of the stack. While it’s a modest step, it signals a shift in strategy for a company that has watched PC gaming costs spiral out of control.
Nvidia, still dominating the global market thanks to its AI-focused data center chips, has announced a new configuration for the mobile version of its GeForce RTX 5070. The original laptop GPU shipped with just 8GB of VRAM, a limitation that made it struggle with demanding titles at 1440p or 4K resolutions. In a recent blog post, the company confirmed it will now offer a 12GB VRAM variant of the RTX 5070, built using 24Gb GDDR7 memory modules from Micron, which launched in February. This upgrade could give budget gaming laptops,like the Razer Blade 14,a meaningful performance boost.
The full statement from Nvidia reads:
“Demand for GeForce RTX GPUs remains strong, and memory supply is constrained. In order to maximize memory availability, we are releasing the GeForce RTX 5070 Laptop GPU 12GB configuration with 24Gb G7 memory. This gives our partners access to an additional pool of memory to complement the 16Gb G7 supply that currently ships with most GeForce GPUs. The 12GB configuration will exist alongside the current 8GB configuration and allows our partners to bring a broader range of GeForce RTX 5070 laptops to consumers.”
There was no mention of desktop-level GPUs, leaving enthusiasts to wonder if an RTX 5070 Super or other upgraded models are in the pipeline. For now, the desktop RTX 5070 remains at 12GB, while higher-end cards like the RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 continue to suffer from price inflation and supply constraints. Gaming laptops have also become significantly more expensive as a result of the ongoing memory shortage.
By focusing on the entry-level laptop segment, Nvidia can offer some relief to budget-conscious consumers while sidestepping the worst of the VRAM crunch affecting its premium desktop lineup. The company’s RTX 5060 Ti, with 16GB of VRAM, still sells for around $500,just above its $430 MSRP,and handles 1440p gaming well. Meanwhile, the cheapest 4K-capable desktop card, the RTX 5070 Ti, now costs nearly $1,000 online, a full $250 over its suggested price.
The memory shortage, driven largely by AI data center demand, has hit Nvidia and its add-in board partners hard. But if the company wants to keep PC gaming accessible, it needs to do more than offer a single laptop upgrade. Gamers across both laptops and desktops deserve better options, and this small move is a start,but it’s far from enough.
(Source: Gizmodo.com)
