▼ Summary
– Central Computers has informed subscribers about a limited stock of AMD graphics cards with significant price increases.
– The GPU shortage has returned, causing inflated prices for both AMD and Nvidia cards across major US retailers and eBay.
– Retailers have already adjusted prices in anticipation of these changes, with many “MSRP” models of AMD cards showing significant price hikes.
Central Computers, one of Silicon Valley’s few remaining specialized computer stores, recently informed its subscribers about a limited stock of AMD graphics cards. Today, I was notified that a $600 Radeon RX 9070 XT is available for purchase at $850, reflecting a $250 price increase.
This situation isn’t unique to Central Computers. A quick survey of major US retailers and eBay reveals that the GPU shortage has made a comeback. Prices for AMD cards are inflated by $100, $200, $250, and even $280. The Nvidia RTX 5080’s street price has soared to over $1,500, which is $500 above its MSRP. The RTX 5090, known as the most powerful consumer GPU, is currently unavailable even at $3,000, significantly above its $2,000 MSRP.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of current GPU street prices as of April 2025:
| GPU Model | MSRP | Average eBay Street Price (Mar-Apr) | Best Retail Price (April 25) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT | $599 | $957 | $880 |
| AMD Radeon RX 9070 | $549 | $761 | $835 |
| Nvidia RTX 5090 | $1,999 | $3,871 | $3,140 |
| Nvidia RTX 5080 | $999 | $1,533 | $1,390 |
| Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti | $749 | $1,052 | $825 |
| Nvidia RTX 5070 | $549 | $715 | $610 |
The “Best retail price” listed reflects the minimum observed price for these GPUs on April 25th.
These price hikes cannot solely be attributed to tariffs. As early as March, retailers were already inflating prices of AMD’s entry-level MSRP models. Additionally, the low volume of transactions on eBay suggests that high demand isn’t the primary factor either. Over the past month, only about 1,100 new Nvidia GPUs and around 266 new AMD GPUs were listed on the platform.
However, tariffs may soon have a more significant impact. Starting May 2nd, the de minimis exemption will end, meaning shipments worth $800 or less will be subject to tax, likely increasing prices further. Retailers like Shein and Temu have already adjusted their prices in preparation for these changes.
A closer examination of the “MSRP” models of AMD cards reveals the following price trends:
| AMD “MSRP” Model | MSRP | Newegg (April 25) | Micro Center (April 25) | eBay Street Price (past 30 days) | Units on eBay (past 30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerColor Reaper 9070 XT | $599 | $699 | $799 | $755 | 6 |
| Sapphire Pulse 9070 XT | $599 | $879 | $849 | $879 | 39 |
| XFX Swift 9070 XT | $599 | $839 | $829 | $949 | 2 |
| ASRock Steel Legend 9070 XT | $599 | $699 | $699 | $892 | 32 |
| Gigabyte Gaming 9070 XT | $599 | $659 | N/A | $913 | 32 |
| PowerColor Reaper 9070 | $549 | $699 | $679 | $765 | 4 |
| Sapphire Pulse 9070 | $549 | $669 | $789 | $771 | 7 |
| XFX Swift OC 9070 | $549 | $639 | $749 | $746 | 25 |
| ASRock Challenger 9070 | $549 | $549 | $609 | $880 | 1 |
| Gigabyte Gaming OC 9070 | $549 | $669 | $669 | $893 | 36 |
These prices are averages based on eBay listings over the past month.
Newegg and Micro Center were chosen for this comparison due to their extensive range of models. Amazon and Best Buy also listed “MSRP” 9070 XT cards at $800 and $850, respectively, and an $830 card at Best Buy. However, many of these cards are currently out of stock, reflecting these new sticker prices rather than readily available options.
(Source: The Verge)
