Sources speaking to The Information, behind a subscription barrier, reveal that Nvidia plans to skip releasing fresh consumer-grade graphics processors in 2026. This includes shelving or scrapping the anticipated RTX 50 Super refresh.
Should this information hold up, it would mark the longest stretch in recent memory without Nvidia unveiling a new gaming-oriented GPU for a full calendar year. Furthermore, the forthcoming RTX 60 lineup, once expected late in 2027 based on speculation, faces postponement as well.
These developments stem from the ongoing worldwide shortage of memory components and Nvidia's pivot toward artificial intelligence processors designed for data centers, where market needs remain extraordinarily strong.
In 2022, consumer graphics cards for gaming contributed about 35 percent to Nvidia's total earnings, dropping to roughly 8 percent by 2025. In contrast, AI-focused chips boast profit margins nearing 65 percent, far exceeding the 40 percent seen with traditional graphics hardware.
The surge in demand for RAM fueled by AI applications has driven up costs across various tech items, prompting computer manufacturers to forecast increases of at least 20 percent in personal computer pricing. Analysts anticipate this supply crunch could persist for months or possibly longer. Only recently, Valve pointed to the global memory debacle as the cause for pushing back its eagerly awaited Steam Machine debut.