NVIDIA is facing challenges with their mid-range RTX 50 GPUs as they grapple with a chip supply shortage amid soaring demand.
NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series Supply Chain is Struggling; Possible Launch Delays for Mid-Range GPUs
The launch of NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series GPUs has been somewhat problematic. The company initially had a very limited inventory for their flagship GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 GPUs. This scarcity can be attributed to the current global peak in semiconductor demand, which doesn’t seem to be easing anytime soon.
Renowned leaker @mingchikuo has hinted that NVIDIA might delay the launch of their mid-range RTX 50 GPUs by about a month. This delay would allow the supply chain some much-needed breathing room.
Gamers and power users are eagerly waiting for the RTX 5090 and 5080, but ongoing chip supply constraints are causing shortages. These supply issues could push the mass production of the RTX 5070/5060 from its original February/March timeline to March/April, with limited supplies potentially leading to quick sell-outs. — Ming-Chi Kuo (@mingchikuo), February 12, 2025
We’ve looked into this situation earlier today, confirming that the RTX 5070 launch is now expected in early March. Ming-Chi Kuo’s comments support this shift. It’s clear that NVIDIA is struggling to meet the current demand for its products. If they proceed with launching new models, it could lead to rapid sell-outs, disappointing consumers further.
To give you an idea of how dire the supply chain is, user @kakashiii111 points out that Taiwan received fewer than 100 units of the RTX 5090, despite being a key market for NVIDIA. Similar scenarios have played out in various regions, with retailers reporting “single-digit” stock of the flagship RTX Blackwell GPU. NVIDIA is struggling to get a grip on the supply-demand disparity, and we anticipate it will take several months to stabilize.
After conversations with one of Taiwan’s largest retailers, it was revealed their huge chain got just 20 units of the RTX 5090 and 300 of the RTX 5080 last week in their initial shipment. Many smaller sellers in Taiwan were lucky to receive 1-2 units each… — Kakashii (@kakashiii111), February 9, 2025
Postponing the mid-range GPU release might actually play to NVIDIA’s advantage. If they manage to pull off a successful launch, they could overshadow AMD’s RX 9070 series GPUs. However, with the current sentiment leaning against NVIDIA, AMD holds a solid chance to seize the mainstream GPU market with their RX 9070 offerings.
