How Much Will The RTX 5090 Cost? The Answer Is – A Lot

Caitlyn Pauley

RTX 50 Series

The excitement surrounding new high-performance graphics cards is always intense, particularly when it involves flagship models like Nvidia’s upcoming RTX 50 series lineup. And usually, with any major release, the #1 question on everyone’s mind is the price of the flagship model (in this case the RTX 5090). Understanding the factors that influence the cost of these advanced components and looking at different leaks from manufacturers offers valuable insight into what we might be expected to pay.

The price of top-tier hardware is usually more than just a number; it reflects technological advancements, market dynamics, and the perceived value of high performance. With recent NVIDIA cards, stock availability has also been a big issue so take every price you see with a grain of salt – as actually getting your hands on a card could cost you much more.

As fans prepare for what promises to be an exciting launch, NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 and 5080 are set to redefine performance expectations in the graphics card market, albeit at a hefty price. Anticipated MSRPs are around $2,000 – $2,600 for RTX 5090 and $1,500 – $1,900 for the 5080 depending on the configuration.

The steep price increases might ease availability a bit by reducing demand, but it still means that you’ll have to consider the significant investment against the powerful advancements that these GPUs promise to deliver.

NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU
NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU

While we await final specifications and pricing details from NVIDIA, one thing is clear: 2025 is poised to be a critical year for high-performance graphics, with NVIDIA leading the way.

How Much Will The NVIDIA RTX 5090 Cost?

Recent leaks have fueled significant discussions about the pricing of NVIDIA’s anticipated GeForce RTX 5090, as well as lower models such as RTX 5080. Both graphics cards are expected to be announced on CES 2025 and launched early in the year.

Most reports from credible leakers are pointing to the the Nvidia RTX 5090 costing around $1,899 to $1,999 (MSRP), which is significantly higher than the current RTX 4090 price. Some speculation is suggesting that certain high-end models might even reach as high as $2,600. 

Key points about the RTX 5090 price estimates:

  • High-end price tag: As Nvidia’s flagship card, the 5090 is expected to be very expensive. 
  • No official confirmation: Nvidia has not yet officially announced the price of the RTX 5090.

Previous Generation Pricing

Looking back at past flagship cards gives us a starting point. The RTX 4090 launched at $1,599. The RTX 3090 had a launch price of $1,499. These numbers give a general range for what we might expect and show that NVIDIA is raising prices with each series – but the jump up in the 5090 pricing seems to be much more dramatic.

Performance Expectations

The RTX 5090 is anticipated to deliver a significant performance improvement compared to the RTX 4090. This increase in power will likely be reflected in its pricing. Generally, larger performance enhancements lead to higher costs. Additionally, the overall condition of the tech market and competition from AMD will also influence the price. If demand is high and supply is limited, prices may rise. Conversely, strong competition could result in more competitive pricing.

Taking all these factors into account, it’s reasonable to expect the RTX 5090 to cost somewhere close to that $2,000 estimate. This is especially true considering AMD is not expected to offer strong competition at the highest end and Intel is currently only focused on the entry-level market. If the cards do sell out quickly (as expected) you would be looking at a secondary market as high as $2,500-$3,000 for those same $2000 MSRP cards.

Comparison of Flagship Launch Prices

Here’s a table showing the launch prices of recent Nvidia flagship cards:

CardLaunch Price (USD)
RTX 3090$1,499
RTX 3090 Ti$1,999
RTX 4090$1,599
RTX 5090 (Estimated)$1,999

Additional Considerations

It’s important to remember that these are just estimates. Several other things could affect the final price. These include:

  • Manufacturing costs: Increased costs for components or manufacturing could push prices up.
  • Currency exchange rates: Changes in currency values can influence pricing in different regions.
  • Retailer markups: Retailers often add their own markup to the price, which can vary.

We’ll have to wait for an official announcement from Nvidia to know the exact price. Until then, these estimations give us a reasonable idea of what to expect.

Short Summary:

  • The RTX 5090 is rumored to be priced at around $2,000 (Base-Model, MSRP)
  • Some models could reach $2,600 (for high-end custom models)
  • The secondary (re-sale) market will be significantly higher for the 5090 series if demand is as expected
  • Official announcements and launches are expected during CES 2025, with possible changes before release.

As we eagerly await the next generation of NVIDIA graphics cards, recent pricing leaks for the GeForce RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 have emerged, creating both excitement and concern among computer enthusiasts. These revelations hint at marked increases from the previous models, leading to speculation about NVIDIA’s strategic shift in targeting professional users alongside gamers.

According to credible sources, including recognized hardware leaker @wnxod, the expected launch timeframe for these new cards is January 2025. The predicted pricing suggests that the RTX 5080 could see an MSRP of around $1,350 (which is not likely due to how low the pricing is) and the RTX 5090 may command a staggering $2,600, which would mostly be for high-end custom cards. More realistic estimates put the cards in the range of $1,500 – $1,600 for the RTX 5080 and $1,900 – $2,000 for the RTX 5090.

The “Chinese Leak”

The main discussion right now is from a picture that leaked out of a chinese manufacturer that showed the RTX 5080 priced at 9,999 RMB in China, which translates to about $1,369.95 in USD (which seems very low compared to other rumors).

Meanwhile, the RTX 5090’s anticipated figure of 18,999 RMB, equating to the previously mentioned $2,600, suggests a massive 46% hike from the RTX 4090. That number seems pretty high but could be reflective of a higher-level customized release version.

Performance Specifications and Expectations

Beyond pricing, the specifications of these upcoming GPUs have also incited a flurry of rumors, enhancing interest among tech aficionados. The RTX 5080 is rumored to feature:

  • CUDA Cores: 10,752
  • Memory: 16 GB GDDR7
  • Memory Speed: 32 Gbps
  • Total Board Power (TBP): 400W

For the flagship RTX 5090, expectations are even higher:

  • CUDA Cores: 21,760
  • Memory: 32 GB GDDR7
  • Memory Speed: 32 Gbps
  • Total Board Power (TBP): 600W

The architectural updates are predicted to deliver enhanced performance benchmarks across various applications, from gaming to AI and ray tracing computations. This change appears to be a deliberate shift on NVIDIA’s part, targeting not just gamers but also professionals who require top-tier computational power.

Looming Competition

As NVIDIA gears up for its launch, it faces a unique situation. With AMD and Intel making strides in the graphics card space, NVIDIA seems poised to elevate its pricing while also potentially elevating performance. Industry experts predict that the mid-range offerings from the RTX 5000 series may remain more affordable to maintain competitiveness.

Recent articulations indicate that while the flagship models of the series are aimed at the premium segment, the RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti are expected to target budget-conscious consumers. This might help NVIDIA maintain its market share against its competitors.

“As seen in the past, NVIDIA has had success maintaining dominance in the higher-end market while balancing their offerings for the average gamer,” said industry analyst Mark Tanner.

Future Unfolding

With CES 2025 approaching, NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang is expected to showcase the new lineup during his keynote presentation. The event will be a critical platform for the company to announce final pricing details, specifications, and the overall strategy for their latest offerings. Many anticipate that NVIDIA may stagger the release of the RTX 5090 and 5080, prioritizing the more budget-friendly RTX 5080 while potentially implementing an aggressive marketing strategy for the 5090.

The surprises are not confined to the high-end models; the mid-range RTX 5070 and 5060 series cards are also expected to be released later in 2025, potentially at more competitive price points. The market will be closely watching for updates as consumers weigh the decision to invest in these expensive models or wait for potentially more affordable options.