3 min read
This isn’t just another rumour but a calculated retreat. NVIDIA is preparing to squeeze the life out of the mid-range market, and if you think they’re doing it to “help” you, you’re delusional. They are pivoting to where the money is, and they’re leaving the average gamer in the dust.
Here is the breakdown of the impending VRAM catastrophe.
40% Production Cut by NVIDIA: The Death of the Mid-Range GPU?
The tech world is currently suffocating under a massive DRAM supply crisis. Consequently, rumours from the Board Channels forum suggest NVIDIA will slash gaming GPU production by 30% to 40% in early 2026. This reduction compares to their output levels in early 2025.
While this sounds like a total collapse, the reality is more calculated. NVIDIA and its partners currently have an excess supply of RTX 5050, 5060, and 5070 cards. They ramped up production so aggressively that they now need to correct course. Furthermore, the RAM shortage is killing the overall PC and laptop market. With fewer PCs being shipped, demand for these chips will naturally plummet. NVIDIA isn’t just losing… They are trimming the fat.
The “Super” Strategy by NVIDIA & the 3GB Gamble
Why is NVIDIA really cutting “normal” production? It’s likely a pivot toward the rumoured RTX 50 Super series.
Reports indicate that these “Super” variants will move from standard 2GB GDDR7 modules to 3GB modules. Currently, only Samsung produces these high-density 3GB chips in significant quantities. By cutting production of standard Blackwell cards, NVIDIA can clear the order books and secure Samsung’s limited supply for the more expensive Super models.
This move is pure profit-seeking. For example, an RTX 5070 Ti uses the same number of VRAM chips as an RTX 5080, yet the 5080 sells for over $1,100. In a world of scarce RAM, NVIDIA will always choose the card that makes them more money. This puts 16GB cards like the 5060 Ti and 5070 Ti directly on the chopping block.
OpenAI & the $350 RAM Stick
How did we get here? You can thank OpenAI. Their massive, industry-wide order for DRAM to power AI data centres has sucked the oxygen out of the consumer market.
The fallout is devastating:
- Micron is exiting the consumer RAM and SSD market entirely to focus on enterprise manufacturing.
- Samsung has doubled its contract pricing for brands like Corsair and G.Skill.
- Consumer prices have exploded. A 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 kit that cost $90 in late summer now costs over $350.
What This Means for You
If you are eyeing an upgrade, the window is closing. While mid-range cards are currently in stock, high-end cards like the RTX 5090 are already being hunted by scalpers, with prices hitting $2,800. Even the Nintendo Switch 2, powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra T239 SoC, faces potential price hikes or supply shortages in 2026 due to this crisis.
NVIDIA’s stock is at a record high because they know exactly what they are doing. They aren’t running out of parts… They are choosing to sell those parts to the highest bidder. If that’s not you, prepare to pay the “AI tax” on your next build.
