The new graphics cards like RTX 3080 and RX 6800 (XT) are currently hardly available. However, the prices for old graphics cards are also rising significantly and suddenly gaining in value. What is the reason for this and what are the current prices for the newer models?
Since the beginning of 2020, many people, also due to the strong Corona restrictions, have turned to gaming and are contributing strong numbers to 2 types of online games. Therefore, it is not surprising that interest in corresponding gaming hardware is now also increasing. Graphics cards play a particularly large role here, as they are designed to bring games with high details to the screen.
What types of graphics cards are there? With the RX-6000 series from AMD and the RX-3000 series from Nvidia, there have been new high-end graphics cards available since late 2020. These are primarily aimed at gamers interested in 4K performance. In addition, there are two other types of graphics cards that are interesting for many gamers:
- Full HD cards: For casual gamers, MOBA players, and most eSports titles, Full HD cards are currently powerful enough to play most games with high details. Here, particularly older models play a big role.
- WQHD cards: Players who, for example, place value on high FPS in Full HD for fast shooters or simply want to game in WQHD. Since 2019, there are some alternatives for players with AMD’s 5000 series and Nvidia’s Super Refresh.
This is how we proceeded: MeinMMO has taken a look at the current prices of interesting graphics cards in this article. We have looked at the current prices (as of 25.01.2021) from various suppliers and comparison platforms. In our article, we present to you
- various graphics cards in a price comparison from the entry-level and mid-range.
- Then we take a look at the used market analysis from GameStar.
- Finally, we check how the prices of the latest graphics cards like RX 6800 (XT) and RTX 3080 look.
Graphics card oldies experience a second spring
Especially the older models from previous years are in high demand. These include AMD’s 400/500 series and Nvidia’s GTX 1000 generation. Many are also interested in the RX 5500 (XT) from AMD.
This is the situation with AMD: Looking at the price development of graphics cards over the past 3 months, it is noticeable that the prices have risen significantly, especially since the end of 2020. Especially old graphics cards are currently gaining enormous value: Prices for the RX 580 are currently rising sharply among various retailers and providers and are currently about as high as they were at their release.
In addition to the old Polaris cards, the RX 5500 cards are also in high demand. These cards represent the successor generation of the RX 570/580. Here too, a noticeable increase in prices can be observed.
In late October, one could still get an RX 5500 (XT) for around 200 euros; currently (as of 26.1.2021), one pays around 250 euros for the card. That’s a price increase of 25%.
This is the situation with Nvidia: Looking at the prices of the GTX 1650 Super over the past 3 months, one notices, similar to the competition, that prices have noticeably risen since October.
Whereas prices for various models were between 150 and 180 euros in the summer and early autumn, all models are currently beyond the 200 euro mark.
RX 5700 XT and RTX 2060 are also in high demand
In July 2019, there was a lot of new technology for gaming enthusiasts, as AMD released its RX 5700 (XT) and Nvidia its Super graphics cards like the RTX 2080 Super. This allowed particularly fans of the WQHD area to enjoy plenty of performance.
This is the current situation: Similar to entry-level models, prices are also rising in the WQHD area. Here the prices are partially rising even more sharply.
Especially for particularly popular models of the RX 5700 XT since December 2020, a noticeable price increase can be observed. Normally, the graphics cards cost around 350 euros, currently (as of 25.01.2021), prices are between 500 – 600 euros, making them about twice the price.
With Nvidia, the situation is not much different. Here too, prices for older WQHD graphics cards are rising. Especially the prices of the RTX 2000 generation and the Super versions are increasing significantly. The RTX 2000 series are already discontinued models (via 3dcenter.org), which are actually being replaced by the RTX 3000 models.
In the WQHD area, prices are rising slightly stronger than in the mid-range and entry-level sectors. Both the RTX 2060 and the RX 5700 (XT) currently cost around 500 euros new as well as used, significantly exceeding the old MSRP.
MeinMMO-PCs mit Radeon 6900XT kaufen
MeinMMO-PCs mit Ryzen 9 5900X & Radeon RX 6900XT für Multitasking, 4K-Gaming mit hohen Frameraten und anspruchsvolle Anwendungen. Die Verfügbarkeit der 6900 XT ist jedoch begrenzt.
RX 570, GTX 1650 – What does the used market look like?
GameStar has looked at the used graphics card market and assessed the latest sales on the Ebay trading platform. Prices have risen sharply since November 2020. The Radeon RX 580 is at the top with a price increase of 77.6%:
The review of the numbers we have determined shows that prices for graphics cards on Ebay have increased significantly since November 2020. On average, the increase is almost 30 percent, particularly strongly affecting AMD models and the GTX 1000 series from Nvidia.
Source: GameStar.de
The rising prices also apply to the following models:
- Radeon RX Vega 56
- Radeon RX Vega 64
- Radeon RX 580 (8.0 GByte)
- Radeon RX 570 (4.0 GByte)
- RTX 2060
- GTX 1080 Ti
- GTX 1080
- GTX 1070
If you hope to save money by opting for a used graphics card instead of buying new, you are currently also paying significantly more. On the other hand, you can currently make a good profit if you sell your old graphics card. You can read the entire article from GameStar:
If you sell your old graphics card now, you earn more than ever
RTX 3080, RX 6800 (XT): What do prices and availability look like?
This is the situation with the new items: The new graphics cards from AMD and Nvidia are currently in high demand. The RTX 3000 series and the new Radeon models are currently hardly available:
- The RTX 3080 was sold out within minutes and is being sold at high prices on Ebay.
- The availability of the RTX 3070 was very limited right from the start and has not really improved.
- Even smaller graphics cards like the RTX 3060 Ti were sold out within minutes. Here, however, there are officially larger quantities than for the high-end models.
- AMD’s RX 6800 was also quickly sold out. Those interested are currently also waiting for a restock. The RX 6900 XT is currently also hardly available or being sold at inflated prices.
The price increase is not only affecting graphics cards: For example, ASUS has announced that it will raise prices for PC components from 2021.
Graphics Card Availability: That’s why you need a lot of patience in 2021
Currently, you need a lot of patience when buying a graphics card, as many GPUs are either completely sold out or only available at very high prices. This is at least shown by samples from particularly popular models and graphics card series from various manufacturers:
- Old graphics cards are in high demand but are no longer manufactured, thus reaching their “end of life”.
- For modern graphics cards, demand is significantly higher than the supply from manufacturers. This has led to prices being significantly higher than in mid-2020.
If you want to buy a graphics card right now, you’ll need a lot of patience until either prices drop significantly or you have the chance at a good offer, which comes up from time to time.
When will availability improve? Currently, there doesn’t seem to be any signs that the graphics card market will improve in the coming months. There are several reasons for this:
- On the one hand, availability is severely restricted due to the Corona pandemic, and production is lower.
- On the other hand, crypto mining is becoming interesting for many users again. Graphics cards are also needed for this.
Other folks, like a German programmer, have already made a lot of Bitcoins, but now they only have 2 attempts to get their 222 million euros.
