AMD and NVIDIA to Raise Graphics Card Prices in Multiple Waves — First Wave Hits December 2025

Consumers planning to upgrade their graphics cards soon might want to hurry their decision. Market conditions are shaping up to cause a noticeable rise in retail GPU prices over the next year. NVIDIA and AMD have already sent notifications to partners about several planned price increases, set to begin in December 2025 and continue into January-February 2026.

The main reason cited is the sharp rise in cost for GDDR6 and GDDR7 memory chips. According to supply chain sources, prices from Samsung, Micron, and SK hynix have risen so much in recent months that memory's share of a finished card's production cost (typically 30–40%) is now critically impacting the final price.

It is reported that AMD will adjust its wholesale prices for partners on certain models. Starting mid-December, models with 8GB of memory will see an increase of approximately $20, while 16GB versions will go up by around $40. By the end of Q1 2026, the total markup on popular 16GB cards could exceed $80–$100 compared to current levels. AMD has also officially confirmed that no new desktop graphics cards are expected in 2027. The company will focus on refining and promoting its already released lineups.

NVIDIA is also preparing steps to adapt to the new component costs. To minimize a sharp price shock for end buyers, the company will likely implement price increases in stages. The first adjustment could come by the end of this year, with another following in early 2026.

Experts note that after a period of relative stability, the GPU market is entering another phase of uncertainty. Buyers who were considering an upgrade should now watch the situation more closely, as the familiar pricing landscape is about to shift.