HardwareDesktop PCsI’d hold off on buying a graphics card right now, but not because the RTX 5090 is comingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareDesktop PCsI’d hold off on buying a graphics card right now, but not because the RTX 5090 is comingWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
It feels like thebest graphics cardoptions have been allergic to discounts for a while. Perhaps that’s a symptom of the long stint of inflated prices we had to deal with a few years ago, which made grabbing a GPU at MSRP near impossible. We’re absolutely in a better place since that fiasco, especially with the crypto mining craze done and dusted, but I can’t help but feel card makers could do more when it comes to deals.
Just to clarify, I’m not saying graphics card deals are non-existent, and I’ve managed to spot a few decent discounts this year alone. However, I still don’t feel like enough price cuts are happening as we approach the end of the current generation. Traditionally, GPUs tend to get a bit more affordable when newbies are on the cards, but despite constant rumors relating to theNvidia GeForce RTX 5090and its kin, I’ve yet to see any savings that feel appropriate.
MSRP Problems
(Image credit: Future)
For context, the cheapest RTX 4090 I can see right now at Amazonis $1,701.80for a PNY Verto model. It’s technically down from $1,849.99, but considering the card’s MSRP is $1,599, it’s hardly what I’d call a real saving.
On theAMDside of things, discounts seem to be a little more common, and the red team’s flagshipRX 7900 XTXdid manage to drop to a remarkable $799 just last month. That’s absolutely the sort of deal I want to see on these top-tier GPUs at this stage, and I genuinely don’t feel like it’s a big ask two years into a generation. Yet, plenty of vendors are still asking for over $1,000 for this same GPU, which makes it feel like only some AIB partners like XFX care about facilitating offers.
(Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)
Yes, I hear you – deals on premium GPUs don’t matter if you’ve got a smaller budget. For what it’s worth, you are more likely to find discounts on entry-level and mid-range graphics cards than anything near the top end. Are theygooddeals? Well, occasionally, but we’re still seeing prices hovering around MSRP in the guise of some sort of price cut.
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Let’s use the GeForce RTX 4060 as an example, as the GPU is one of the more affordable current-gen models at $299. At least, it would be that price if any manufacturers had standard variants, but we’re instead seeing versions with triple cooling fansfor $304.99(down from $339). I’ve spent enough time with a dual fan 4060 to know that most players aren’t going to need the extra cooling, so I’m not sure why cardmakers aren’t at least making basic models available at MSRP. It honestly wouldn’t take much to impress me. Knock $20 off the RTX 4060’s MSRP and I’ll be all over it.
How long should you wait?
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Of course, all of this depends on the MSRP of new cards. If the RTX 5090 rolls up with a much higher price tag than its 4090 predecessor, manufacturers may be less compelled to cut prices. After all, the Lovelace card will look like a bargain without even trying if the new flagship costs a chunk more, which means nothing will really happen to prices come the new generation.
(Image credit: Nvidia)
The above all sounds pretty morbid from a GPU deal standpoint, and I’m aware that things can change quickly. From where I’m standing, the whole thing feels like a “wait and see” scenario, especially when it comes to flagship 4K GPUs. I’ll naturally be checking regularly for any real discounts and sharing them with you, but if you’ve got a card that can run the latest games right now without too many caveats, I’d put the brakes on any potential upgrades.
On the flipside, if you’re building a gaming PC right now and want to ride out 2024 with a decent build, I’d personally stick with the entry-level to mid-range cards for now. You can plan the rest of your rig to suit higher specs with DDR5 RAM and a powerful CPU, but using something like anRTX 4070will keep you from spending over $1,000 and mean you can upgrade to something more premium when prices become acceptable.
If you go with that latter approach and end up with a RTX 4090 rig for substantially less come 2025, come back and let me know!
Today’s best graphics card dealsGeForce RTX 4070 Super$609.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7600$259.99ViewSee all pricesAcer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC$364.55ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7800 XT$519.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card dealsGeForce RTX 4070 Super$609.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7600$259.99ViewSee all pricesAcer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC$364.55ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7800 XT$519.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card dealsGeForce RTX 4070 Super$609.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7600$259.99ViewSee all pricesAcer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC$364.55ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7800 XT$519.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best graphics card deals
GeForce RTX 4070 Super$609.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7600$259.99ViewSee all pricesAcer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC$364.55ViewSee all pricesNvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all pricesAMD Radeon RX 7800 XT$519.99ViewSee all prices
GeForce RTX 4070 Super$609.99ViewSee all prices
GeForce RTX 4070 Super$609.99ViewSee all prices
GeForce RTX 4070 Super
GeForce RTX 4070 Super
$609.99View
$609.99
$609.99
See all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7600$259.99ViewSee all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7600$259.99ViewSee all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7600
AMD Radeon RX 7600
$259.99View
$259.99
$259.99
See all prices
Acer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC$364.55ViewSee all prices
Acer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC$364.55ViewSee all prices
Acer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
Acer BiFrost AMD Radeon RX 7600 OC
$364.55View
$364.55
$364.55
See all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super$1,099.99ViewSee all prices
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
$1,099.99View
$1,099.99
$1,099.99
See all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT$519.99ViewSee all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT$519.99ViewSee all prices
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
$519.99View
$519.99
$519.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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