Graphics card enthusiasts face disappointing news as both NVIDIA and AMD prepare potential price increases across their GPU lineups starting Q1 2026, possibly as early as December 2025. The culprit? A severe DRAM shortage driven by insatiable AI industry demand that’s pushed memory chip prices up nearly 90%.
GPU Price Increase Timeline & Impact
| Memory Type | Current Price Trend | Impact on GPUs | Expected Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DDR5 RAM | +171% year-over-year | Indirect (market pressure) | Already affecting consumers |
| GDDR6 | +30% (from $2.50 to $3.30/GB) | AMD, Intel GPUs | Q1 2026 (possibly December) |
| GDDR7 | Rising (exact figures unclear) | NVIDIA RTX 50 series | Q1 2026 (possibly December) |
Chinese Board Channel forums report that NVIDIA and AMD have already confirmed to manufacturing partners that GDDR procurement costs will increase significantly. While neither company has issued official statements, industry sources suggest price adjustments could arrive in December 2025 or January 2026—ending the brief period where GPUs sold below MSRP.
Why DRAM Prices Are Skyrocketing
The AI boom is consuming memory manufacturing capacity at unprecedented rates. Data centers deploying NVIDIA H100 and H200 GPUs for AI workloads prioritize high-bandwidth HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and advanced DRAM chips, directly competing with consumer-grade GDDR6/GDDR7 production.
DRAM contract prices surged 171.8% year-over-year as of Q3 2025—outpacing even gold’s 88% increase during the same period. For context, a DDR5 RAM kit that cost ₹7,000 in July 2025 now sells for approximately ₹14,000-₹18,000, with some modules nearly tripling in price.
What This Means for GPU Pricing
Current estimates suggest GDDR6’s 30% price increase could add ₹2,000-₹3,500 to mid-range GPU costs, while high-end cards with 16GB VRAM might see ₹5,000-₹8,000 increases. If DRAM prices triple—a scenario analysts don’t rule out—GPUs could become ₹15,000-₹25,000 more expensive across the board.
The timing hurts particularly because NVIDIA and AMD GPUs recently started selling at or below MSRP for the first time in years. Reports suggest NVIDIA may even delay its GeForce RTX 50 “SUPER” series launch due to memory shortages, potentially prioritizing professional and workstation segments with higher profit margins.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
If you’re planning a GPU upgrade, act quickly. Current inventory was manufactured using memory purchased under older, lower-priced contracts. Once that stock depletes, new batches will reflect the dramatically higher GDDR costs. GPU vendors typically sign multi-month contracts with memory suppliers, meaning some existing stock remains reasonably priced—but not for long.
Industry insiders warn the shortage could persist through late 2026, with ADATA chairman Chen Libai describing Q4 2025 as the start of a “DRAM bull market.” Memory manufacturers prioritize lucrative AI server chips over consumer products, creating sustained supply constraints.
For Indian buyers, this compounds with existing import duties and GST, potentially pushing flagship GPUs well beyond ₹1,50,000 if prices rise as projected. Budget and mid-range segments will feel the squeeze most acutely.
For GPU availability updates and pricing alerts, check the NVIDIA India website and stay informed with tech news at Tech2Sports.
FAQs
When will NVIDIA and AMD increase GPU prices?
Price hikes are expected in Q1 2026, possibly starting as early as December 2025, according to manufacturing partner communications.
How much will GPU prices increase in India?
Estimates suggest ₹2,000-₹8,000 increases for current models depending on VRAM capacity, with potential for higher jumps if DRAM prices continue rising.
