If you've been patiently saving your pennies for a big GPU upgrade with Nvidia's next-generation cards, you might need to practice a little more patience. Recent rumors swirling online suggested that the highly anticipated RTX 50 Super lineup had been outright cancelled. But now, a reliable source is stepping in to clear the air, and while the news isn't all bad, it does mean a longer wait for gamers.
The Rumor Mill Grinds to a Halt, Then Restarts
The initial wave of concern started with whispers about a severe shortage of 3 GB GDDR7 memory modules, a key component for the new Super cards. This led to speculation that Nvidia was pulling the plug on the entire RTX 50 Super family.
However, noted hardware leaker @Zed__Wang quickly chimed in to correct the record. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), the leaker clarified that the lineup has not been cancelled, but has instead been pushed back significantly. This is a crucial piece of good news for one main reason: the RTX 50 Super series is expected to deliver a much-needed, substantial increase in VRAM across the board, a relief for gamers tackling increasingly demanding titles.
You can see the leaker's initial clarification here, where he directly addresses the cancellation claims: https://x.com/Zed__Wang/status/1986837279831433277
A New, Crowded Timeline for Gamers
So, when can we expect these new cards? According to the new information, the release of the RTX 5070 Super, RTX 5070 Ti Super, and RTX 5080 Super has been shifted to sometime in Q3 of 2026. This is a notable delay from their originally rumored unveiling at CES in January 2026.
This new timeline creates a fascinating and slightly awkward scenario for Nvidia. A Q3 2026 release puts the RTX 50 Super cards on shelves just a handful of months before the expected launch of the next-generation RTX 60 series, which, if Nvidia sticks to its traditional two-year cycle, would be announced at CES 2027.
As the leaker further elaborated in a follow-up post, this creates a very compressed launch window: https://x.com/Zed__Wang/status/1986883454467002826
Could the RTX 60 Series Also Be Delayed?
The plot thickens when considering the root cause of this delay. The ongoing memory shortage is compounded by the immense, industry-wide demand for AI computing power, which is consuming a significant share of advanced manufacturing capacity. This same pressure could very well impact the subsequent generation.
@Zed__Wang opines that this could potentially push the RTX 60 series launch as far back as 2028, though they believe that to be an unlikely worst-case scenario. A more probable outcome is that Nvidia will announce the next-gen GPUs at CES 2027 but stagger their retail availability over the following months if supply chain issues persist.
For the latest speculation on how this affects the RTX 60 series, you can find the leaker's thoughts here: https://x.com/Zed__Wang/status/1986837551332925732
A Warning for Current-Gen Buyers
Amidst all the future-gazing, the leaker also offered a critical piece of advice for those shopping in the current market. If you have your eye on the RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB variant, you might want to pull the trigger soon.
The same GDDR7 memory shortage affecting future Super cards is expected to soon impact the supply of this specific model, making it increasingly difficult to find on shelves. For gamers who need more than 8GB or 12GB of VRAM, securing one now could save a lot of hassle later.
The Bottom Line
While it's disappointing that the RTX 50 Super refresh is facing a lengthy delay, the confirmation that it's still on the way is reassuring. The situation highlights the ongoing complexities in the global tech supply chain, where the booming AI sector is now directly competing with consumer gaming for critical components. For now, gamers are left with a revised calendar and the hope that the eventual VRAM boost will be worth the wait.
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